Suniel Shetty

Maybe it's a thing with other 60 year olds as well, but sometimes I find my thoughts going back to things from my past. It could be my childhood, summers in my hometown, business partners, my early years in the films, things I wish I’d done differently or some decisions I now regret.

Beating yourself up over things you regret could be unproductive. Instead, I look at those mistakes as valuable lessons to learn from, and focus on the future.

My personal life has been blessed with a solid foundation. In my professional journey though, I have my fair share of regrets.

Entered underprepared - I had virtually no acting skills when I got my first movie. I was fit & great at action, that’s all. My diction & body language were poor. I didn't know a thing about film-making. It didn't take the critics long to spot my flaws. People said unkind things, & for a long time I remained stubborn & focussed just on my strengths, instead of working on my weaknesses. Destiny will get you to a point. Beyond that, it’s down to what you make of it.

Market positioning - In the early years of my career, I had no strategy at play. My decisions lacked pattern. On one hand I’d deliver a big budget hit & on the other my next movie would end up being a low budget, poorly made & badly marketed one. My actions left the market confused. I didn't know the value of positioning. If you don’t define yourself, no one else can.

Personal branding - In the movie business, failures get a lot of attention. But for some reason, I never ensured that my successes were spoken of. Over a 30 year career, I’ve never turned up late for a shoot or ever caused any troubles on set, yet I found it odd to market or pitch my discipline & commitment. Truth is, people need to know what you’re made of. Don’t oversell yourself or lie about your skills, but if you’re making an impact, it can't hurt to speak about it.

Leveraging success - There were several people I really wished to collaborate & work with. Despite several highs in the first 20 years, I never reached out to them. It really wasn't an ego thing, but probably just how my upbringing was. I believed that my work would speak for itself. Truth is, if you want something, you need to ask for it. And if you don’t ask, the answer is always no! Simple as that.

DIdn't always follow my heart - When I forayed into the real estate business, I was excited by the idea of building niche products like holiday homes. Yet, to start with, I focused more on those conventional large projects because they seemed like the 'right thing' to do. To an extent, that took away the joy I was looking for, & course correction cost me a few years!

Truth is, things get a lot worse than they should when we take longer to acknowledge mistakes.

God has been really kind. What I lacked in wisdom, I made up for by the sheer will to survive.

Yet, if I could go back in time & change something, it’d be my ability to recognise my shortfalls & fix them a lot sooner!

#regrets

Back in the ’90s, starting or running a business in India was a different ballgame.

It was the era of simple beginnings. Whether it was running a restaurant, opening a retail store, or even trying to establish a brand, the rules of the game were basic.

My Dad knew his regular customers by name. They trusted him to serve food that was fresh, tasty and affordable. It was all about relationships.

Because the hygiene, service and quality of the food spoke for themselves at Dad’s restaurants, customers kept returning, and they brought others along too.

Word of mouth was king. No one ever really advertised. Advertising was limited to some of the top FMCG brands who ran a few TVCs, a few hoardings and some print ads.

When I started my retail venture, Mischief, everything about building a brand was grounded in face to face interactions. Both, with clients and suppliers.

We didn’t have google, social media or data to tell us about the trends or what customers liked.

We basically observed, listened and relied on instincts. Sometimes you succeeded, other times you failed.

However, the feedback loop as we now call it, was immediate and personal. Fast forward to today, and it’s an entirely new world.

India’s young population, the spread of technology and the explosion of social media have completely changed how businesses are built and run.

Success today doesn’t just depend on what you offer. It’s about how you present it, who’s talking about it online and how well you can connect with your audience digitally.

Gone are the days when consistency alone was enough. Now, consumers expect innovation and an experience that’s tailored to them. They want brands that understand their values and stand for something.

Take retail, for example. Back in the day, footfall in the store meant everything. Today, a customer may never walk into your store at all. E-commerce has made convenience the priority.

And your reputation? It’s built not just through word of mouth but through reviews and ratings left by consumers on the internet!

Restaurants, too, have evolved. The local joints still exist, but now they’re competing with cloud kitchens and apps delivering anything you like to your doorstep.

The movie business has evolved too. Its life may begin at the box office but extends to OTT platforms, social media buzz and streaming algorithms.

These shifts, though challenging, are exciting. I truly enjoy having so much to learn about!

It means entrepreneurs in India today have more tools, more platforms and a far bigger market to tap into. But it also means they need to be more focused than ever.

As an old timer, I still feel like while technology and trends will always evolve, the essence of doing business remains the same. It will always be critical to offer value, build trust and being consistent.

And despite all these changes in the landscape, the fundamentals of a connection, whether through a handshake or a push notification, will remain timeless.

I'm absolutely thrilled about India's incredible performance at the Asian Games 2023!

What makes India’s spectacular performance memorable is that it's not just about medals -

It's about the heart and soul of our athletes.

And it’s just as much about seeing us as Indians starting to embrace diverse sports with open arms.

Mindset - Our young athletes are rewriting the rules with their unshakable self-belief. I see an attitude in their stride, I’ve never seen earlier. They're showing us what's possible when you believe in yourself.

Facilities - We've come a long way in providing our athletes with world class facilities, coaching, injury management & nutrition. There are still areas to cover, but what impact these can have on young athletes has now become visible in a matter of just a few years.

Grassroots - Thanks to initiatives like Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme and efforts of private bodies like Reliance Foundation & Inspire Institute of Sport, we're spotting talent in every corner of our nation. You should look up the work these guys are carrying out. So many of our medal winners have emerged from these grassroots programs.

Diversity - It's not just about cricket anymore. Success stories across athletics, badminton, chess, shooting, wrestling etc have given young kids across the country the hope that there is a future in sport.

That said, this is just the beginning. We still have a long way to go.

The best thing we can do is continue to support and inspire the next generation of champions.

Our athletes are not just competing - they're building a narrative of hope, determination and unity.

They're proving that no dream is too big, no obstacle too daunting.

It's a reminder that when a billion hearts beat as one, there's nothing we can't achieve 🇮🇳

#AsianGames2023 #ProudIndian

I was petrified on my first day on a film set, and almost never showed up.

30 years later I still felt nervous on my first day of filming with the great Rajnikanth Sir.

At home, I felt jittery when Athiya was bringing Rahul over to meet us as a family for the first time.

Everyone, without exception, knows what fear feels like. We’ve all faced it at some point - in both, our professional & personal journeys.

But here's the thing – what if we treated fear like it could be our ticket to something big?

In my years in films and business, I've learned a thing or two about those scary moments.

With time, I trained myself to treat fear like little signals that I’m standing on the edge of something great. It's almost like my mind telling me, “Hey pay attention, something important is happening here!“

Think about it – whenever we've faced something new, whether it's stepping onto a movie set for the first time or diving into a new venture, we naturally feel fear or nervousness.

Just like when you're hiking up a steep mountain and your heart pounds, fear is a sign that you're climbing towards a breathtaking view.

It's the moment before the curtain rises on a stage where you're about to shine. It's that split second before you take a leap, that could redefine your journey.

Why should we give fear a negative meaning?

If we remind ourselves that fear is not necessarily a bad thing, and instead treat it like a sign from above, and use it to give that opportunity our best shot, we really could be making the best of it.

Can we remind ourselves that fear is a natural part of growth? Can we treat fear like it was a gym for courage?

Sure, fear can make our knees wobble and make us jittery, but from my experiences - it's been like my personal trainer during some of the most important moments of my career and life.

Also, here's the truth - at most times, what we fear isn't even real. It's just a collection of doubts.

The more you face those fears head-on, the more you'll realise they take care of themselves.

Next time you feel fear, just take a deep breath, stand tall and remind yourself that you're on the brink of something goooooood. It means you’re pushing boundaries for bigger dreams.

Fear is good 🚀

This one is extremely close to my heart and I urge you to read on.

World Health Organization estimates that there are 63 million hearing impaired in India. They also estimate that 60% of hearing impairment can be addressed through early detection and interventions.

Hearing loss goes unnoticed due to lack of awareness. But, if it is detected in time, there is hope.

Vipla Foundation has launched #DialForDhvani (give a missed call on +91-22-49393333) - an initiative where we hope to reach out to as many hearing impaired children and their families, in need of immediate attention.

Parents will also receive guidance on the markers of hearing impairment and appropriate action to be taken, and will get support by way of devices such as Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants along with therapy.

Please consider this as a personal appeal to share this information generously so that we can reach every child in need.

If you wish to support Vipla through a timeless contribution, log on to https://lnkd.in/dUk3PajZ

Thank you so much, and god bless.

#NotForProfit #WHO #HearingImpaired #ShareThisPost #SpreadTheWord

In today's digital age, leveraging celebrity brand ambassadors has become a popular strategy for businesses, including startups.

As someone who's been a brand ambassador for various companies over the years and dabbled in startups myself, I've seen firsthand the ups & downs of this approach.

People often ask if it's always beneficial to have a celebrity endorse your products or services.

I’ll break it down to the most important things to consider.

Visibility - Celebrities bring a massive following, offering increased visibility & reach to a wider audience that may have been difficult to engage otherwise. This exposure could enhance brand recognition & create positive associations in consumers' minds.

Credibility -  The right kind of celebrity could inject a dose of credibility into your brand. Consumers may in turn perceive your product as reliable, particularly important for startups aiming to build a solid reputation & carve out a slice of the market.

Engagement - Some celebrities are able to forge personal connections with their community. By aligning your startup with a celebrity, you may be tapping into that emotional connection & that community may be more likely to show interest in your brand.

Costs - Engaging a celebrity ambassador comes at a price. Even if you opt for an equity-based deal, you still need to allocate valuable resources to amplify the association, potentially diverting funds from other key areas of requirement.

Authenticity - The alignment between the celebrity & your product must seem genuine. If the partnership feels like a misfit or forced, the results can be counter productive. Today's consumers are evolved & can sense inauthenticity from a distance.

Sustenance - While celebrities can generate a buzz in the short term, building interest & loyalty requires consistent effort & a solid value offering that goes beyond the celebrity association. Your product still needs to deliver exceptional value beyond the initial buzz..

Relevance - Ensure the celebrity aligns with the startup's target audience, values & offerings. The endorsement should make sense within the startup's brand identity & goals.

Budget - Assess whether the startup can afford the associated costs, especially including the ongoing marketing efforts. Do not assume that bringing a celebrity on board itself is going to win you the war. It’s just a head start.

Long-Term Strategy - A well-crafted partnership should naturally integrate into your overall marketing & branding strategy & solidify your position & bring sustained growth.

Timing - Most importantly, remember, spending so much in early stages, or early dilution in equity can have long-term consequences, so ask yourself if you’re really ready at this stage.

Ultimately, the decision to engage a celebrity brand ambassador should be based on your unique circumstances & goals. Hopefully this will help some make an informed decision.

#BrandAmbassadors #CelebrityEndorsements #InfluencerMarketing

I was invited to an event recently, where I spoke with an audience consisting mainly of young professionals.

A young man there asked me a question on the lines of what amongst all the things I do, brings me the most joy.

I have to admit, the answer I offered those youngsters was one that came from muscle memory. I spoke on the lines of how I truly enjoy every thing I do.

Almost as if that was the right answer to give in that moment. I wasn’t lying. I really do enjoy it all. But something about my answer felt a bit rehearsed. It’s almost like I gave the answer I thought I “should” in a forum like that.

But something about the look on the boys face told me he was expecting me to be more real. The moment passed. But that look stayed with me and I knew I had to get it out.

So here goes. This is what brings me the most joy.

Of all the things I do, nothing nourishes my soul more than the beauty of a slow morning at home with the comfort of my family, especially my kids around me, and some simple homemade food on our table.

Or a Saturday evening with friends I’ve known since we were kids, and a Sunday at home, spent disconnected from the world and doing literally nothing!

Even those 15 mins every morning with my plants, with the soft glow of the early morning sun falling on them, are pure bliss.

The luxury of a workout and yet having time on hand every morning before the world around me goes into hyper mode, gives me the advantage of setting my day up.

Once I’m set the parts that I truly look forward to, with genuine enthusiasm, are the processes.

My day could consist of shooting in a closed studio all day, or at the office just solving problems or out there meeting new people discussing new opportunities.

I can’t put my finger on any one bit or part - but what I do know is it’s going through the little parts and processes of any of these routines that brings me my joy.

When I’m out there meeting young entrepreneurs with new business ideas, I am genuinely enjoying listening to them speak of their purpose, pain points and their plans.

If I’m shooting for a film on a set with 300 hundred people doing their thing, I am genuinely enjoying being a part of the process or being and a good team mate.

There are days at stretch that I’m spending with the team in the office planning for what we do next or solving issues, and I feel genuine fulfillment.

And that’s the thing - with age, you realise there is no single point or milestone that will give you ‘that joy’ … it’s really just how you choose to go through the processes, what state of mind you decide to turn up with each day, that decides how you go.

And one honest way of knowing if you’re doing things the right way is to check if you go to bed each night feeling good. Are you getting a good night’s sleep everyday?

Every now and then, when you’re sipping that cup of chai, allow yourself that space for introspection.

As someone who's been a lifelong cricket romantic, I'm bursting with pride at the amazing achievements of the Indian cricket teams.

The men’s team is now just the 2nd team in cricket history to hold the top rank in all three formats of the game. This is a huge deal, and it's an outcome of the hard work the athletes have put in over the years.

The women’s team is doing exceptionally well and brought home the Gold at the Asian Games. Players like Mithali, Harmanpreet and Smriti are household names today, and in turn are inspiring thousands of young girls across the country to take up sport as a career.

However, I don’t see how any of this would’ve been possible without the smart leadership of the BCCI. Over the last 25-30 years, no other governing body in world sport has played a role as crucial as the one BCCI has.

Not many of the administrators get the kind of acknowledgement they deserve but the truth is, people like Mr Dungarpur and Mr Dalmiya played such an important part in instilling self belief in the players and fans, back in the 90’s when our Teams weren't the world dominators that we are today.

Over the last 50 years, I've watched Indian cricket transform from being seen as underdogs to becoming one of the best in the world.

For businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals, there lies a big lesson in how BCCI has gone about its business in the last 25-30 years -

BCCI's financial acumen has been remarkable. They didn’t squander earnings from media rights and sponsorships. They wisely reinvested these resources back into cricket.

Investments in grassroots development, scouting, coaching and technology for player analysis have created a cycle of growth. The impact is visible in India's consistent performance on the international stage.

Indian cricket’s success underlines the importance of strategic investment. Whether you're an entrepreneur building a business or a professional advancing in your career, allocating resources wisely with a long-term vision is crucial.

And the BCCI has done all of this really well.

Professionals and entrepreneurs should be open to new ideas and willing to pivot when necessary. Staying ahead of the curve through innovation can lead to breakthroughs and just how well BCCI adapted to a changing landscape is evident with the success of the IPL.

Here's to the past, present, and future of Indian cricket. May our teams keep rising, and may cricket continue to be a part of our lives for generations to come.

#IndianCricket #BCCI #ProudCricketFan

Recently, I teamed up with Anirudh Pole ABC Fitness Firm. For me, this was a decision guided not just by business acumen but by the genuine belief in the need to develop a sporting culture within young kids.

At its heart, ABC Sports is more than just business. It’s a movement to weave sports into the everyday lives for young kids, working adults and even senior citizens.

Why am I so invested in this?

Because it bothers me to see how sports has been an afterthought for the last few generations of kids. For many in my age group, it was at the very front and center of growing up.

And we know how it helped build character.

It pains me to see how kids today are missing out on joys of playing outdoors every evening. Adults too.

ABC Sports is on a mission to transform casual playtime into a structured form of sports training aimed at helping kids develop essential physical and life skills.

Their pitch was simple. As urban India moves towards living in modernised townships with decent sporting facilities, lack of infrastructure isn’t a challenge.

What we lack is structured programs that encourage children to engage in sports.

ABC Sports bridges this gap with certified trainers and formal programming that not only gets kids active but also nurtures a competitive spirit and discipline.

That it helps young skilled trainers with a form of employment is just a bonus.

The challenge is, enough kids aren’t playing sport today, and even fewer are competing. ABC conducts community sports leagues that will teach them how to handle winning and losing - a crucial life skill.

It’s this kind of exposure to community, sport, competition, discipline and hardwork that our children and us need.

I can see how this will have a rub off effect over time.

ABC Sports is more than just a business venture for me. It’s about supporting a vision that I’m fully aligned with. It feels right.

Here’s to moving, playing, inspiring and learning a little more about the game of life!