Sunil Shetty, an iconic figure in Bollywood, continues to dominate the industry with his dynamic roles and impressive versatility. Currently, he is generating buzz for the much-anticipated film ‘Hera Pheri 3,’ the third installment in a franchise that has garnered a massive fan base through its previous entries. With anticipation building around this sequel, fans eagerly await the unique blend of comedy and drama that Shetty’s character, Shyam, is expected to deliver. In a recent update, director Priyadarsan hinted at the commencement of filming for ‘Hera Pheri 3,’ further heightening excitement among his admirers. Interestingly, did you know that before making his debut, Sunil Shetty had already signed 40 films concurrently?
Sunil Shetty’s Journey in Bollywood
In an episode of a podcast hosted by Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiya, Sunil revealed how he transitioned into acting. He shared insights about his early experiences, highlighting how his training in martial arts played a pivotal role in landing him various film offers. Sunil mentioned that numerous films were getting shelved during that period, yet JP Dutta’s decision to release his photos and create large posters for marketing helped him gain visibility among directors.
Signing 40 Films Before His Debut
Sunil elaborated, “Prahlad Kakkar signed me for what was going to be my first film, ‘Arzu.’ While 99% of the shooting for this film was completed, unforeseen issues led to its cancellation. Subsequently, Kakkar announced another project, ‘Fauji,’ which became a hit. After witnessing the success of ‘Fauji,’ he declared that he would no longer work with newcomers. Then came ‘Waqt Hamara Hai’ and ‘Balwaan,’ and that marked the beginning of my journey. Despite the challenges I faced, I kept my spirits high, thanks to my background as an athlete. By the time ‘Balwaan’ was ready for release, I had already signed 40 films, as actors back then were known to wrap up multiple projects quickly.”
Filming Multiple Movies Simultaneously
Shetty reminisced about his rigorous shooting schedules: “In those days, we used to shoot 25-30 films a year. It was common to juggle multiple projects in a single day, sometimes even filming three different movies back-to-back. I would keep one pair of pants and change into different shirts for each film. Filmistan Studios was like my second home, with several sets all assigned to me. Before heading to the set, my room was the last on the left, and I often spent ten days preparing for my next scenes. Lacking formal training, I relied on the support of my father, who encouraged me to embrace life and learn through hard work.”