Suniel Shetty says he ‘salutes’ daughter Athiya for quitting films to embrace motherhood: ‘She’s got the best role of her life, of a mom’

Sharing his conversation with Athiya during an interview with Zoom, Suniel said, “She said, ‘Baba, I don’t want to,’ and she just left. And that’s what I salute her for — saying, ‘I’m not interested. I don’t want to do films.’ After Motichoor Chaknachoor, a lot came her way. ‘But I don’t want to. I am comfortable, you know?'”

Praising Athiya for fully embracing the role of a mother, he added, “And today, she’s got the best role of her life. You know, she’s working in the best film, and that is the life — the role of a mother — and she’s loving it.”

During the conversation, Suniel also opened up about supporting his son-in-law during the Koffee With Karan controversy and explained why he has never appeared on the popular talk show despite being asked multiple times. He said, “Whatever happens, don’t put it out in public, in the media because I am not looking for publicity. What do I talk about after coming on an entertainment channel?” Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul had found themselves embroiled in controversy in 2019 after making sexist and racially insensitive comments on Koffee With Karan. Following the backlash, both players were temporarily suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Athiya’s Film Career

Athiya began her acting career with Nikhil Advani’s 2015 film Hero, which was produced by Salman Khan and also marked the debut of Sooraj Pancholi. Two years later, she appeared in Anees Bazmee’s romantic comedy Mubarakan, which starred Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Ileana D’Cruz. She was last seen in Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Motichoor Chaknachoor in 2019.

Athiya tied the knot with KL Rahul in 2023, and the couple welcomed their daughter Evaarah in March this year.