Suniel Shetty Questions Bollywood's Historical Focus on Mughal Figures Over Indian Heroes
In a recent interview, veteran actor Suniel Shetty has sparked a conversation about the representation of historical figures in Indian cinema. He expressed concern over the disproportionate attention given to Mughal emperors like Akbar and Babur in films, while iconic Indian heroes such as Rajput kings and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj remain underrepresented.
Shetty's Call for Cultural Storytelling in Bollywood
Speaking to Lehren Retro, Suniel Shetty emphasized the need for films to reflect India's rich cultural heritage. "Why do we talk about Aurangzeb, Akbar, Babur, Birbal? Our history should be about our culture," he stated passionately. Shetty believes that cinema should celebrate diverse Indian heroes from every state, including figures from the Vedas, Rajputana, and Maratha history like Shivaji Maharaj.
He elaborated, "It should be about Vedas and the Rajputs and Shivaji Maharaj and everybody else, every hero of every state should be spoken about." This viewpoint aligns with a growing sentiment in the industry to prioritize indigenous narratives over foreign or colonial histories.
Reflections on His Film 'Kesari Veer' and Distribution Challenges
Shetty's comments came during a discussion about his 2025 film Kesari Veer, which depicted the multiple destructions of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. Despite extensive research, the film failed commercially due to distribution issues. "We did a lot of research before making the film, but unfortunately, the distribution was not done properly," he explained.
He highlighted how poor distribution led to financial losses and the film's underwhelming box office performance. "Distribution is a big game, we didn't get theatres. A good film went down the drain," Shetty lamented, underscoring the practical challenges in bringing historical stories to mainstream audiences.
Emotional Connection to Somnath Temple and Cultural Pride
Shetty expressed a deep emotional attachment to the Somnath Temple, a symbol of resilience in Indian history. "I feel strongly and emotional about Somnath temple. How many times it was plundered but it is still standing," he said, reflecting on the temple's enduring legacy. This sentiment resonates with recent events, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the temple in early January 2026 for the "Somnath Swabhiman Parv," marking 1,000 years since its first recorded invasion.
Broader Industry and Educational Context
Shetty's views echo similar concerns raised by other Bollywood figures. For instance, actor Akshay Kumar, while promoting his film Prithviraj Chauhan, criticized Indian history textbooks for giving minimal space to figures like Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan compared to invaders. "Unfortunately, our history textbooks only have 2-3 lines about Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, but a lot has been mentioned about the invaders," Kumar noted, calling for a greater focus on Indian culture and maharajas.
This debate touches on broader issues of cultural representation in education and media, suggesting a shift toward celebrating India's indigenous historical narratives.
Suniel Shetty's Current Projects and Industry Presence
Despite the commercial setback of Kesari Veer, Suniel Shetty remains active in Bollywood. He recently made a cameo in Border 2, starring his son Ahan Shetty alongside Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Varun Dhawan. Looking ahead, Shetty is involved in high-profile projects like the multi-starrer Welcome to the Jungle and the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3.
His advocacy for more films on Rajput kings and Shivaji Maharaj highlights a potential trend in Bollywood to explore diverse historical themes, balancing entertainment with cultural education.
