Suniel Shetty Gets Emotional Speaking About Son Ahan’s Struggles After Debut, Hopes High for Border 2

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Actor Suniel Shetty was overwhelmed with emotion on Monday as he spoke candidly about the challenging phase his son Ahan Shetty endured following the underperformance of his debut film Tadap. The veteran actor broke down while addressing the gathering at the launch of the song Jaate Hue Lamhon from Border 2, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the realities faced by star kids behind the scenes.

Suniel, who attended the event along with Ahan and the Border 2 team, reflected on the significance of his son being part of such a prestigious project early in his career. Visibly emotional, he described the responsibility that comes with working on a film rooted in patriotism and sacrifice.

“It is only his second film, and getting such a big project itself is a huge thing. This is a very responsible film,” Suniel said, pausing as his voice choked. “When Ahan was shooting, I told him, ‘Ahan, it’s not just a uniform you are wearing. Remember what it stands for.’”

Looking back at the aftermath of Tadap, Suniel revealed that Ahan went through a deeply unsettling period after the film failed to leave a mark at the box office. Addressing the widespread belief that children of actors have an easier path in the industry, he said the reality is far more complex.

“There was a small break after his first film. People assume that because he is Suniel Shetty’s son, work must be pouring in. But there is a lot Ahan went through in his life during that phase,” he said. Expressing gratitude for Border 2, Suniel added, “He couldn’t have got a better second film. I only pray he has done justice to his role and that the film works for all of us.”

Ahan Shetty made his Bollywood debut in 2021 with Tadap, directed by Milan Luthria and co-starring Tara Sutaria. Despite expectations, the remake of the Telugu hit RX 100 failed to resonate with audiences, leading to a difficult period of introspection for the young actor.

Addressing rumours that surfaced last year suggesting he lost projects due to allegedly high entourage costs, Ahan firmly dismissed the claims. “There were articles saying my entourage cost was high and that’s why certain films didn’t happen. None of that was true,” he said. “I knew it, people close to me knew it, and even the producers knew it.”

Ahan acknowledged that misinformation can take an emotional toll but said resilience is essential in the film industry. “These things affect you, but you learn from them and move on. You have to be thick-skinned,” he noted.

Ahan will next be seen in Border 2, the sequel to JP Dutta’s iconic 1997 war film Border. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, with Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh and Medha Rana in pivotal roles. Based on real-life events from the 1971 India–Pakistan war, Border 2 is scheduled for release on January 23, carrying high expectations from audiences and the industry alike.

Team Maverick.