It is easy to look at Ahan Shetty and see a silver spoon. You see the jawline, the towering height, and the "Shetty" surname that has been a Bollywood staple since the 90s. But honestly? The reality of being the son of Sunil Shetty isn't just about red carpets and easy wins. It's actually been a bit of a rollercoaster.
In the last couple of years, the narrative around Ahan has shifted from "the next big thing" to "the kid who had to wait." While his sister, Athiya Shetty, found her groove and married cricketer KL Rahul, Ahan has been quietly grinding in the background. If you’ve been following the industry chatter lately, especially with the massive buzz around Border 2, you know that 2026 is looking like the year he finally breaks out of his father's shadow.
The Long Gap After Tadap: What Really Happened?
When Tadap dropped in 2021, the expectations were sky-high. It was a Sajid Nadiadwala production—the same guy who launched Tiger Shroff. But then, things got quiet. Real quiet. For nearly three years, fans were asking: Where is the son of Sunil Shetty?
Sunil Shetty himself recently got emotional at a press event in Mumbai, admitting that Ahan went through a lot of personal turmoil after his debut. People assume that because he’s a star kid, work just falls into his lap. It doesn't always work that way. After Tadap did middling business at the box office, Ahan had to deal with the silence of the industry. He wasn't just sitting around, though. He was basically living in the gym and the training studio, prepping for a comeback that had to be perfect.
Border 2 and the Navy Uniform
If you want to talk about a full-circle moment, look no further than Border 2. Sunil Shetty's performance as Bhairav Singh in the original 1997 Border is legendary. Now, Ahan is stepping into that same cinematic universe.
📖 Related: Coby Ryan McLaughlin Nude: Separating Viral Rumors From Reality
In Border 2, which is slated for a January 23, 2026 release, Ahan plays a Navy officer. The first-look posters show a version of him we haven't seen—gritty, blood-stained, and intense. He's sharing the screen with heavyweights like Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh. This isn't just another movie for him; it's a "re-launch" in every sense of the word.
The Struggles Behind the Scenes
It hasn't been all smooth sailing with his producers either. There were rumors floating around in 2024 that his film Sanki with Pooja Hegde was almost shelved. Why? Apparently, Sajid Nadiadwala was frustrated with the high "entourage costs" associated with Ahan.
- The Entourage Drama: Reports suggested the costs for his personal trainers, chefs, and stylists were getting out of hand.
- The Resolution: Sunil Shetty reportedly stepped in, and the budgets were reworked.
- The Result: Ahan stayed on the project, but with a more grounded approach to production.
Life Beyond the Camera: Relationships and Fitness
Everyone wants to know who he’s dating. For eleven years, Ahan was in a very public, very steady relationship with fashion designer Tania Shroff. They were childhood sweethearts. They went to the same school. They traveled the world together.
Then, in late 2023, the news broke that they had called it quits. It surprised everyone. More recently, rumors started swirling about him and Bigg Boss star Jiya Shankar, but Ahan’s team was quick to shut that down, calling it "completely baseless." Right now, it seems the son of Sunil Shetty is genuinely single and obsessed with his work.
👉 See also: Chrissy Lampkin: Why Her Real Age is the Least Interesting Thing About Her
The 5-Hour Workout Routine
Ahan's fitness isn't just about looking good for Instagram. For his upcoming role in Sanki, he was reportedly training five hours a day. He mixes heavy gym sessions with yoga and competitive sports like football and cricket.
His dad is 60+ and still has six-pack abs, so the pressure to stay fit is probably intense. Ahan often says that fitness isn't a "phase" for him; it’s just the lifestyle he grew up with. He’s a massive fan of Salman Khan, which explains the focus on that "action hero" physique.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
There's this idea that Ahan is just a "clone" of his father. While they share the same discipline, Ahan’s vibe is different. He’s more soft-spoken, a bit more introverted. He spent years in the US and London studying filmmaking and acting before he ever stepped in front of a camera. He’s not just an "action guy"—he’s a lead singer and a guitarist who used to be in a band.
The industry is different now than it was in the 90s. Being a "star kid" is almost a disadvantage in terms of public perception because of the "nepo" debate. Ahan seems to realize that. He’s not trying to be a superstar overnight; he’s trying to be a versatile actor who can handle a tank in Border 2 and then play a romantic lead in his next project.
✨ Don't miss: Charlie McDermott Married Life: What Most People Get Wrong About The Middle Star
Why 2026 is the Turning Point
With Border 2 hitting theaters right now, the stakes couldn't be higher. This is the film that will decide if he becomes a mainstay in Bollywood or just another name on a long list of actors who couldn't quite make it.
His upcoming project Sanki is also expected to showcase a "2.0 version" of him—more agile, more aggressive, and more polished. He’s also been linked to potential sequels like Vadh 2 and other action-heavy scripts.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Followers
If you're tracking Ahan Shetty's career, keep an eye on these specific things:
- Watch the Box Office: Border 2 is his litmus test. If it performs as expected, he’ll likely sign three more big-budget films by summer.
- Look for the Versatility: Pay attention to his musical background. There are talks of him eventually working on projects where he can utilize his singing and guitar skills.
- The Fitness Blueprint: If you want to train like him, focus on functional movements and flexibility (yoga) rather than just lifting heavy weights.
Ahan Shetty is navigating a very tricky path. He has the legacy of a superstar father to uphold, but he’s living in an era where the audience demands authenticity and hard work over just a famous last name. From what we've seen of his preparation for 2026, he’s finally ready to show that he’s earned his spot.
Check out the official trailers for his upcoming work and notice the shift in his screen presence—it’s a far cry from the raw debut we saw a few years ago.