Back in 2001, during the aftermath of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attack, actor Suniel Shetty found himself in a terrifying situation in Los Angeles. At the time, he was in the city filming Kaante with director Sanjay Gupta. In a recent interview, Suniel opened up about how he was mistakenly held at gunpoint by the police, handcuffed, and labelled a threat- all because of his appearance.
The Start Of A Nightmare
Speaking on Chanda Kochhar’s YouTube channel, Suniel recalled how he had just arrived in Los Angeles when the shocking images of the World Trade Center attack were broadcast worldwide. Shortly after, he found himself in a situation that was more horrifying than any film scene he had ever imagined.
“I had this beard at the time, and it was shortly after 9/11. I was walking into the hotel and realised I had forgotten my keys. I asked a gentleman in the lift if he had the keys, but before I knew it, he ran out and created a commotion,” Suniel Shetty recalled. “Within moments, armed cops stormed in and shouted, ‘Down or we shoot!’”
Also Read: When Nobody Came Forward, Salman Khan Donated Bone Marrow To Little Girl; Recalls Suniel Shetty
A Shocking Turn Of Events
The actor, still in shock, was forced to the ground and handcuffed by the police. “I had no idea what was going on. It was all happening so fast,” Suniel said. The confusion grew, but fortunately, the production team from Kaante and the hotel manager, who happened to be Pakistani, arrived to explain that Suniel Shetty was an actor, not a threat.
“I remember the production team coming in, and the hotel manager stepping in to clarify that I was an actor. It was insane,” he added, expressing the chaos that unfolded in those tense moments.
Reflecting on the incident, Suniel shared that his gesture to ask for the keys might have been misunderstood. “I thought maybe the man didn’t understand English, so I pointed to the keys and the lift, which obviously made things worse,” he explained.
Suniel Shetty’s Ongoing Projects
While the terrifying incident remains a memorable part of Suniel Shetty’s career, he has since moved on to bigger things. Currently, he is busy working on multiple projects, including Welcome to the Jungle, where he reunites with Akshay Kumar. The film, directed by Ahmed Khan, features a star-studded cast including Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, and Raveena Tandon. Suniel will also reprise his iconic role in Hera Pheri 3, much to the excitement of his fans.
