Shetty began his Hindi film career with the 1992 action film
Balwaan opposite
Divya Bharti, which was a moderate success. He rose to prominence in 1994 with the blockbuster
Mohra and the comedy
Gopi Kishan, where he played a dual role. During the 1990s, he was one of the highest-paid actors in Hindi cinema, appearing in leading and co-leading roles, particularly in action films such as
Waqt Hamara Hai (1993),
Anth (1994),
Dilwale (1994),
Vishwasghaat (1996),
Border (1997), where he played Captain
Bhairon Singh, and
Bhai (1997). His role in
Dhadkan earned him a
Zee Cine Best Supporting Actor Award. From the early 2000s, Shetty shifted to multi-starrer films across genres. He starred opposite
Isha Koppikar in
Arjun Rampal’s debut film
Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) and ventured into comedy with the 2000 cult classic
Hera Pheri, followed by
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001),
Awara Paagal Deewana (2002),
Phir Hera Pheri (2006),
One Two Three (2008), and
De Dana Dan (2009). He played negative roles in
Dhadkan (2000), winning a Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 2001,
Khel – No Ordinary Game (2003),
Baaz: A Bird in Danger (2003),
Main Hoon Na (2004),
Rudraksh (2004),
No Problem (2010), and
A Gentleman (2017). He also took on patriotic roles in
Border (1997) and
LOC: Kargil (2003). In 2009, he won the South Asian International Film Festival's Best Actor Award for his role in the Naxalite-based film
Red Alert: The War Within (2009). Shetty debuted in Tamil cinema with
12B (2001) and returned to Tamil films after 18 years with
Darbar (2020) alongside
Rajinikanth. In 2021, he appeared in
Sanjay Gupta’s gangster drama
Mumbai Saga. In 2023, he portrayed ACP Vikram Chauhan in the action thriller web series
Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega, set in Mumbai’s crime world. His most recent film appearance was in
Nadaaniyan (2025),
Kesari Veer (2025), with upcoming projects including
Welcome to the Jungle (2025). In 2014, Shetty changed the spelling of his name from Sunil to Suniel for numerological reasons. He produced films under Popcorn Motion Pictures, including
Khel – No Ordinary Game (2003),
Rakht (2004), and
Bhagam Bhag (2006). He co-founded F...the Couch (FTC) with
Mukesh Chhabra, an online platform to discover new Bollywood talent. Shetty hosted reality shows like
Biggest Loser Jeetega (2007) on
Sahara One and
India’s Asli Champion Hai Dam? on
&TV. He participated in the
Celebrity Cricket League as captain of the
Mumbai Heroes and co-founded the Ferit Cricket Bash in 2018. In 2014 and 2016, he was a special guest at the
Hiru Golden Film Awards in Sri Lanka. In 2005, on the eve of the former
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's 61st birth anniversary, the Mumbai Pradesh
Youth Congress honoured Shetty with the
Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award. == Other work ==