Sunil Shetty was born on 11th August 1961 in Mulki, near Mangalore. After completing his education, Sunil joined his dad in their family restaurant business.
Sunil Shetty made his debut in the film Balwaan which released in 1992. The film performed averagely at the box office. Mohra, an action thriller released in 1994 was Shetty’s first big hit. Following the heels of Mohra came 2 hits, Dilwale and Gopi Kishan (which had the actor playing a double role). Shetty starred in many films in the 1990s, his genre being action films. His role in the war film Border (1997) won him critical acclaim. Following this came a host of patriotic films like Refugee (2001), Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003) and LOC: Kargil (2003). Shetty also has panache for comedy and has acted in comedies like Hera Pheri (2000), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Chupke Chupke and Phir Hera Pheri (2006). In fact, he has become a regular in most of Priyadarshans comedies. Shetty turned producer and set up a production company called Popcorn Motion Pictures Ltd which produced films like Khel (2003), Rakht and Bhagam Bhag (2006). Of late, Shetty has starred mainly in multi starrers like Kaante (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004), Dus (2005) and Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007). In 2007 he appeared in his first English film Don't Stop Dreaming. Mohra was Sunil Shetty’s first hit and his first solo actor hit was ‘Krishna’. In the 90s he starred in many action films on a regular bases but has now moved on to acting in multi-starrer films. He has also to his credit one of the biggest comedy hits, Hera Pheri. As a producer, he hasn’t been very successful with all his films having bombed at the box office.
Sunil Shetty’s upcoming films are Mazhab, Tere Pyar Ki Kasam, International hera Pheri, One Two Three and Namaskar-One Crime Goes On and On. Sunil also runs a couple of businesses like a food chain and a water sports complex. He is also very passionate about cricket and car racing - the actor has a Hummer and he participates in car rallies from time to time.