Bollywood has often been a playground for star kids trying to carve out their space under the limelight. Some succeed spectacularly, while others fade quietly. Athiya Shetty, daughter of Bollywood veteran Suniel Shetty, belongs to the latter category. As she turns 33, her journey stands as an example of how success in films doesn’t always define one’s worth or happiness.
Where did it all begin?
Athiya’s early years hinted at an artistic streak. She studied at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai before attending the American School of Bombay, where she performed in school plays alongside Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff. Determined to refine her craft, she later pursued an acting course at the prestigious New York Film Academy.
A dream debut that fell flat
Athiya’s Bollywood journey began in 2015 with Hero, a romantic-action film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Salman Khan. It was a remake of Subhash Ghai’s 1983 classic and was expected to launch both Athiya and her co-star Sooraj Pancholi into stardom. However, the film earned only Rs 34.82 crore against a budget of Rs 36 crore, failing to make the desired impact at the box office.
Struggles to find her footing
After her debut, Athiya appeared in Mubarakan (2017), Nawabzaade (2018), and Motichoor Chaknachoor (2019). While she shared the screen with seasoned actors like Arjun Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, none of these films managed to revive her career. Despite her efforts, box office numbers didn’t favour her, and gradually, she stepped away from acting projects.
Did Athiya quit acting?
Yes. Suniel Shetty confirmed in an interview that his daughter had decided to step back from films. “Athiya told me she doesn’t want to continue acting,” he revealed. The decision reflected maturity and self-awareness, traits that perhaps make her stand apart from others chasing the spotlight.
Life beyond the camera
Athiya found peace and happiness away from showbiz. Her relationship with cricketer KL Rahul began in 2019, and after years of quiet dating, the couple tied the knot on January 23, 2023, in an intimate ceremony at Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala. Their love story added a new chapter this year when they welcomed their daughter, Ivara, on March 24, 2025.
Today, Athiya might not be on the big screen, but she continues to remain a favourite among fans for her elegance, calm demeanour, and grounded presence, living proof that sometimes walking away from fame is the bravest move one can make.
Highlights:
- Athiya Shetty made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with Hero, produced by Salman Khan.
- Despite multiple film releases, she quit acting after a series of box office flops.
- Now happily married to cricketer KL Rahul, Athiya welcomed her daughter Ivara in March 2025.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: india.com
