PR Culture To Nickname Anna And Student Days: Suniel Shetty Gets Candid On Baatein Dil Se With Navika Kumar

Actor Suniel Shetty who was recently seen in Welcome To The Jungle, got candid about his life and career on Baatein Dil Se with The Times Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar. He opened up about everything from PR culture in Bollywood to his school days, love for cricket and his son-in-law, KL Rahul, and the love for his iconic nickname, "Anna." Reflecting on his student life, the actor shared why he chose not to pursue cricket professionally despite his passion for the sport. He also spoke about how "Anna" evolved into more than just a nickname, becoming a symbol of warmth and "apnapan" for fans and colleagues and more.

Suniel Shetty on PR culture

Speaking about the changing culture in the film industry, Suniel Shetty criticized the growing obsession with image and public perception. "Yeah, everything is PR," he said, adding that agencies and people around celebrities often dictate "how we should live our lives." He also took a dig at celebrity fashion culture, saying, "If you go to the airport, there should always be new clothes. I have been repeating clothes all my life." Comparing the past and present, he added, "What we used to wear became a trend. Now, because the world says it's a trend, you're wearing it." Calling out the industry's pursuit of perfection, the actor concluded, "So every actor looks the same... Lipstick of that brand, makeup of this brand, Botox of that brand, everything is fake."

From PR culture to the reality of an actor's life, @SunielVShetty speaks his mind."Everything is PR... everything is fake."Don't

miss this honest conversation on 'Baatein Dil Se with @NavikaKumar'June 26 | 7 PM | TIMES NOW YouTube pic.twitter.com/RXoRPtQtHJ

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 26, 2026

Why did Suniel Shetty not choose cricket as a career?

Opening up about his school days and love for cricket, Suniel evealed that he was more interested in sports than academics. "I was an obsessive sportsman," he said, adding that he never pursued cricket professionally because "there was a lot of politics at that time" and admitted, "I wasn't good enough."

From report cards to cricket fields!What was @SunielVShetty like as a student? Why didn't he choose cricket as a career?Find out as he opens up about sports, success, KL Rahul, and much more on 'Baatein Dil Se with @NavikaKumar'Catch the full conversation on June 26 at 7 PM… pic.twitter.com/uAHciU9Fvw

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 26, 2026

Speaking about his son-in-law, cricketer KL Rahul, the actor shared that his cricketing dream came true through him. "Yes, 100%," he said, while recalling how nervous he used to get while watching Rahul bat. "I stopped going to the matches," he admitted, narrating an incident where Rahul got out on the first ball after he briefly looked away. Suniel also revealed that he never offers Rahul cricketing advice, saying, "No, never. I started following him after he became my son-in-law. I loved his game because I loved Rahul Dravid. I always admired him as a player and the kind of person he is."

Suniel Shetty on nickname Anna

Shetty also got candid about his nickname Anna. Speaking about the nickname that has become synonymous with him, The Welcome To The Jungle actor said he values the warmth associated with "Anna" more than his own name. "People probably older than me also have started calling me Anna," he said.

"I've forgotten my own name today"@SunielVShetty opens up on how “Anna” became more than just a name — it became a feeling of 'apnapan.' ❤️🎙️ Watch this fun conversation on 'Baatein Dil Se with @NavikaKumar' on Times Now YouTube on June 26 at 7 PM. pic.twitter.com/bgOzDeGF3t

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 26, 2026

Reflecting on his disciplined lifestyle, the actor revealed that he has never consumed alcohol. "No, never," he said, explaining that he was drawn to martial arts at a young age. "At the age of 14 and 15, I was training with the Tibetan Border Police and the Maharashtra Police," he shared, recalling how the rigorous training instilled discipline and earned him respect from seniors.The full podcast will be available on Times Now YouTube Channel very soon. Stay tuned!