Veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, known for his iconic performances in films like 'Mohra', 'Border', and the 'Hera Pheri' series, has recently opened up about his selective approach towards working in the South Indian film industry. The beloved star shared candid insights during an interview with The Lallantop, revealing a pattern that has made him cautious about accepting roles from Southern filmmakers.
The Type-Casting Dilemma in South Cinema
Suniel Shetty disclosed that while he regularly receives offers from the South film industry, most of these opportunities come with a specific condition that doesn't align with his preferences. The actor expressed his disappointment with the prevailing trend where Bollywood actors are predominantly offered negative or antagonistic roles in South Indian productions.
"I do get offers from the South but unfortunately, what happens is, you will notice this trend that we get offers for negative roles," Shetty explained during the conversation. He further elaborated that filmmakers from the South industry often want to cast Hindi film heroes as powerful antagonists to make their local heroes appear more dominant on screen.
The 'Balwaan' actor made it clear that this repeated pattern no longer interests him. "They want to cast the Hindi heroes as powerful from an antagonistic point of view, that's good for the screen and for the audience. And that is one thing that I don't like," he stated firmly.
Making an Exception for Rajinikanth
Despite his general reluctance to play negative characters in South films, Suniel Shetty made one significant exception for legendary superstar Rajinikanth. The actor revealed that he agreed to appear in Rajinikanth's 2020 film 'Darbar' specifically to fulfill a personal dream of working with the iconic star.
"I did a film with Rajini sir only because I wanted to tick that box of having worked with him," Shetty confessed. This professional milestone represented something deeply personal for the actor, who had aspired to share screen space with Rajinikanth for many years. His appearance in 'Darbar' was more about achieving a career goal than about the character itself.
Staying Connected to His Roots
While being selective about mainstream South Indian film offers, Suniel Shetty remains passionately connected to his Mangalorean heritage. The actor recently demonstrated his commitment to regional cinema by making a special cameo appearance in the Tulu film 'Jai'.
Shetty shared his motivation behind this decision: "Recently, I did a small Tulu film just to encourage the film which is doing really well, it's called Jai." His supportive gesture paid off significantly as 'Jai' went on to become one of the most widely screened Tulu films in recent times, showcasing his genuine interest in promoting cinema from Karnataka.
Breaking Language Barriers in Cinema
The experienced actor also shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. Shetty believes that language is no longer a barrier for films in today's interconnected entertainment world. According to him, modern audiences are willing to watch stories from any region as long as the content is compelling and well-executed.
"Today, there is no language barrier. If there is a barrier, then it's perhaps because of the content. If your content is good, it will cross all barriers," Shetty asserted. This observation comes at a time when Indian cinema is experiencing unprecedented cross-regional popularity, with South Indian films achieving massive success in Hindi-speaking markets and vice versa.
Upcoming Projects and Future Ventures
On the work front, Suniel Shetty continues to maintain an active presence in the entertainment industry. The actor was recently seen in 'Kesari Veer' and 'Nadaaniyan' in 2025, demonstrating his enduring appeal across different genres.
Fans can look forward to seeing Shetty in the upcoming comedy-drama 'Welcome To The Jungle', directed by Ahmed Khan. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, and Raveena Tandon among others.
Perhaps most exciting for long-time fans is Shetty's involvement in the highly anticipated 'Hera Pheri 3'. The third installment of the beloved comedy franchise has generated significant excitement among audiences who fondly remember his memorable performance in the earlier films. The success of the previous 'Hera Pheri' movies has created substantial expectations for this upcoming project.
Through his career choices and recent revelations, Suniel Shetty continues to demonstrate his principled approach to acting while maintaining his status as one of Bollywood's most respected and loved personalities. His selective approach to roles, combined with his willingness to support meaningful regional cinema, reflects an actor who values artistic integrity alongside commercial success.
