Suniel Shetty Says Star Kids Face More Pressure Today: 'Everybody Believes They Are A Critic'
Suniel Shetty reflects on the evolving film industry, stating that star kids today face more pressure than before due to fierce competition and constant public scrutiny.
Having spent over three decades in the film industry, Suniel Shetty has worn many hats — from being the quintessential action hero of the '90s to dabbling in negative roles and now thriving in the OTT space. As he gears up for the release of Hunter Season 2, the veteran actor opened up in an interview with Hindustan Times about the shifting landscape of Bollywood, especially for newcomers.
Shetty, who carved his place in the industry without a filmi background, recalled facing resistance in his early years for not fitting the 'conventional hero" mold. 'People told me I didn't look like a hero," he said. Yet, he persevered and went on to become one of the defining action stars of his generation.
However, when asked about the current crop of newcomers, Shetty had an interesting take. Contrary to the belief that star kids have it easy, he argued that today's industry is far less forgiving. 'The kids have to work harder to prove themselves," he explained. 'Earlier, they assumed they'd automatically be a part of the film world. Today, they know they have to educate themselves, be prepared — whether it's acting, body language, or everything else. You can't skip the fundamentals."
He pointed out that while competition is undoubtedly fierce, it's the audience scrutiny that's become relentless. 'Everyone is a critic today," Shetty observed. 'But it's not constructive criticism — it's about trashing films and performances. That kind of judgment takes a toll."
His own children have experienced the highs and lows of the industry. Daughter Athiya Shetty made her debut with Hero in 2015 but quietly stepped away from acting after her 2019 release Motichoor Chaknachoor didn't click at the box office. Son Ahan Shetty entered the scene with Tadap in 2021 and now has Border 2 and Sanki in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, Suniel continues to reinvent himself. In Hunter Season 2 on Amazon MX Player, he shares screen space with Jackie Shroff, Anusha Dandekar, and Barkha Bisht, proving that even after 30 years, he's still got his finger on the pulse of the times.
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