SPARKBLOG - Sunil Shetty

Sunil Shetty (born August 11, 1961) is an Indian film actor and film producer and hotelier specializing in Udipi cuisine (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and liquor and fashion boutique owner. He is mainly active in Bollywood. He was born in Mulki, near Mangalore.

Sunil Shetty made his acting debut in the 1992 film Balwaan which was a moderate success. His first major hit was the 1994 action thriller Mohra. Later that year he also had another hit with the romantic drama film Dilwale and the comedy film Gopi Kishan. He went on to star in many films throughout the 1990s mostly in the action genre. In 1997 he got recognition for his role in the war epic Border. He went on to play patriotic roles in films such as Refugee (2001), Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003) and LOC: Kargil (2003). He also ventured into comedy roles in hit films such as Hera Pheri (2000), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006). He won a Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 2001 for his performance in Dhadkan (2000).

As a producer, he set up a production company called Popcorn Motion Pictures Ltd, which produced the films Khel (2003), Rakht: What If You Can See the Future and Bhagam Bhag (2006). In recent years he has mostly played small roles in multi-starred films. Besides Bollywood he appeared in the English film Don't Stop Dreaming in 2007 and the Tamil-language film 12B. He also hosted Biggest Loser Jeetega on Sahara One.

Personal life

Born on Aug 11, 1961 in Mulki, Mangalore taluk, Karnataka to a Tulu speaking Bunt family, Sunil Shetty changed his name to Suniel Shetty. Sunil Shetty also owns some hotels and a clothing boutique named 'Mischief' and has launched a company called Popcorn Entertainment to promote Bollywood actors touring abroad for stage shows and/or concerts.

He is married to Mana Shetty and has two children.