Suniel Shetty says release-day nerves never fade, even after 100 films

Indian actor reveals anxiety around a film's release never truly disappears, even after three decades in the industry

More than three decades into his film career and over 100 movies later, Indian actor Suniel Shetty says the anxiety surrounding a film's release has never disappeared.

Speaking ahead of the release of his upcoming comedy-action film Welcome to the Jungle, the actor reflected on the uncertainty of box office success, admitting that excitement about a new project is often accompanied by nervous anticipation.

"Everything is connected to it. A film's success is tied to its box office performance," Shetty said. "One Friday can change everything. One Friday you may be on top, and the next Friday you may not. So yes, there's always excitement, anxiety, tension, and nervous anticipation."

The actor explained that regardless of experience, the industry's unpredictable nature means every release carries significant pressure.

At the same time, Shetty said he takes comfort in the film's star-studded ensemble cast, describing it as a "safety net".

Welcome to the Jungle features a large lineup of actors, including Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani and several others. "The film has an incredible ensemble cast. There's a certain safety net that comes with having such talented people come together," he said.

Despite his optimism, Shetty stressed that a film's ultimate success depends on audience response rather than the cast's own perception of the project.

"The film is truly very entertaining. I can't say whether it's good or bad because everyone's perspective is different," he noted. "When we watch the film, we enjoy it immensely. But when the audience watches it on Friday, their perspective can be completely different."

Reflecting on the filmmaking process, Shetty also spoke about the unique challenges of working in a comedy-action film, particularly the difficulty of maintaining a straight face during humourous scenes. "When a co-star delivers a line and someone starts laughing, the shot has to be cut," he explained.

His remarks offer a glimpse into the realities of Bollywood, where even established stars remain vulnerable to the highs and lows of box office performance, regardless of their experience or longevity in the industry.