State ideal for film shooting: Sunil Shetty

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 2

Ace Hindi film actor Sunil Shetty believes that Uttarakhand, if infrastructure is developed here, has the potential to be a major film shooting destination. He along with noted actress Karishma Kapoor had shot for his film ‘Baaz-a Bird in Dangerin Uttarakhand.

Shetty, who has to his credit a couple of Filmfare awards, told The Tribune on the sidelines of a religious function in Haridwar, that nature is present in Uttarakhand in a huge variety, which needs to be tapped.

Impressed with the pilgrim city, the actor said this was the first time he had visited Haridwar. Enchanted with its spirituality and scenic beauty, he would surely visit it again, he said.

Terming spirituality as an integral part of his life, Sunil cited his spiritual connection with spiritual guru Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Brahmachari of Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshi Kali Temple, Neeldhara as a blessing.

“I came here on invitation of Swami Kailashanand Brahmachari. Contrary to perception, I am a deeply religious and spiritual. Alongside the Ganga in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand, one gets immense solace and peace. This is a blessing particularly for a person like me who comes from Mumbai and that too from the fast-pace, busy, limelight-oriented film industry,” said Shetty, who has to his credit blockbusters like “Border”, “Mohra”, “Gopi Kishan” and comedy series “Hera Pheri”.

On his association with sports, Sunil Shetty said from childhood, he had been involved with the sports, gym and kick-boxing. “So when the opportunity to be associated with and promote sports came, I partnered in the Celebrity Cricket League by owning Mumbai Cricket Heroes,” he added.

Citing his television stint as host of the show “Biggest Loser Jeetega” as a learning curve for he got to interact with the audience directly, Shetty said he had now cut down on doing films as he wanted to do only quality roles.

When questioned how he made the transition from being a macho star to a comedy star, he said, “Comedy came naturally to me. Way back in 1994, I had essayed the comic role of a cop in Gopi Kishan. Due to action genre being more in demand, it was only later when I acted in “Hera Pheri” that directors and the audience took note of my comic talent.”