BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: 5 films that prove Suniel Shetty can act!

Birthday Boy Suniel Shetty describes himself as an accidental actor. He never planned his cinematic debut in Balwaan in 1992. But accidental or not, any actor thronged by excessive criticism is likely to sulk and that’s precisely what happened with our Anna. But those of you who think he cannot act, we guess you haven’t seen these immensely memorable films!

1. Gopi Kishan (1994)

A comedy of errors where Shetty played a double role, one of a dim-witted and timid cop and the other of a daredevil officer, Gopi Kishan is what we describe as guilty pleasure. And Shetty was completely convincing in both the roles.

2. Mohra (1994)

Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon setting the screen on fire with Tip Tip Barsa Paani and Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast aside, Mohra was a film about Shetty’s character. Victimized by the law and angered by injustice, he transforms into a vigilante, albeit misguided and used as a pawn by Jindaal (Naseeruddin Shah), he brought both valor and vulnerability to his character of Vishal Agnihotri.

3. Border (1997)

Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh was obsessed with our Desh Ki Mitti. Show a slightest sign of insult or indifference and all hell would break loose. Despite Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna’s well-etched characters and believable performances, Shetty made his role equally significant and striking.

4. Hera Pheri (2000)

Shyam was an ordinary character that essayed the brutal reality of millions of people struggling with the menace of unemployment. But even this catastrophe was given a comical touch by Priyadarshan. Someone who senses a portent waiting to happen, Suniel Shetty’s performance oscillated between aspirations and desperation.

5. Dhadkan (2000)

He won the Filmfare Award for the Best Actor in a Negative Role for this Dharmesh Darshan directorial. A hopeless lover hell bent on winning the love of his life back, the actor hammed his way through this musical hit and gave us enough reasons to savor his over-the-top performance. Suniel Shetty could very well be described as an actor who knows how to ham correctly.

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