Actor Suniel Shetty has opened up about a major project that nearly materialised but ultimately never saw the light of day. In a recent conversation with Lehren Retro, the actor revealed that he was formally signed on to filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s ambitious mythological epic The Immortal Ashwatthama—a film that generated enormous buzz before being put on hold.
Recalling how close the project was to going on floors, Suniel shared that all formalities had already been completed. Contracts were signed, discussions were locked, and the vision was clear. The shelving of the film, therefore, came as a disappointment, especially given the scale and intent with which it was conceived.
Suniel also reflected on Dhar’s more recent work, Dhurandhar, which starred Ranveer Singh and released last December. Watching the film left him with a sense of longing. He admitted that he wished he had been part of that cinematic world, praising both the storytelling and the performances.
While many viewers highlighted Akshaye Khanna’s commanding presence in the film, Suniel felt Ranveer Singh delivered something even more remarkable. According to him, Akshaye’s character benefited from dramatic framing and background score, whereas Ranveer had none of those cinematic cushions working in his favour. What set Ranveer apart, Suniel noted, was his ability to construct the character from scratch—through physicality, appearance, and especially his expressive eyes.
Suniel also applauded Aditya Dhar’s grasp on contemporary audiences. At a time when runtime itself becomes a point of debate, Dhar’s confidence in presenting a lengthy narrative stood out to him. The filmmaker, Suniel felt, trusted his storytelling enough to hold viewers’ attention without compromise.
The Immortal Ashwatthama was officially announced in 2020 with Vicky Kaushal in the lead and was envisioned as a visually groundbreaking mythological saga. While The Immortal Ashwatthama remains unrealised for now, Suniel Shetty’s reflections offer a glimpse into what could have been—and underline the scale of ambition that continues to define Dhar’s cinematic choices.
