Suniel Shetty recalls emotional first meeting with Akshay Kumar: He reminded me of someone I lost

In a heartfelt conversation veteran actor Suniel Shetty revisited the moment he first met Akshay Kumar on the sets of 'Waqt Hamara Hai' (1993). The actors who went on to form one of Bollywood’s most enduring partnerships with hits like 'Mohra,' 'Hera Pheri' and 'Pehchaan,' didn’t start off with the usual icebreakers. For Suniel, the first encounter with Akshay was deeply personal and emotionally complex.A striking resemblance to a loved one lost too soonRecalling the shoot day in an interview with Radio Nasha, Suniel shared that Akshay’s appearance instantly reminded him of his late cousin Ullaas, who had tragically passed away in a car crash. “He was the one who sent my photos out and got me my first modelling gig. Losing him so young was devastating; he was just 27 or 28,” Suniel told the interviewer. The resemblance was so strong that it shook him. “When I saw Akshay for the first time, I saw Ullaas in him—same clean-shaven face, same tall frame, same energy. It was overwhelming,” he said.Fear turned into a lasting bondSuniel admitted that he was initially “scared” to work with Akshay, not because of his talent or personality, but because the sight of him was a constant reminder of his cousin. “I even told him that working with him would be tough because it would bring back memories every day,” Suniel revealed. But what followed was a journey filled with laughter, warmth, and strong friendship. “Akshay is the biggest masti-khor (fun-loving guy) you’ll ever meet. He made even the longest nights on set lighter and happier,” he said.What’s next for the iconic duo?While their early camaraderie blossomed into decades of screen magic, both actors have exciting projects ahead. As reported by Hindustan Times, Suniel Shetty is gearing up for his next role in 'Kesari Veer,' alongside Vivek Oberoi and Sooraj Pancholi, set to release on May 16. Akshay Kumar, meanwhile, is keeping his comedy franchise alive with 'Housefull 5' and also has 'Welcome to the Jungle' and 'Hera Pheri 3' lined up.