Suniel Shetty on KL Rahul as son-in-law: 'My heart said, Good this is right.’

Suniel Shetty recently shared an interesting insight about how he “manifested” KL Rahul as his son-in-law, long before the cricketer and his daughter, Athiya Shetty, began their relationship. In a candid interview with The Lallantop, the actor revealed his admiration for Rahul’s cricketing skills and character well before the two became family.

Suniel’s connection to KL Rahul started purely as a cricket enthusiast. “My obsession with cricket and with KL Rahul as a young cricketer… You can ask my friend Dilip. He would call me during my shoots and say, ‘Anna, this guy’s got something special — come to Wankhede.’ So I would drop everything and go,” he said with a laugh. At that time, Athiya and Rahul were not in a relationship. The actor appreciated Rahul not only for his talent but also for his quiet strength and humble nature. The fact that Rahul hailed from Mangalore created an additional sense of affinity for Suniel.

The first personal meeting between Suniel and Rahul happened quite naturally, without much fuss. He recalled meeting the cricketer at an airport lounge when Rahul’s manager approached him to say hello. “I walked over and met this incredibly grounded, humble young man. I walked away thinking, ‘What a lovely boy,’” Suniel said. When he later found out about Athiya and Rahul dating, he felt a sense of calm acceptance. “My heart said, ‘Good. This is right.’”

Suniel emphasized that his approval wasn’t based merely on Rahul’s cricket fame but on the values he saw in him. “Even today, I tell my wife, we’re blessed. Rahul is everything a father could hope for his daughter. Kind, respectful, grounded. That’s rare,” he shared.

He also highlighted that he always encouraged Athiya to choose her own partner. “I said to her, ‘Choose someone who makes you laugh, who respects you, who you can be happy with — that’s what matters.’” While he hoped her partner would come from a humble background and value relationships, he was happy that Rahul fit those criteria.

Suniel also spoke about his feelings during Athiya’s bidaai but dismissed the idea that he cried. His words reflected a balanced, composed father’s perspective rather than emotional dramatics, reinforcing his thoughtful approach to family and life.