Suniel Shetty's funny reveal: How he found out about Athiya-KL Rahul
Synopsis
Suniel Shetty's accidental endorsement of KL Rahul — praising him to wife Mana without knowing his daughter Athiya was already talking to the cricketer — is the kind of family story that writes itself. The moment, shared on The Kapil Sharma Show, offers a rare peek into how one of Bollywood-cricket's most beloved couples quietly began.
Key Takeaways
Suniel Shetty revealed on The Kapil Sharma Show how he accidentally discovered Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul 's relationship by praising the cricketer to wife Mana Shetty .
Athiya and KL Rahul reportedly met in 2019 through a mutual friend and married on 23 January 2023 at Suniel's farmhouse in Khandala .
The couple welcomed their daughter Evaarah on 24 March 2025 .
KL Rahul wished Suniel on his birthday on 11 August , calling him the 'best ajja' to Evaarah on his Instagram Stories .
Suniel was last seen in Welcome to the Jungle and is set to star in an untitled action thriller with Tiger Shroff , directed by Sachin Ravi .
Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty once shared a candid and amusing anecdote about the moment he unknowingly stumbled upon news of his daughter Athiya Shetty's budding relationship with Indian cricketer KL Rahul — and it happened in the most unsuspecting way possible.
The Accidental Discovery
Recalling the incident on The Kapil Sharma Show, Suniel revealed that he had once praised KL Rahul in front of his wife, Mana Shetty, completely unaware that Athiya and the cricketer were already in touch. 'Mana, he is a very impressive boy,' Suniel had told her.
His remark was met with complete silence. Neither Mana nor Athiya said a word — instead, the two simply exchanged a knowing look. It was only later that Mana quietly pulled Suniel aside and informed him, 'You know, they're at least talking to each other now. There's nothing more.' The story drew laughter for its perfectly understated family dynamic.
From Friendship to Family
Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul reportedly first crossed paths in 2019 through a mutual friend. What began as a friendship gradually deepened into a relationship, and after years of dating, the couple married on 23 January 2023 at Suniel Shetty's farmhouse in Khandala. The intimate ceremony brought together close family members and friends.
The family grew further when Athiya and Rahul welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on 24 March 2025. The couple named their daughter Evaarah.
Suniel and KL Rahul: A Bond That Goes Beyond Cricket
Suniel and his son-in-law share a warm and well-documented bond. On 11 August, Rahul shared a heartfelt birthday wish for Suniel on his Instagram Stories, posting a picture of the veteran actor cradling little Evaarah in his arms. He captioned it: 'Happy birthday to the best ajja,' accompanied by a hug and red heart emoji — using the Kannada word for grandfather.
Suniel, for his part, has often been seen speaking highly of Rahul in interviews and public appearances, making no secret of his affection for the cricketer.
What Suniel Shetty Is Up To Now
On the professional front, Suniel was most recently seen in the ensemble comedy Welcome to the Jungle, sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, and Raveena Tandon, among others. He has also been signed for an untitled action thriller opposite Tiger Shroff, directed by Sachin Ravi, keeping his action-hero persona firmly alive.
Point of View
Retold with warmth rather than drama, reflects a deliberate family strategy: keep it low-key until there is something to say. The Bollywood-cricket crossover of Athiya and KL Rahul has always had a quieter, more grounded quality than many high-profile celebrity unions, and this story reinforces exactly that image. It also signals that Suniel is as comfortable being a doting father-in-law and grandfather on screen as he is playing the action hero — a softer brand evolution worth noting.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Suniel Shetty find out about Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul's relationship?
Suniel Shetty inadvertently discovered the connection when he praised KL Rahul in front of wife Mana Shetty, unaware that Athiya and the cricketer were already in contact. Mana later quietly told him they were 'at least talking to each other,' as Suniel recalled on The Kapil Sharma Show.
When did Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul get married?
Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul married on 23 January 2023 at Suniel Shetty's farmhouse in Khandala. The couple had reportedly been together since 2019 after meeting through a mutual friend.
Do Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul have children?
Yes. Athiya and KL Rahul welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Evaarah, on 24 March 2025.
What is KL Rahul's relationship with Suniel Shetty like?
KL Rahul and Suniel Shetty share a warm bond. Rahul publicly wished Suniel on his birthday on 11 August, posting a picture of him with baby Evaarah and calling him the 'best ajja' — the Kannada word for grandfather — on his Instagram Stories.
What are Suniel Shetty's upcoming projects?
Suniel Shetty was last seen in Welcome to the Jungle alongside Akshay Kumar and others. He has also been cast in an untitled action thriller opposite Tiger Shroff, directed by Sachin Ravi.
