Suniel Shetty recently revealed that he turned down a ₹40 crore endorsement deal for a tobacco brand, saying he did not want to compromise his values or set a negative example for his children, Ahan and Athiya.

The actor, whose career spans more than three decades, said his personal principles have always guided his choices, both professionally and personally. Speaking to Peeping Moon, Suniel said he made a firm decision long ago never to promote tobacco products, regardless of the financial incentive.

He recalled being offered ₹40 crore for a tobacco advertisement but refusing the proposal outright, explaining that money alone could not sway him. Although he acknowledged that he could have used the money at the time, he said endorsing something he does not believe in was never an option. He added that he would not do anything that might reflect poorly on his children, and as a result, such offers no longer come his way.

Suniel also spoke about a difficult period following the illness and death of his father, Veerappa Shetty, in 2017. He said his father had been unwell since 2014, and caring for him took an emotional toll that led him to step away from acting entirely.

After a break of six to seven years, Suniel returned to films, though the comeback was challenging. He said that on the morning his father passed away, he received an offer to host a health show, which he viewed as a sign to resume work. He later took on a few South Indian film projects but admitted feeling uncertain after such a long gap, as the industry had changed and many faces were new.

Reflecting on the post-pandemic period, Suniel said he experienced a personal transformation. He began focusing on fitness, learning and self-improvement, which boosted his confidence and helped him realize that he no longer needed external validation.

The actor also expressed gratitude to his fans and the media for continuing to support and remember him during the years he was away from the spotlight.
 
 source : NDTV