Mumbai:
In the glamorous world of Bollywood, several stars inherit a legacy of acting, but reaching a position of their own is not always easy for them. When the family environment is shaped by discipline, strict rules and traditional values, entering the entertainment industry can become a challenge. Actress Athiya Shetty’s story is somewhat similar.In the household of veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, popularly known as ‘Anna’, there were strict rules regarding children’s entertainment, particularly films and television. At a time when screen time is rarely restricted for today’s younger generation, Athiya faced considerable restrictions on entertainment activities during her childhood.Born on November 5, 1992, in Mumbai, Athiya Shetty is the daughter of Bollywood star Suniel Shetty and Mana Shetty, a fashion designer and social worker. Despite her father’s celebrity status, her mother raised her away from Bollywood’s glamorous world and star gatherings in areas such as Juhu and Bandra. The family lived in the Altamount Road area of South Mumbai, with the aim of giving the children a normal upbringing.Actor Suniel Shetty had a strict rule at home: his children were not allowed to visit film sets, and film magazines were not permitted in the house. He did not want his children growing up reading film industry gossip, rumours or negative news of any kind. As a result, Athiya and her brother Ahan Shetty were not allowed to visit their father’s film sets. They were raised in an ordinary environment so that they could stay away from the pressures of the limelight.From an early age, Athiya was also encouraged to develop a sense of social responsibility. When she was just 10–12 years old, she would visit the organisation ‘Save the Children India’, run by her mother and grandmother, to teach and assist children with special needs.Suniel Shetty believed that the ups and downs of the film industry, success and failure, and media trials should not affect his children’s mental development. He wanted them to enjoy a safe and normal childhood.During a podcast, Suniel Shetty also revealed why he chose an international or American board school for his children instead of the Indian education board. He said he wanted them to study in schools where the teachers and staff were American or foreign nationals and were not particularly familiar with Indian cinema stars. This, he felt, would ensure that his children did not face the psychological pressure or special treatment associated with being ‘Suniel Shetty’s daughter or son’. He wanted them to remain grounded and develop their own identities.Interestingly, despite these restrictions, Athiya eventually chose acting as her career. After completing her schooling, she secured admission to a college in Atlanta, the United States, for further studies. However, her mind changed at the airport, where she told her father that she wanted to enter the world of films instead.She subsequently travelled alone to New York City and enrolled at the prestigious New York Film Academy. There, she completed her graduation in filmmaking and liberal arts. After completing her higher education, she made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with the film ‘Hero’.
