Suniel Shetty on South Films and Negative Roles
Suniel Shetty, a prominent figure in the Bollywood industry, recently opened up about his limited involvement in South Indian films during a public session at Lallantop Adda 2025 in Delhi. The actor highlighted a notable trend where filmmakers from the South approach Hindi film stars, particularly for negative roles. This has led him to shy away from many offers in the South film industry.
Suniel expressed his discomfort with being cast primarily as an antagonist. He stated, "Unfortunately, what happens is, you will notice this trend that we get offers for negative roles. They want to cast the Hindi heroes as powerful from an antagonistic point of view." This perspective reflects his desire to take on more positive and impactful roles rather than being typecast as the villain.
Despite his reservations, Suniel has participated in select South Indian projects. He mentioned his role in the film "Darbar," where he worked alongside the legendary actor Rajinikanth, primarily to fulfill a personal ambition. He also took part in a small Tulu film named "Jai," emphasizing his commitment to supporting regional cinema and its growth.
Suniel believes that language should not be a barrier in the film industry. "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," he remarked, indicating that quality storytelling transcends linguistic differences.
Currently, Suniel Shetty is busy with various projects. He was last seen in the series "Hunter 2," alongside Jackie Shroff. Looking ahead, he has a significant role in "Welcome To The Jungle," featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar. Fans are also eagerly anticipating "Hera Phera 3," with filming set to begin early next year.
Suniel's stance on South Indian films opens up interesting discussions about the dynamics of casting in Indian cinema, particularly the evolving relationship between Bollywood and regional film industries.
