Suniel Shetty says he manifested KL Rahul as his son-in-law, reveals why he didn't cry at Athiya Shetty's bidaai: ‘Even today, I tell my wife we're blessed that...'

Time of India

25-05-2025

has never been shy about expressing his admiration for son-in-law and Indian cricketer
. In a recent interview, the actor revealed that his bond with
may have begun long before the cricketer officially entered the family.
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'Absolutely, it must have been manifestation,' Suniel told Lallantop, responding to a friend's observation that he had willed Rahul into his family. 'My obsession with cricket and with KL Rahul as a young cricketer... You can call Dilip and ask him. He used to ring me during my shoots and say, 'Anna, this guy's got solid batting skills—you were asking, right? Come and watch.''
Suniel shared that he would often skip shoots to watch promising cricketers at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, and Rahul, who shares his Mangalorean roots, caught his attention early on.
At the time, Athiya and Rahul knew each other but hadn't started dating.
The first meeting that left an impression
The actor recalled first meeting KL Rahul in an airport lounge, where the manager told him the cricketer wanted to meet. 'I said I'd go meet him. He was very respectful and humble,' Suniel recounted. 'Somewhere, I must have said to myself, 'He's such a good guy,' so I must have manifested it.'
Later, when his wife Mana informed him that Athiya and Rahul were in a relationship, his immediate reaction was: 'He's a lovely boy.'
Even now, he tells his wife that they are fortunate to have someone as grounded as Rahul in their lives.
Guidance to Athiya and confidence in her choice
Suniel said he had always encouraged Athiya to make her own decision when it came to choosing a life partner. He simply advised her to find someone who would make her happy, preferably someone with humble beginnings who understands the value of relationships.
He also revealed that he didn't cry during Athiya's bidaai.
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'I was confident,' he said. 'She had married someone who would truly keep her happy.'
Suniel Shetty, Sooraj Pancholi Promote Film
A wedding filled with love, a growing family
and KL Rahul got married in an intimate yet luxurious ceremony at Suniel's Khandala farmhouse on 23 January 2023. The couple shared heartfelt photos on Instagram with the caption: 'In your light, I learn how to love... Today, with our most loved ones, we got married in the home that's given us immense joy and serenity. With a heart full of gratitude and love, we seek your blessings on this journey of togetherness.'
The family's joy expanded further in March this year, when Athiya and KL Rahul welcomed their first child, daughter Evaarah.