Suniel Shetty on Son Ahan's 'Border 2' and His Father's Rags-To-Riches Story: 'He Worked As a Waiter, Slept On Sacks'

For Suniel Shetty, money has never been just about success. Growing up, listening to stories of his father—who ran away from his village in Karnataka and reached Mumbai at the age of nine—money has been about dignity, responsibility, and respect. “My father worked as a waiter in Udupi restaurants in Mumbai when he was a child, sleeping on rice sacks that served as his bed,” the actor says, his voice breaking. “I am a proud son of that man.”

Long before he became a star or an entrepreneur, those values were shaped by watching his father work relentlessly, counting every rupee so his children Suniel, Sujata and Sunita, could dream bigger than their circumstances.

This early education in sacrifice and self-respect continues to inform how Shetty earns, spends and invests, even decades into a career that has seen both dizzying highs and humbling lows.

As a father to Athiya and Ahan, Shetty speaks with the same quiet protectiveness and clarity that defined his own upbringing. His advice to his children mirrors what he learned early: stay honest, respect the people who put their faith and money in you, and measure success in relationships and integrity.

“My father worked at a restaurant and eventually owned it. Today, I still own all three properties where he worked. People say it’s my building. It’s not. It’s my father’s building. I’m just holding it.”

In an interview with THR India, Shetty talks about his father’s journey, his evolving relationship with wealth, the responsibility of being a parent, Amazon MX Player's show Bharat Ke Super Founders, which he is a host and mentor on, and why stories of grit still move him to tears.

Edited excerpts:

Suniel Shetty in a still from the show.

Bimal Parekh, one of the most respected CAs in the Hindi film industry, said his golden advice to actors is to treat this as a business where you’re on a merry-go-round — one day you’re at the top, the next you’re down — so don’t spend everything when you’re up. How true is that?

One hundred percent. But honestly, that applies to life itself, not just films. Look at today’s startup ecosystem, founders and unicorns. People make money very quickly and lose it just as fast. That’s why applying basic maths from the very beginning is important. If you’re earning X, you save X, you reinvest X, and you take care of your needs. That’s something I always did. Earlier, people in the industry would tell me, “Isko samajh mein nahi aata, dhanda karna hai ya filmein? (He wants to do films or business?)

You’re passionate about entrepreneurship…

Being an actor is my comfort zone. But I also need to step into the risk zone. That risk comes from investing consciously and ensuring my money grows. Earlier, actors mostly played it safe by investing in real estate, gold, and diamonds. Safe assets. Today, post-pandemic, the startup ecosystem has changed the game.

I feel I’m in a blessed phase. Ahaan (his son) is in a blessed phase. KL Rahul (son-in-law) is in a blessed phase. You can invest in great founders, add value through marketing and visibility, even if you don’t understand the business completely.

Today, many actors are founders, co-founders and investors and that’s fantastic.

What has your relationship with money been like?

Very interesting, actually. Money has always taken care of me. Lakshmi has always taken care of me. Even during my worst periods, I genuinely felt that reassurance that I was blessed. I’ve always treated money with respect. I tell Ahaan this all the time: the only person you must always be true to is your producer. Because they bring in the Lakshmi. Without good producers, we wouldn’t have an industry today.

Post-pandemic, it was the Dharmas, the Yash Rajs, T-Series—people who continued making films despite failures—who kept the ecosystem alive. The one who brings the money must be respected. The same applies to founders. Don’t treat investors like cash cows. Don’t believe blindly in cash burn. You have to return their money with added returns.

Your understanding of money clearly comes from your father, right?

Absolutely. I’ve always visualised my father working from the age of nine, counting every penny so his daughters could get the best education possible at a time when women didn’t even step out of the house, let alone go to America, especially in a small South Indian family.

He once told me, “I can afford to educate two children. What do you want to do? Can you take care of yourself?” This was an uneducated man— no management school background—yet he taught me how to manage life. Those were massive lessons.

He worked at restaurants, slept on sacks that became his bedding. Like a sleeping bag. He told me these stories not to seek sympathy, but to push me to go beyond my means for my children.

I read somewhere how he changed localities and moved to a better area so that you could dream bigger than your surroundings.

That’s true. He wanted me to think big. He deliberately chose neighbourhoods, schools, and surroundings that would expand my thinking. He lived beyond his means without complaining. He just showed up for his family, for his friends, for everyone.

He ran away at nine years old, reached Mumbai without language or resources, worked at a restaurant, and eventually owned it. Today, I still own all three properties where he worked. People say it’s my building. It’s not. It’s my father’s building. I’m just holding it.

What did hosting the show Bharat Ke Super Founders teach you about today’s young entrepreneurs?

They’re more aware and more educated — thanks to the internet. Ideas today come from tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 cities. That’s why it’s Bharat Ke Super Founders. Their confidence is shocking, in a good way.

They’re a mix of old-school and new-school. They’ve seen their parents struggle, so they value money. Earlier, it was about cash burn. Today it’s about profitability. Our aim is not to create billionaires. It’s to create millionaires, who then create lakhpatis. And we need more shows like this. When I see a young founder, I see myself. I see my father. That’s why it gets emotional. There’s real struggle, real tears. Nothing is scripted. If it were, I’d walk away.

There’s a story where your father once said he would give up everything but could never tolerate injustice towards his children.

Yes. This actually happened with a police officer who had misbehaved with me. He was drunk. My father didn’t hesitate for a second. He said, “I’ll go to the tribunal, I’ll sell everything I have, I’ll go back to my village — but my son is right, and you are wrong.”

What moved me even more was what followed. The police force itself stood by my father. The entire area shut shops, people closed shutters and protested against that cop. That moment taught me something very powerful — it just takes one person to have the courage to stand up. One person stepping forward can change everything. That sense of fearlessness clearly stayed with me.

Do you think that’s why you’re so protective as a father?

Absolutely. That instinct comes directly from him. My father showed up. Always. For me, for my family, for his friends. He never complained, never made noise about sacrifice. He just did what had to be done. So when people say I’m protective of my children, I understand why. That’s what I saw growing up. Dignity mattered more than money. Doing the right thing mattered more than comfort. That’s what I try to pass on to my kids as well.

Your son Ahaan is gearing up for his big theatrical release, Border 2. As a father, what does that feel like?

Very emotional. He’s had a tough two years after Tadap. Then Border 2 came along, and the love he’s receiving feels blessed. I told him one thing: go with all your heart. Believe you are the character you’re playing. And be good to people. I don’t know what I’ve achieved, success or failure, but I’ve built friendships. That matters.

I still get teary-eyed when I read kind words about him. It makes a difference. Because at the end of the day, everything— money, success, fame — comes down to one thing: protecting your children, living with dignity, and doing right by people. And that, I learned from my father.