Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Suniel Shetty: From Rivalry to Friendship - Understanding His Bond with Akshay Kumar

Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar’s equation is just like their ‘Hera Pheri’ characters.

If you look at Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar’s careers, you’ll see they’ve had quite a few things in common, especially in the early days. Both ruled the ’90s as action stars, both were fitness icons, and both eventually found their groove in comedy. And when they came together on screen, they ruled and how. Their chemistry was effortless, and that’s exactly why we saw them team up in so many films, 'Hera Pheri' being the absolute standout. However, what makes their story even more interesting is what happens off-screen. It actually started with rivalry, went through its ups and downs, and turned into a close friendship over the years.

So today, on Suniel Shetty’s 64th birthday, let’s take a look at his bond with Akshay Kumar that has seen competition, brotherhood, and everything in between.

Chapter 1: The Early Years 

The ‘90s were a testosterone-fueled chapter in Hindi cinema, and both Suniel and Akshay arrived right in time. Suniel made his debut with 'Balwaan' in 1992, channeling raw power with a stoic glare. Akshay, who had entered the fray a year earlier with 'Saugandh', brought agility, boyish confidence, and a clean-cut screen presence that clicked quickly with producers.

Naturally, comparisons followed. Tabloids painted them as two action stars with overlapping fan bases, shoulder-to-shoulder in ensemble films and gym-honed physiques. The industry, which never shies away from stirring the pot, only fed the narrative. When Anil Kapoor famously took a dig at them as “50 percent heroes” during the 'Mohra' poster reveal, the jab stung. Suniel would later admit in an interview, “Of course it hurt. Anyone would feel bad.” 

Their first film together, 'Waqt Hamara Hai' (1993), wasn’t a frictionless beginning. Suniel, speaking decades later, confessed that he felt a pang of emotion the first time he met Akshay, because Kumar reminded him of a cousin he had lost in a car accident. “It wasn’t rivalry,” he said, adding, “It was something personal. He reminded me of someone I loved.”

(Credit: Suniel Shetty FC)

Still, in those formative years, they stood on opposite banks. They were colleagues, not comrades. But the seeds of mutual regard were taking root.

Chapter 2: When Comedy Rewrote the Script

It wasn’t action, but comedy, that began to blur the lines between professional and personal. When 'Hera Pheri' hit theatres in 2000, few could have predicted the phenomenon it would become. Even fewer knew that behind the scenes, something equally enduring was taking shape. Under Priyadarshan’s tight direction, the trio of Akshay, Suniel, and Paresh Rawal created a chaos so rhythmically brilliant that it became Bollywood folklore.

There were no rewrites allowed on set. “You had to stick to the script,” Suniel recalled. “But the magic? That was all in how we reacted. Akshay’s a total masti-khor; he could turn a 16-hour shoot into a laugh riot.”

Their on-screen tension and affection didn’t come from nowhere. It came from comfort, and perhaps, the relief of not having to compete anymore.

They followed up with hits like 'Awara Paagal Deewana', 'Dhadkan', and 'De Dana Dan', but it was 'Hera Pheri' that etched them in memory as a package deal. Akshay’s mischief often spilled into off-camera pranks. Suniel remembered one moment when his protein shake mysteriously disappeared on set, only to see Akshay sprinting off with it, grinning. “I ran after him like a school kid,” he laughed.

Chapter 3: The Real Brotherhood

What elevates the bond between Suniel and Akshay is what exists when the cameras aren’t rolling. They’ve shared far more than scripts. Mornings spent playing cricket in the freezing cold, roadside paratha stops after overnight shoots, unspoken agreements about keeping work drama separate from personal equations. Suniel often refers to Akshay as “inspiring,” especially for his discipline, while Akshay describes Suniel as the kind of friend who always shows up.

When Suniel’s son, Ahan Shetty, made his acting debut in 'Tadap', Akshay didn’t hold back. “Anna,” he said, “he’s a star.” That kind of affirmation meant something coming from someone who had once been a competitor.

(Credit: Suniel_Shetty Universe)

And their families are close. Athiya Shetty and Twinkle Khanna share an easy bond. They’ve supported each other’s ventures, from fitness campaigns to charitable cricket matches. In 2025, when friction between Akshay and Paresh Rawal threatened to derail 'Hera Pheri 3', it was Suniel who stepped in. “Talk to each other,” he urged them. “Don’t let others wedge themselves into what we’ve built.”

Chapter 4: Today, They’re Family

By now, the friendship needs no decoding. When Akshay handed Suniel a ceremonial black belt at a martial arts tournament in 2024, he captioned the moment: “Anna’s still got the moves.” The post went viral not because it was flashy, but because it was sincere. That’s what fans love about them.  

In interviews, Suniel has said that 'Hera Pheri 3' came together because he reminded Akshay and Paresh of what really mattered: the mutual respect that had built the franchise in the first place. And on birthdays or milestones, the exchanges are always light-hearted and rooted in love. Last year, Akshay posted: “To the man who’s all heart and zero ego, happy birthday, Anna!” 

(Credit: ETC Bollywood)

They’ve seen the best and worst of each other’s journeys. And through it all, they’ve held steady as friends who remember where it all began.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Shetty!