‘Bollywood celebrates failure more than success’: Suniel Shetty says concerned for son Ahan Shetty, he discusses ‘competition’ with Ahaan Panday

‘When you fall, the industry makes you feel you are nothing’: Suniel Shetty

Sunil Shetty, too, spoke candidly about the harsh realities of the film industry and how failure is often scrutinized harshly. “We always want our kids to be happy, and I am not talking about success. I’m scared of failure in the industry and not of success. In other fields, when you fall, you get up and start walking. Here, when you fall, the world looks at you, and they make you feel that you’re nothing.” He further explained a common misconception: “People feel that Hindi film actors are illiterate; they don’t know anything. We know a lot and we are smart. In today’s times, failure is sometimes more celebrated than success. It’s a fact.”

Also Read | ‘Ikkis and Dhurandhar should co-exist in a democracy’: Ikkis writers on facing trolls, working with Dharmendra

Reflecting on the nepotism debate and the challenges after Tadap, Ahan said, “It’s been a long journey since Tadap came out in 2021. It’s definitely not been easy. I mean, the whole nepotism debate comes up a lot. I’ve always accepted it. My father is an actor, and I wanted to be an actor. I think it is important to stay focused on what you want to do and not let the noise around you affect you too much. I focus on giving my director and producer my 200 per cent.”

Ahan Shetty was massively criticised for the film Tadap.

In the same conversation, Sunil also voiced support for Varun Dhawan, who has been at the receiving end of online trolling, particularly after the launch of the song “Ghar Kab Aaoge” from Border 2. Sunil said, “Has anybody seen the film? Nobody has seen the film. We’ve seen glimpses of the film. Varun Dhawan will kill it in the film, he’s outstanding. Varun is not playing himself; he is playing a decorated officer who’s given his life for the country. So, I think we should think a little bit before we go out there and say these things. Today, it’s very easy to trash someone and run them down.”