Noted Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty is an ardent cricket fan, and before venturing into acting, he wanted to be a cricketer. However, fate had other plans, and years later, his daughter Athiya Shetty wed popular Indian cricketer KL Rahul.  

The couple tied the knot in 2023 and are now parents to a daughter, Evaarah, who was born last year. Looking back on his initial contact with Rahul, Suniel disclosed that he was merely an admirer of the cricket player even before he joined the family.

“It was a fanboy moment. I met him as a fan much, much before they met each other. To this day, that’s how I look at him—somebody who’s very well-spoken, soft, humble, and leaves a huge impact on the youth whenever and wherever he plays,” the actor said in an interview with Mid-Day.

Suniel added that he refrains from advising KL Rahul, as he has done with his son, actor Ahan Shetty.

“I don’t advise both my boys. Like I say, we don’t discuss careers at home; we discuss character. We keep it very, very simple,” he said.

Suniel Shetty acknowledged that he regretted missing out on the Indian Premier League's (IPL) explosive growth. When he thought back to the league's early years, he claimed that although he could have afforded to acquire a team, he lacked the support and network that modern entrepreneurs enjoy.

“I could’ve bought a team. If somebody had backed me, I probably would’ve gone into it. In today’s time, you have funders, VCs (Venture Capitalists), and investors who are keen to invest in you. Back then, it wasn’t that way. We couldn’t even think of spending so much money,” he stated.

Shetty talked about how Shah Rukh Khan was at the right place at the right time while talking about how SRK, along with actress Juhi Chawla, bought the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for INR 570 crores. KKR has won the IPL thrice, in 2012, 2014, and 2024.

“Shah Rukh was at the right place at the right time, and with the right people. And me, being an introvert, I was… like I said, Shah Rukh was in a better place. I always believed Shah Rukh was an absolute visionary. Whatever he’s done in life, he’s done it so beautifully,” Shetty added.

Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta co-owns the Punjab Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League.