Suniel Shetty recalls film critic calling him a bad actor despite Balwaan's success: 'He said, isko apni dukaan mein idli-vada bechna chahiye'

Suniel Shetty, who burst onto the Bollywood scene with the 1992 action hit Balwaan opposite Divya Bharti, recently opened up about the harsh criticism he faced at the start of his career, even after delivering a box office success. In a candid chat with Radio Nasha, the actor looked back on his early struggles, shelved projects, and how one critic mocked his looks and talent.

Suniel shared that before Balwaan, two of his initial projects, Faulad and Aarzoo, were shelved due to production issues. “I had finished almost 60–65 days of shooting for Aarzoo, and the film was nearly complete. But a fallout between the director and producer shelved it,” he recalled. Similarly, when a second Faulad was being considered, director David Dhawan grew concerned that it might hamper Suniel’s career, leading to that film being dropped too.

Despite the setbacks, his action prowess caught the industry’s attention, eventually landing him the role in Balwaan. But even after the film became a hit, not everyone was convinced. Recalling the criticism, Suniel said, “When Balwaan got released, it was a blockbuster. However, ek bahut bade critic ne likha ki yeh bahut kharab actor hai—doesn’t know acting, doesn’t know how to walk, his body is stiff. Isko apni dukaan mein idli-vada bechna chahiye.”

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The remark might have been intended as an insult, but Suniel took it in stride. “He thought he was mocking me, but that idli-vada business was my backbone. It educated my sisters and me—probably far better than those who didn’t have that kind of upbringing,” he shared. “I used to clean tables, serve at the counter, and stand in the kitchen. So what? I was Suniel Shetty then, and I’m Suniel Shetty now.”

Directed by Deepak Anand and produced by Raju Mavani, Balwaan gave Suniel a powerful debut, with a supporting cast that included Divya Bharti, Tinu Anand, and Danny Denzongpa. The film’s success made him a promising action hero of the '90s, but the journey to acceptance was anything but smooth.