Suniel Shetty turns down role in his own film

By: Subhash K. Jha, IndiaFM
Monday, May 28, 2007
Suniel Shetty would rather be a producer than an actor.

"Or rather, I can't be both. I'll either be a producer or an actor. I'll never act in a film I produce," says Suniel Shetty, and proves it by actually saying no to a plum role in Apoorva Lakhia's film on international terrorism.

Relates Sunil, "Apoorva came to sign me as an actor for fantastic role in Mission Istanbul. But when I heard the script I offered to produce the film for him."

Isn't it very unusual for an actor to relinquish a ravishing role and offer to spend crores of money instead on producing the picture?

Suniel laughs, "My company Popcorn Entertainment has to grow and for that I need to sign good writers and directors. I'll produce Apoorva's Mission Istanbul. Earlier I had said no to a role in Priyadarshan's Bhagam Bhag. I wanted Govinda to do the role and offered to produce the film instead."

As for Sunil's opportunities as an actor he feels Shootout At Lokhandwala is a new beginning for him. "I'm so happy that my role has shaped up well. People like my toughie's act and my banter with Arbaaz Khan. I remember Apoorva had called me in the US to step into the role at the eleventh hour when Arjun Rampal had decided to opt out. I immediately agreed because I had implicit faith in both Sanjay Gupta and Apoorva Lakhia. I just told Apu, 'I've been let down many times. Please don't let me down again.' He promised he won't. And he kept his word. After working with him in Shootout....I know he can deliver the goods."

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