Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff built a strong friendship early in their Hindi cinema careers. A recent television moment brought that bond back into focus. The story involved an unsold film, empty seats, and a gesture that turned disappointment into solidarity. It also showed how friendship often played out behind the scenes, far from box office headlines.
Story of friendship on television
Once Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff appeared on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 13’ together. During the episode, Jackie spoke about how Suniel supported him during tough times. He remembered that Suniel helped him with clothes from his shop and supported him when his father was unwell.
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Jackie then shared a memory from the time one of his films released but struggled at the ticket counter. He said, “Ek picture meri release huyi thi aur humlog inke hotel mein pahuch jaate the (One of my films released and we used to go to his hotel). He had a hotel called Broadway.”
Jackie explained that someone informed them that tickets for his new release remained unsold. “Jackie woh teri picture release huyi uski tickete abhi bhi baki hai, biki nahi (Jackie, your film has released and the tickets are still left, they have not sold),” the person said.
Jackie recalled Suniel’s immediate response. “Toh yeh bole, ‘Ticket kharidle, jitne bache hai kharid lo. Full honi chahiye dada ki picture’ (So he said, ‘Buy the tickets, buy all the ones left. Dada’s film should be housefull’).” He added, “Toh unhone saari tickete kharid lee. Kaun kiske liye khariddta hai? (So he bought all the tickets. Who does that for someone?)” Jackie laughed as he finished the story and said Suniel went and bought nearly half the tickets just to ensure the theater looked full.
Long professional association
Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff appeared together in several films such as ‘Border’, ‘Refugee’, and ‘Hulchul’. Their bond off screen often showed in their performances.
Suniel Shetty starred in films like ‘Dhadkan’, ‘Hera Pheri’, and ‘Main Hoon Na’. He last appeared in the Kannada-Tulu drama ‘Jai’. Jackie Shroff worked in more than 200 films over a career spanning four decades. He recently appeared in ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’.