Suniel Shetty is set to feature in a cameo in the upcoming Tulu movie Jai, for which he did not charge a penny. Tulu at heart, Suniel reveals his motive is to raise awareness about his mother tongue and culture
Suniel Shetty
After a 30-plus-year career, Suniel Shetty is making his debut again — this time, in Tulu movies. The senior actor recently completed shooting for Jai, a political thriller directed by Roopesh Shetty. Although the actor only has a cameo in the film, where he plays himself, he holds it close to his heart. “I make a difference as I talk about my love for the state. It’s about my karmabhoomi and janmabhoomi as I owe a lot to both,” says Suniel.
The actor — who hails from Mulki, a town near Mangaluru — was happy to shoot the cameo free of charge, as he wanted to do his bit to raise awareness about his mother tongue. He shares, “I want Tulu to be an officially recognised language by the government. I want people to know about Tulunad and its culture. The region has a high literacy rate. Once people learn about it, they will realise it is one of the most beautiful coastal areas. It’s not a big deal [that I did] not take money; I wanted to promote my region and culture.”
Last week, the senior actor also received the Changemaker of the Year Award 2025 — From Entertainment To Entrepreneurship, presented by Google for Education and Viksit Bharat. The recognition highlights how he went beyond a successful career in films to become an entrepreneur. He is the owner of several restaurants and a lifestyle brand. “Awards will come and go. What is exciting is that I’m a part of the council chair. It is a huge responsibility to help build a nation of one million founders in the years to come.”
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