Shine Shetty Interview
Q. You have explored television, cinema, reality shows, entrepreneurship, and now filmmaking. Looking back, how would you describe the journey that brought you here?
I believe I have explored every profession I have been part of and learned something from every role I have played, whether as an entrepreneur, an actor, or someone working in the hospitality industry. Today, as a filmmaker, everything I have experienced throughout this journey has contributed to who I am and where I stand today.
Q. You began your career in television before moving into films. What did that transition teach you about finding your identity as an actor?
Television can become monotonous after a point because you often play the same character for one, two, or even three years, depending on how long a show runs. As an actor, you want to explore yourself as a performer and become versatile, and that requires opportunities to play different characters.
Films offer more variety, sometimes allowing you to portray three or four different characters in a year. My experience in television also made the transition to films easier because television teaches you to perform efficiently. You often have fewer takes, so you learn to give your best from the very first one.
Another important lesson television taught me was patience. On film sets, people may be eager to finish their work and leave, but television requires you to spend entire days waiting for a single shot. Overall, television has contributed significantly to my growth as an actor and shaped my personality.
Q. Winning Bigg Boss Kannada brought you a different level of visibility. What did the experience teach you about handling public attention and staying grounded?
Bigg Boss Kannada gave me a much stronger connection with the audience. Although I already had recognition through television, the exposure I received through the show multiplied my popularity and made me a household name on a much larger scale.
One of the biggest lessons the experience taught me was patience. It also reinforced the importance of staying grounded. If people cannot relate to you, it becomes difficult to build a genuine connection with them.
For an audience to come to a theatre and watch your film, that personal connection often matters. They may initially come because they feel connected to you, and later, the film itself becomes the reason they return.
Another important lesson was the value of relationships. In the outside world, we meet many people, so it may seem easier to let go of a friendship after a disagreement. Inside the Bigg Boss house, however, you realise how important it is to preserve relationships. I now try my best to save the relationships in my life, whether they are friendships or other meaningful connections. I believe in giving my last ounce of energy and love to preserve the people who matter to me.
Q. Alongside entertainment, you have also explored entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry. How has building something outside entertainment shaped the way you approach work and life?
My entrepreneurial journey was in the hospitality industry, and it helped keep me grounded. I have always considered myself a grounded person, but when someone comes from a small town and enters the glamour industry, the attention and opportunities can sometimes make celebrity status feel intoxicating.
Before my entrepreneurial journey, I had spent around five or six years working as an actor in television. Somewhere along the way, that celebrity experience had begun to influence me, even if only a little.
Working as an entrepreneur brought me back to my roots. It reminded me of how things really work and helped me appreciate life from a unique perspective. The experience taught me to remain neutral and grounded so that I could handle different situations in life with a clearer mind.
Q. You are now stepping into writing and production with Shankarabharana. What made you want to move from being part of stories to creating and producing stories of your own?
I have always been an explorer, whether through acting, entrepreneurship, or now filmmaking and production. I have tried to explore life through every responsibility I have taken on.
Before starting my own production journey, I sometimes felt a void in the films I worked on. As an actor, there were certain stories I wanted to tell and particular ways in which I wanted to tell them, but I could not always find that approach within the different teams I worked with.
That does not mean their approach was wrong. Every filmmaker has their own perspective and way of presenting a story. However, I wanted to explore a different creative direction.
I realised that if I wanted to tell stories in my own way, I needed to take responsibility for them and become the driving force behind the creative process. That desire led me towards writing and production.
Q. For someone from a smaller town who dreams of entering the entertainment industry, what is one lesson from your own journey that you believe they should learn?
The biggest lesson from my journey is consistency.
I entered the industry in 2012, but before that, I had worked as an anchor for a local television channel in my hometown for almost four years. I also hosted birthday parties, weddings, and other events because I had been told that anchoring could help me find opportunities in acting.
Back then, the industry was not as accessible as it is today. Now, social media gives people the opportunity to create their own platforms. Someone can showcase their talent online and potentially get noticed by a production house without having to wait for a traditional opportunity.
You do not always need to wait for someone to give you a platform; you can create one yourself. What matters is having self-confidence, staying consistent, and continuing to work towards your goals.
Q. How important is authenticity in achieving long-term success, and what does being true to yourself require?
I would not necessarily recommend everything I have done to everyone because being real requires a lot of courage, and it can take considerable time to reach where you want to be.
However, once you reach that point, it becomes much harder for others to stop you or bring you down. The journey may be long, but authenticity gives you the strength to stand by yourself.
In today’s world, you need to be prepared for the challenges that come with being real. It takes courage and patience, but I believe that staying true to yourself is worth it.
Q. Is there a film, book, or series that you could revisit repeatedly and would genuinely recommend to our audience? What makes it special to you?
I would recommend Malgudi Days, produced and directed by the visionary actor and filmmaker Shankar Nag.
It is a series I would happily revisit and recommend to actors and filmmakers. Considering the time in which it was made, it was far ahead of its time.
There is so much to learn from it, particularly for people interested in acting and filmmaking. We have so much content available today, but everyone eventually discovers the stories that resonate with their own journey. For me, Malgudi Days stays a particularly special recommendation.
Q. What advice would you give the younger generation as they navigate the many opportunities and choices available to them today?
I do not think today’s generation necessarily needs much advice. Young people are self-sufficient, aware, and conscious of the choices they make.
Our generation often had to figure things out on our own, while today’s generation has access to information, opportunities, and resources that can help them understand how to grow and become better individuals.
You already have so much information available to you. You know what can contribute to your growth and what may not be beneficial. It comes down to choosing the right things. I would always encourage young people to make the right choices.
Bio
Shine Shetty is an Indian actor, entrepreneur, and filmmaker known for his work in Kannada television and cinema. He rose to widespread popularity after winning Bigg Boss Kannada Season 7, which strengthened his connection with audiences and established him as a recognised face in the Kannada entertainment industry. With over 1 million followers on Instagram, he continues to engage a growing audience through his professional journey and creative pursuits. Beyond acting, Shine has explored entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry and is now venturing into filmmaking, writing, and production with Shankarabharana.
Interviewed By Ritika Tawar
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