Sunil Shetty (born 11 August 1961)[2] is an Indian film actor, producer and entrepreneur predominantly active in Bollywood who has acted in more than 110 films. His major works have been action films.[3] He has also acted in Malayalam, Tamil, and English language films.
Sunil Shetty’s debut film was Balwaan (1992), opposite Divya Bharti. The film was an above average grosser and launched his career as an action hero.[citation needed] He went on to play the protagonist in various successful movies such as Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Dilwale (1994), Anth (1994), Mohra (1994), Gopi Kishan (1994), Krishna (1996), Sapoot (1996), Rakshak (1996), Border (1997), Bhai (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Dhadkan (2000) Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001), Main Hoon Na (2004), Welcome (2007), and Red Alert: The War Within (2010).[4] In 2014, he changed the spelling of his name from Sunil to Suniel for numerological reasons.[5]

Shetty was involved primarily in action films throughout the 1990s, playing the male protagonist in most of the movies he acted in during the decade. From early 2000, he mainly appeared in multi-starrers in across genres. He also starred opposite Isha Koppikar in Arjun Rampal’s debut movie Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001).

In 2005, on the eve of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi’s 61st birth anniversary, the Mumbai Pradesh Youth Congress honored Shetty with Rajiv Gandhi award

Shetty won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 2001 for Dhadkan.[6] In 2009, Shetty bagged South Asian International Film Festival’s Best Actor Award for his role in Naxalites based Indian movie Red Alert.

The actor has entrepreneurial ventures as well. Shetty produced films such as Khel – No Ordinary Game, Rakht and Bhagam Bhag under the banner of Popcorn Motion Pictures. Along with Mukesh Chhabra, one of the best known names in the casting fraternity, Shetty has also started an online venture called ‘F…the Couch’ (FTC).

The FTC is a digital platform that discover new talent in Bollywood provides a platform to new artists to make a place for themselves in Bollywood. Apart from being part of this project, Shetty has also been actively involved in realty and restaurant business.
Television
He hosted Biggest Loser Jeetega on Sahara One.[7] India’s Asli Champion Haidam? on &TV

Restaurant
He is a well known in restaurant business in Mumbai. The Actor owns Mischief Dining Bar and Club H20, in Mumbai. Both the places are running successfully. [8] [9]

Celebrity cricket league
Suniel Shetty is captain of the Mumbai Heroes cricket team in the Celebrity cricket league.[10]

In Award Ceremony in Sri Lanka
Suniel Shetty was participant in the Hiru Golden Film Awards 2014 and 2016 in Sri Lanka as a special guest along with other Bollywood actors such as Anil Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, and actresses such as Bipasha Basu, and Neha Dhupia.[11]

Personal life
Suniel Shetty was born in a Tulu speaking ethnic Bunt[12][13] family on 11 August 1961 in Mulki, Mangalore, India.[12]

He is married to Mana Shetty and has two children, actress Athiya Shetty (born 5 November 1992)[14] and Ahan (born 15 January 1996).[15] Athiya made her acting debut opposite actor Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj Pancholi in Hero (2015).

Mana runs an NGO for under-privileged kids.[16] Shetty has a Black Belt in Kickboxing.[17] He owns clothing boutiques as well as restaurants specializing in Udupi cuisine.[18]

Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan Shetty has been signed by Sajid Nadiadwala for his debut film.[19]

Awards
Winner
2001: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Dhadkan[20]
2001: Zee Cine Best Supporting Actor Award for Dhadkan[21]
2005: GIFA Best Villain Award for Main Hoon Na
2005: Rajiv Gandhi Award along with Kareena Kapoor and Sachin Tendulkar[22]
2008: SAIFF Best Actor Award for Red Alert: The War Within[23]
2011: Stardust Search Light Award for Best Actor for Red Alert: The War Within[24]
Nominated
1995: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Dilwale[20]
1998: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Border[20]
1998: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actor for Border
2001: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Refugee[20]
2001: IIFA Best Supporting Actor Award for Refugee[25]
2001: IIFA Best Villain Award for Dhadkan[26]
2004: IIFA Best Supporting Actor Award for Qayamat: City Under Threat[25]
2005: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Main Hoon Na
2005: IIFA Best Villain Award for Main Hoon Na