Suniel Shetty believes that star kids today have to work much harder to prove themselves than in the past. Reflecting on his own journey in the film industry, which began in the 90s when he faced challenges due to his unconventional looks, he notes that outsiders without film backgrounds once faced greater struggles. However, he feels that the current generation of star kids can no longer take their place in the industry for granted. Instead, they must come fully prepared, honing their acting skills and overall readiness before stepping into the spotlight.
According to Shetty, the tougher environment for star kids is partly due to increased competition but also because of the harsh criticism they face from audiences. He points out that nowadays, everyone seems to consider themselves a critic, often offering harsh and unconstructive feedback rather than genuine appreciation for cinema. This critical atmosphere makes it more challenging for newcomers, even those from established film families.
Shetty’s own children, Athiya and Ahan, have both made their film debuts in recent years. Athiya started with Hero in 2015 but eventually stepped away from acting after a few films, while Ahan debuted with Tadap in 2021 and has upcoming projects lined up. Meanwhile, Suniel himself recently appeared in the second season of the Amazon MXPlayer show Hunter, alongside notable actors like Jackie Shroff and Anusha Dandekar.
