Suniel Shetty admired KL Rahul long before the cricketer became part of his family. The actor has revealed that his first interaction with Rahul felt less like a meeting between two public figures and more like a fan finally getting an opportunity to speak to a player he had followed closely.
Rahul later began dating Suniel’s daughter, Athiya Shetty, and the couple tied the knot in 2023. However, Suniel said his respect for the cricketer had already been firmly established by then.
Suniel Met KL Rahul Like A Fan
Speaking to Mid-Day, Suniel recalled being impressed not only by Rahul’s performance on the field but also by his quiet and grounded personality.
“It was a fanboy moment and I met him like a fan. To this day, that’s how I look at it, as somebody
who’s very well-spoken, soft, humble and leaves a great impact on the youth whenever and wherever he plays,” Suniel said.
The actor believes Rahul’s conduct away from cricket is as important as his achievements during a match. He praised his son-in-law for remaining polite and restrained despite the pressure and scrutiny that come with representing India at the highest level.
‘We Discuss Character, Not Careers’
Despite his enthusiasm for cricket, Suniel said he does not offer Rahul suggestions about the game. The same rule, he explained, applies to professional conversations with the younger members of the family.
“No, I don’t. I absolutely don’t. Both the boys, like I always say, we don’t discuss careers. We discuss character at home and, you know, keep it simple, very, very simple,” he said.
For Suniel, family conversations are therefore centred on personal values rather than performances, selections or career decisions.
Why Suniel Never Bought An IPL Team
The actor was also asked why his love for cricket had never translated into owning an Indian Premier League franchise. Suniel joked about the perception surrounding his finances and admitted that he would have considered the opportunity with sufficient backing.
“The belief that Suniel Shetty has a lot when he actually doesn’t. I could have bought a team if somebody backed me. I would have probably got into it. In today’s time, you have funders and investors who are keen to invest with you,” he said.
Suniel praised Shah Rukh Khan for having the timing, foresight and business instinct required to build Kolkata Knight Riders into a successful franchise. He also acknowledged that Shah Rukh’s outgoing nature differs greatly from his own introverted personality.
Athiya and Rahul welcomed their daughter, Evaarah Vipula, last year, making Suniel a grandfather.
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