Suniel Shetty has remained one of Bollywood’s most respected and loved stars for over three decades. From his iconic action films like Mohra, Balwaan, Border, and Dhadkan to unforgettable comedies such as Hera Pheri, Awara Paagal Deewana, and Phir Hera Pheri, he has built a legacy that spans multiple genres.

Recently, the actor has been in the spotlight again — not for a film release, but for his honest and bold revelation about why he rejects most Suniel Shetty South film offers. His open remarks have sparked a major discussion on social media about how Bollywood actors are portrayed in South cinema.

During a candid conversation with The Lallantop, Suniel Shetty explained the pattern he has noticed when filmmakers from the South approach him — and why he refuses the majority of those roles.

Suniel Shetty South Film Offers – Why He Rejects Negative Roles

When asked why he hasn’t done more films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, or Malayalam cinema, Suniel Shetty said something that immediately became viral.

“I am getting offers from the South, but most of them are negative roles,” he explained.

According to him, the pattern is clear: Bollywood villains in South cinema have become a trend, where Hindi film stars are cast as powerful antagonists to elevate the local hero.

He further added:

“They want to portray Indian heroes as very strong. From an antagonistic point of view, they say this is good for the screen and for the audience. But this is the only thing I don’t like.”

Suniel admitted that while he respects the industry’s intentions, he does not want to repeatedly play characters that reinforce this stereotype. For him, the role must offer meaningful depth — not just a larger-than-life villain appearance.

Suniel Shetty Seeks Protection Against Deepfake Misuse

While discussing his career choices, the actor also addressed the growing concern of deepfake technology. Suniel Shetty revealed that he is seeking legal protection because several deepfake videos and edited clips have used his likeness without permission.

He emphasized that this misuse can damage an actor’s reputation and mislead the public.

The actor said he wants stricter cyber laws and faster action from authorities since deepfake technology is getting more advanced every year.

Suniel Shetty Rajinikanth Connection – Why He Said Yes to “Darbar”

Despite rejecting most negative roles, Suniel Shetty made an exception for a very special project — Rajinikanth’s film Darbar.

Suniel Shetty revealed that he accepted the villain role only because it was his personal dream to work alongside Rajinikanth.

“I did Darbar only because I wanted to tick the box of working with Rajini sir,” he said.

For Suniel Shetty, Rajinikanth is more than a superstar — he is an idol. Sharing screen space with him was a long-awaited moment of pride and accomplishment.

This also highlights a key point Suniel made: he does not oppose South films at all. In fact, he deeply respects the industry. His issue is with repetitive stereotyping, not with South cinema itself.

Supporting Regional Cinema – Suniel Shetty in Tulu Film “Jai”

Despite turning down several big offers from the South, Suniel Shetty continues to support regional cinema passionately. Recently, he appeared in a cameo role in the Tulu film Jai, simply because he wanted to uplift cinema from Karnataka, the land of his roots.

He shared that Jai has become one of the most successful Tulu films, and being part of it was meaningful to him.

Suniel Shetty said:

“Content matters more than language. Today, there is no language barrier. If your story is good, it will cross all barriers.”

This statement perfectly reflects today’s OTT-driven entertainment world, where audiences enjoy films from any region — Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Korean, or Japanese — as long as the storytelling is strong.

Bollywood Villains in South Cinema – A Trend Suniel Shetty Questions

The casting of Bollywood actors as villains in South movies has grown significantly in the last decade. Actors like Vivek Oberoi, Sonu Sood, Abhimanyu Singh, Mukesh Rishi, Rahul Dev, and Nana Patekar have all played antagonists in major South films.

Suniel Shetty believes the trend is driven by commercial reasons:
A bigger villain automatically makes the hero appear more powerful.

But according to him, the character should have emotional weight, depth, and purpose — not just be a flashy antagonist brought in for impact.

Suniel Shetty’s Upcoming Films – Hera Pheri 3 & Welcome To The Jungle Movie

Suniel Shetty is set for a strong comeback in the next two years with major Bollywood projects.

The highly anticipated Hera Pheri 3 has already created enormous buzz. Fans are thrilled to see the iconic trio — Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar, and Paresh Rawal — return as Shyam, Raju, and Babu Bhaiya.
The first two films became cult classics, and expectations for the third installment are sky-high.

Apart from Hera Pheri 3, Suniel Shetty will also be seen in Welcome To The Jungle movie, directed by Ahmed Khan.
This massive ensemble film stars:

• Akshay Kumar
• Disha Patani
• Arshad Warsi
• Lara Dutta
• Sanjay Dutt
• Raveena Tandon
• Suniel Shetty himself

The film promises comedy, adventure, and nostalgia, making it one of the most awaited releases.

Suniel was also seen in Kesari Veer and Nadaaniyan in 2025, showing that he continues to stay active and relevant across genres.

Suniel Shetty’s honest revelations about why he rejects many Suniel Shetty South film offers highlight an important industry issue — the typecasting of Bollywood actors as villains in South cinema.

While he respects the creativity and success of the industry, he prefers roles with emotional depth rather than repetitive negative characters.

His admiration for Rajinikanth led to his memorable villain role in Darbar, while his commitment to regional cinema pushed him to support Tulu films like Jai. At the same time, fans eagerly await his upcoming projects, including Hera Pheri 3 and Welcome To The Jungle movie, featuring stars like Akshay Kumar, Disha Patani, Arshad Warsi, and Lara Dutta.

Suniel Shetty remains an inspiration who continues to evolve while staying true to his values — proving once again why he is one of India’s most respected stars.

Stay Updates on Latest Entertainment News on Filmioriginals