Suniel Shetty Reflects on 'Kesari Veer' Failure and Bollywood's Historical Narrative
In a candid revelation, veteran actor Suniel Shetty has opened up about the commercial failure of his 2025 film 'Kesari Veer', which explored the repeated destruction of Gujarat's historic Somnath Temple. Despite extensive research and a compelling subject matter, the film failed to make an impact at the box office and was pulled from theaters shortly after its release.
Distribution Woes: The Primary Culprit
Suniel Shetty pinpointed poor distribution as the key reason behind the film's underwhelming performance. He emphasized that while significant effort went into historical research, the execution of distribution proved disastrous. "We did a lot of research before making the film, but unfortunately, the distribution of the film was not done properly. Distribution is a big game; we didn't get theaters," Shetty explained.
He further elaborated that the producer's decision to handle distribution independently backfired, resulting in substantial financial losses. "Producer lost a lot of money because he was distributing it himself with people and that didn't work. A good film went down the drain," the actor lamented, highlighting how logistical shortcomings can overshadow creative merit in the film industry.
Questioning Bollywood's Historical Focus
Beyond discussing 'Kesari Veer', Suniel Shetty expressed strong opinions about the recurring themes in Hindi cinema's portrayal of history. He questioned the industry's persistent focus on figures like Aurangzeb, Akbar, Babur, and Birbal, advocating instead for a broader representation of India's cultural heritage.
"Why do we talk about Aurangzeb, Akbar, Babur, Birbal? Our history should be about our culture. It should be about Vedas and the Rajputs and Shivaji Maharaj and everybody else; every hero of every state should be spoken about," Shetty remarked passionately.
His emotional connection to the Somnath Temple subject was evident as he added, "I feel strongly and emotional about Somnath temple. How many times it was plundered but it is still standing." This sentiment reflects a desire for cinema to celebrate resilience and cultural continuity rather than repeatedly revisiting certain historical narratives.
Echoes of Akshay Kumar's Views
Suniel Shetty's comments resonate with similar observations made by actor Akshay Kumar during the promotion of 'Prithviraj Chauhan'. Akshay had highlighted gaps in how Indian history is taught, noting that textbooks often dedicate minimal space to indigenous heroes while extensively covering invaders.
"Unfortunately, our history textbooks only have 2-3 lines about Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, but a lot has been mentioned about the invaders. There is hardly anything mentioned about our culture and our Maharajas. I was taken aback that there is so much about Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan that we don't know about," Akshay Kumar had stated, underscoring a broader concern about historical representation in both education and entertainment.
Suniel Shetty's Current Projects
On the professional front, Suniel Shetty remains active in the film industry. He recently made a cameo appearance in 'Border 2', which features his son Ahan Shetty alongside Sunny Deol, reprising his role from the 1997 original. The film also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Varun Dhawan in lead roles.
Looking ahead, Shetty has an exciting lineup that includes the multi-starrer comedy 'Welcome to the Jungle' and the highly anticipated 'Hera Pheri 3'. These projects showcase his continued versatility and enduring presence in Bollywood, even as he reflects on past challenges and industry trends.
Suniel Shetty's insights offer a rare glimpse into the complexities of filmmaking, where distribution strategies and narrative choices can significantly impact a project's success. His call for a more inclusive historical focus in cinema sparks important conversations about cultural representation and storytelling in Indian entertainment.
