After more than three decades in showbiz, Suniel Shetty is enjoying a second wind — on-screen success on one side and a brand-new role as a grandfather on the other. His career is soaring, his home is fuller, and life, he admits, has never felt richer. When his daughter Athiya married cricketer KL Rahul, he gained not just a son-in-law but “another son” alongside Ahan. Yet, fatherhood — and now grandfatherhood — comes with its own share of worries.
Earlier, he worried about Athiya and Ahan; now it is about Rahul getting trolled — especially after India’s disappointing loss to South Africa in the recent Test series. Rahul has now been chosen to lead India in the ODI series against South Africa. “Initially I used to get deeply hurt, perhaps more than my children. They would tell me to remain calm and not feel bad. Today, I have realised it is all a part of a celebrity’s life, so it doesn’t affect me as much anymore,” shares Suniel, admitting that he still does not watch his son-in-law play. “There is too much stress involved.”
Though films and cricket usually dominate the public perception of their lives, at home the conversation rarely touches either. “We influence billions of people; [it is] a blessed position, hence important for us to behave right. Rahul is calm, respectful, and all about empathy, he adds strength to [the family]. Ahan and he are best friends [before being] brothers. His influence is stronger on them,” he says.
Becoming a grandfather to eight-month-old Evaara — born to Rahul and Athiya in March this year — has been “ten times more blissful”. He is ready to turn into a camel, horse, sheep, or even a fish for the little one. “There is nothing else that I want to do but be around her. I am willing to do everything for Evaara. She has a bit of Rahul, Ahan, and Athiya in her. Evaara has a birthday celebration every month on the 24th with cake and everything,” Suniel gushes.
Suniel Shetty is thrilled that his son Ahan has taken the mantle from him by featuring in ‘Border 2’, and “has finally found his mojo”. “It is the most beautiful feeling for me. Ahan is confident; I see absolute joy and pleasure on his face. Success and failure come, but to see that happiness on his face as a father is a different joy. It’s the only thing that I have ever wanted,” he says, beaming with pride
