Suniel Shetty: I can’t do the same action I could do 20 years ago

Macho man Suniel Shetty states, “The tag of action hero affects me. People expect action from you, whatever you are playing. But I can’t do the same action I could do 20 years ago. 2014 will start fresh and new. You don’t have to necessarily run around trees; you get characters which are strong. I am doing that and am enjoying. I am doing films like Desi Kattey and Shooter, this year is important I will be seen a lot from May. I had produced a film, which didn’t do well.”

But watching him in action for Celebrity Cricket League’s practice session may make you feel otherwise. “Age is an important factor for someone like me. This is the fittest I ever was. Sports fitness is completely different from gym fitness.” As the captain of Mumbai Heroes (the team is owned by Sohail Khan), Suniel exuberates passion for the game. “Everyday on the sets when free I play cricket. Cricket is an obsession and passion as well. We play a lot for charity. It acts as a stress buster, we get to meet friends. We yell at each other.” His team mate includes actors like Aftab Shivdasani, Vatsal Seth, Sonu Sood, Bobby Deol, Armaan Kohli, et al.

Even at 50, Suniel looks fit. “I dedicate at least an hour to fitness everyday. I do weights thrice a week and cardios and abs. In cricket, you learn to relax your muscles.”

“I had a very bad year last year. My migraine, just popped up and wasn’t leaving me, I got depressed and put on weight. I went from 78 kg to 99 kg. I went to old doctors possible, I went to a homeopath. And I started working out, and got back to 78. For me, I was losing it, because I wasn’t used to that kind of weight. I didn’t know how to control the headaches I was getting. Kris Gethin who worked with Hrithik Roshan, helped me with some books to get fit.”                         

Suneil is also a concerned parent as his daughter Athiya is also gearing up for her Bollywood debut. But his concerns are limited. “Reshma Shetty( Athiya’s manager) is very involved in Athiya’s career. But she does come to me to discuss things. What my kids can learn from me, is work ethics, I have always stuck to time, didn’t trouble anybody and didn’t look for trouble. Athiya starts in February sometime. Just believe in what you are doing, and where you come from and how you treat people. Ahaan, is just 18 and wants to be only an actor, he works out. They never visited my set out of choice, when they were younger they would come with me. I kept them away from the sets and limelight. I wanted them to concentrate on what they were doing.”

Despite the negative stories that surrounded Athiya’s co-star Suraj Panscholi last year, Suniel is chilled. “I have no apprehensions for Athaiya. I have been a part of this industry and it is you who makes that choice. Kids, at times choose shortcuts. She is being launched by none other than Salman’s production. Nikhil Advani treats her like family. I have always told Athaiya to have Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kajol as her role models, I have admired them. They have had great conduct. In today’s generation, Parineeti Chopra just burns the screen. I advise her to watch and follow, rest she has her own mind.”