Gujarat is booming because of one leader: Suniel Shetty

TORONTO - Bollywood star Suniel Shetty may have no political affiliations, but he is all praise for Gujarat and its leader for making it the fastest growing state in India.

Without naming Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Suniel, who is here shooting for Anees Bazmee’s “Thank You”, showered praises on him during an interaction with media.

When someone from Gujarat asked him whether Bollywood was also eyeing a booming Gujarat, Shetty said: “Hollywood cannot leave LA (Los Angeles). So Bollywood kabhi nahi hil sakta (Bollywood will never move out of Mumbai). The only problem is that we are bursting at the seams… but it is a city of opportunity…it will always remain that way.”

But he was quick to add: “However, Gujarat is booming because of one leader, one decision. And the decision that is taken is very quick.”

“I myself am looking to do something in Gujarat. I have India’s only professional water sports running in Mumbai. Yeah, I want to do something in Gujarat, but that doesn’t mean Mumbai is in trouble,” he added.

When someone asked whether he was a vegetarian, he laughed and said, “No, no, I am not. Probably I would be, but I find it very difficult to maintain myself (weight) if I am a vegetarian.

“My general tendency is that during Ganpati festival or other such occassion if I try to stay vegetarian, I put on a pound or two extra (weight). Honesty, I need proteins for my muscles. I need fish. I need chicken. I don’t take red meat.”

About his partnership with www.abmeribaari.com to unearth talent around the world, he said: “It is a portal started by professionals - four of us - including Madhur Bhandarkar and myself.”

Well-known choreographer Saroj Khan and composer Anu Malek are also partners in the portal.

“If you genuinely believe that you have talent - any kind of talent- this portal will show you the path to get entry… not necessarily coming down to Mumbai and making struggle but from your own country or city. It was started three-four months. (Their) intentions are right, that’s why I decided to back them.”

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)