Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has showered his daughter, Athiya Shetty, with love and heartfelt wishes on her 33rd birthday, November 5, 2025. The veteran actor took to Instagram to express his feelings for Athiya, who is married to cricketer KL Rahul, referring to her as "my heart in human form".
Suniel shared a candid photo of himself with Athiya in a café setting. The "Dhadkan" star captioned the post, "Wishing my (Beating heart emoji) heart in a human form, a beautiful soul… a beautiful day… happy birthday my baby … keep shining, keep believing, keep being you (sic)". The post quickly went viral, with fans and fellow celebrities alike flooding the comments section with birthday wishes and expressions of admiration for the father-daughter bond.
Athiya Shetty, born on November 5, 1992, made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with the romantic action film "Hero". She went on to star in films like "Mubarakan" (2017) and "Motichoor Chaknachoor" (2019). In 2019, Athiya began dating Indian cricketer KL Rahul. The couple married on January 23, 2023, at Suniel Shetty's farmhouse in Khandala. They welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Evaarah, on March 24, 2025.
Suniel has often spoken about his close relationship with Athiya and his affection for his son-in-law, KL Rahul. He is often seen subtly showing off his proud “nana” glow.
Athiya, who comes from a mixed ethnic background with a Tulu-speaking Bunt father and a mother of Punjabi Hindu and Gujarati Muslim heritage, attended the Cathedral and John Connon School and the American School of Bombay. She participated in school plays with Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff. Her brother, Ahan Shetty, also ventured into acting, debuting in the film "Tadap" (2021).
While Athiya has stepped away from films after her initial ventures, her father, Suniel Shetty, remains active in the industry. He will be seen in the upcoming comedy film "Welcome to the Jungle," the third installment of the "Welcome" franchise, alongside Akshay Kumar and others. He also has "Hera Pheri 3" in the pipeline with Akshay Kumar.
Suniel's heartfelt birthday message encapsulates the strong bond he shares with his daughter, Athiya, showcasing the importance of family and love.
