You don’t get to define him, Ahan Shetty does it for himself

When a young actor shares their last name with a yesteryear star, people are quick to assume that they know all about what it is like to be them, and that’s the star kid conundrum. Both a blessing and a curse, as some would say, Bollywood, today comes preconceived with expectation, scrutiny, and a narrative that’s often formed long before a debut. But then again, cinema thrives as much on legacy as it does on reinvention. You can be lucky enough to get a kickstart early on in your career, but staying the course is a whole different ball game, and Ahan Shetty seems to have cracked the code. 

From Tadap (2021) to Border 2 (2026), the actor is not in a hurry to chase scale, rather he is leaning into the process. “Discovering your rhythm as an actor isn’t something that happens instantly. It comes from a lot of trial and error,” he shares. “There are a lot of observations. There’s also a lot of letting go; not being too rigid and just allowing your performance to feel natural over time. Every role teaches you something new. So, the process of finding that rhythm is ongoing, and that’s what makes it super exciting.” 

Intriguing me with the perception that there’s more to him than we see, Shetty follows it up with a detailed take on his evolving relationship with the craft, his vision for mainstream cinema, his notions of fame and success, and a lot more. 

Beyond the tags

With a demeanour as unhurried as his, Shetty moves away from the quintessential superhero mould of Bollywood, emerging instead as one who seems far more relatable. The idea of the Bollywood hero has quietly, yet significantly, shifted over the years. The invincible, larger-than-life leading man has made room for someone way more emotionally accessible and real. “A decade ago, a leading man was often expected to be larger than life, flawless, and very heroic. Now people just want to see a character who feels real, and has a certain individuality,” agrees the actor. And more so, he encourages himself to be that shift. “So, in a way, for me, being a leading man today is less about projecting an image and more about being truthful, doing unconventional roles, playing flawed characters, and being brave enough to not always look heroic. And that’s actually a much more exciting space to grow in as an actor,” insists Shetty. Sharing his vision for mainstream cinema, he says, “I’d rather see more honesty and risk-taking and less playing it safe.” 

Turning it out

Much like our idea of the Bollywood hero, fame too has undergone a quiet recalibration. What might look like fame to us today, might be a learning curve for them. As a Bollywood buff, I’ve often wondered how growing up around fame, as opposed to being on the receiving end of that gaze, really shapes one’s understanding of it. As soon as I express it, the actor quickly interrupts, “there’s no real off switch!”. He adds: “People form opinions very quickly, and you’re often seen without being fully known. It definitely makes you more self-aware, but also teaches you to stay grounded, set boundaries, and not let the noise kind of define you.” Asked if there’s one voice that seems to cut through that noise, Shetty admits that it is that of his father. “One thing my father [Suniel Shetty] always said was just show up and do the work, everything else is noise,” he shares. “Growing up, it sounded very simple, but once I started my journey as an actor, I understood what he truly meant—there are so many distractions, it’s easy to lose your focus. So, just focus on the craft, be honest, and don’t get carried away with the highs or the lows, and everything else will just follow.” It’s a perspective that naturally extends to how he defines success today—one that steers clear of box-office numbers, recognition, or the need to prove something. Instead, for him “it’s less about one big moment and more about sustaining a journey”.

Off the record

Beyond the metrics of fame and success, Shetty’s accent to stardom is rooted in something he circles back to often, both as a value and a practice—grounding. It’s a value shaped by the people closest to him. “Sometimes I like to just go off on holiday with my trainer, just train. That’s a way for me to forget about everything and focus on myself. It truly makes me happy; it reminds me of who I am beyond films,” reveals Shetty. It’s this insistence on simplicity that begins to stand out in an industry inundated with pomp and show. It isn’t always a paparazzi moment, or a box-office hit, but sometimes it takes something as simple as being yourself to find your footing in a world that often thrives on spectacle. “[In future] I want roles that challenge me and push me to grow, get me out of my comfort zone. To stay present for the people who truly matter to me, as a son, as a brother, a friend, as an uncle, a mamu and also now being 30, I want to partner and hopefully build a family of my own along the way,” concludes the actor.

Editor: Rasna Bhasin (@rasnabhasin)
Photographer: Sarang Gupta (@saranggupta)
Stylist: Pranav Goswamy (@pranavgoswamy)
Interview: Jhanvi Duggal (@jhanvii.23)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Hair Artist: Team Hakim’s Aalim (@aalimhakim)
Makeup Artist: Indradeo Thakur (@_indradeothakur_)
Set Design: Purnima Nath (@visualsbypurnima)
Assistant Stylist: Sheryl Khurana (@sherylkhurana)

Ahan is wearing a linen-blend jacket and trousers, along with Pashmy Red Dot (beige shoes), all from the Tod’s Spring–Summer 2026 collection.

Also read: Sreeleela on curiosity, craft, and the dualities that define her

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