Despite his action-hero tag, Suniel Shetty has always been one of Bollywood’s nice guys. And while the 53-year-old hasn’t had a release in a while, Suniel is excited about Koyelaanchal that releases this Friday. t2 dropped in at Filmalaya Studio in Andheri West in Mumbai to talk to ‘Anna’ about embarking on a new phase in his career, and daughter Athiya and son Ahaan’s interest in acting.

Apart from a cameo in Jai Ho, you have been missing from films. Where have you been?

There was no point in doing the kind of roles that were coming my way. I saw no need to jump into a film just for the sake of being seen. Also, there was the whole mess with my production house Popcorn Entertainment. I had to sort out that disaster and shut shop.

What has kept you busy in the past couple of years?

I have always been a multitasker. I decided to focus on my other businesses that I hadn’t been able to pay proper attention to. My father hasn’t been keeping well, so I have been spending time with him. And also with my kids and wife (Mana). When my kids were younger, I was making three-four films a year and couldn’t spend enough time with them. I am making up for lost time.

So, what interested you about Koyelaanchal?

It’s a real film. This is the oldest mafia in the country. It’s been around for longer than drugs, gold, arms or real estate. I play an IAS officer who doesn’t use muscle power to take on the coal mafia. Instead, he goes back to law books in his fight against corruption.

Everyone is calling this your second innings as an actor.

It is in a way, isn’t it? Look, I have been making movies for a very long time now. I am in my 50s, so obviously I can’t do the same kind of work I used to. I understand that I am not going to be the lead hero and I am okay with that. It’s only natural.

Are your criteria for picking films any different this time around?

It is. I can’t be running around trees anymore. I have to do films that justify my age and body language. Today, I am okay with even a five-minute role if I think it’s pivotal to the story and I have scope to perform. Earlier, I wouldn’t have entertained offers like that because the focus was only to do lead roles. I used to be concerned about who else was in the film or how many songs and action sequences I had. None of that matters anymore. Today, I am also focused on who the producer and director are because it’s futile to make a good film if it doesn’t get the right release.

Your daughter Athiya is shooting her debut film Hero. Was it always understood that she’d join the industry?

Not at all. It was my son Ahaan who has always been categorical about wanting to become an actor. He is 18 and he’s been preparing for some years now. Athiya was never interested in films. I remember we had gone to New York to look at colleges for her. When we returned to Mumbai, she told us that she was interested in becoming an actor. So, she went to New York University to study acting for a year and then came back and did another year-long course. And now she is shooting. It’s interesting to hear her take on cinema and how she approaches her work.

What kind of advice have you given Athiya and Ahaan on Bollywood?

I don’t want them to think of Fridays as a monster. Everyone tells you that Fridays can make or break a career. That’s not true. You can’t live in that fear. Also, I have made most of my career decisions from my heart. But I think both Athiya and Ahaan are smart. They will use their heads as well.

How do you compare how you made films in the ’90s to Athiya’s experiences?

It’s so different! Kids today are so well prepared even before they give their first shot. In our time, everyone who was launched wanted to be Amitabh Bachchan. Today, all of these young boys are so individualistic. I have made about 100 films in 22 years but I don’t think actors of today are looking to churn out films. It’s more about quality than quantity. We would get dialogues while on the sets, whereas actors today do so many workshops before they get on the set. They can make three films in the time that they workshop for one! (Laughs)