When Suniel Shetty talked about alleged rivalry with Akshay Kumar in the 90s: 'I don't decide who I want to pose with...'

After making his debut in the 1992 film 'Balwaan', Suniel Shetty was viewed as a potential rival to the then-successful Akshay Kumar. Rumors about their competition were common, with Rediff in 1997 suggesting that Suniel was unsettling Akshay’s position. Suniel later addressed these rumors in an interview with the website.

Magazine Covers and Media Speculation

Suniel and Akshay featured on magazine covers alongside Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen, respectively. While some interpreted this as a rivalry or competition, Suniel dismissed such notions, stating that there was no conflict or tension between them.

Media-Created Rivalry

Reported in Hindustan Times, Suniel clarified that the rivalry between him and Akshay was created by the media. He explained that the decision about whom to pose with for magazine covers is made by the magazines themselves, not by the actors. Suniel emphasized that there is no personal issue between him and Akshay, suggesting that the magazines have their own internal competition. For example, if one magazine features Akshay with Sushmita Sen, another might feature Suniel with Aishwarya Rai. He added that posing for photographs is simply part of their profession and is done in a professional spirit without any underlying conflict.

Fans See Through the Hype

When asked if people actually believed the rivalry narrative between him and Akshay, Suniel explained that fans are not easily fooled. He pointed out that magazines compete by sensationalizing stories on their covers to boost sales, but readers do not necessarily take those rumors seriously or believe the gossip.

Long Standing Collaboration

Since their early collaborations in the 1993 films 'Waqt Hamara Hai' and 'Pehchaan', Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty have frequently shared the screen. They gained further popularity with the 1994 blockbuster 'Mohra'. In 2000, the duo successfully shifted gears from action to comedy with 'Hera Pheri', alongside Paresh Rawal. Their partnership continued with movies like 'Dhadkan', 'Awara Paagal Deewana', and 'Deewane Huye Paagal'. Fans can soon catch them together again in the upcoming films 'Welcome to the Jungle' and 'Hera Pheri 3'.