In a June 2026 podcast interview, actor Suniel Shetty revealed that his 15-month-old granddaughter, Evaarah—daughter of Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul—spontaneously greets a photograph of PM Narendra Modi every morning. The toddler independently mimics offering a "make-believe laddoo" from the family altar, a gesture that developed entirely without parental prompting.
MUMBAI — Veteran Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Suniel Shetty revealed on June 27, 2026, that his 15-month-old granddaughter, Evaarah, has developed a distinct morning routine involving a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking in New Delhi during a widely broadcast media appearance on the Baatein Dil Se podcast, hosted by Times Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar, Shetty detailed how the toddler spontaneously mimics offering "make-believe laddoos" to a picture of the Prime Minister every day. The public disclosure has drawn widespread engagement across digital platforms, spotlighting the cross-generational visibility of top political figures and generating diverse cultural discussions surrounding celebrity family routines.
Origin of the Childhood Gesture at Mumbai Airport
According to statements provided by the 64-year-old actor during the podcast session, the morning behavior began entirely by chance during a routine domestic transit window. While navigating an airport terminal with her family, one of Evaarah’s personal nannies pointed out a public display board featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, simply stating his name to the toddler.
Shetty noted that this singular introduction left an unexpected impression on the child. Evaarah is the daughter of actress Athiya Shetty and prominent Indian national cricketer KL Rahul, who welcomed the child in March 2025. The family has systematically kept the child's identity protected from direct paparazzi exposure since her birth.
Integration Into the Household Morning Routine
The veteran actor described how the brief airport interaction subsequently evolved into an automated domestic sequence at their residence. Shetty stated that the toddler actively seeks out the specific imagery every single morning without external prompting from any senior family members.
1. The Interaction with the Literary Text
Upon waking, the toddler routinely accesses a household volume dedicated to Sai Baba. The publication features a large portrait print of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on its pages. Family members note that the 15-month-old independently turns to the page, recognizes the image, and clearly states "Modi ji, Modi ji" to identify the national leader.
2. The Symbolic Offering Protocol
Immediately after addressing the photograph, Evaarah walks over to the household's adjacent Ganesha idol structure. She performs a physical gesture to simulate picking up a traditional sweet, or "laddoo," from the altar. She then returns directly to the book to mimic feeding the imaginary confectionery to the Prime Minister's printed image.
Societal Dialogue and Nationalist Perspectives
During the extensive interview, the discussion expanded into broader socio-political commentary regarding modern Indian identity. Host Navika Kumar questioned the actor regarding modern critical perceptions that "hypernationalism" has experienced a sharp uptick across urban centers under the current administration.
Shetty explicitly defended the growing public displays of patriotism across the country, arguing that a collective rediscovery of historical foundations is a healthy development for any sovereign nation. The actor explicitly framed his praise around individual administrative leadership capability rather than formal political party alignments, recounting his initial impression of the Prime Minister's work ethic during a structured business meeting in Ahmedabad circa 2010.
Official Sources Section
The personal anecdotes, direct operational timelines, and cultural context referenced in this report are based on the full-length video broadcast of the Baatein Dil Se series distributed by Times Now News, alongside verified press statements cataloged by the entertainment desks of The Indian Express and the Hindustan Times.
Quote Section
"According to officials and broadcast transcripts from the media session, the family remains surprised by the cyclical nature of the toddler's routine. Organizers stated that neither Suniel Shetty, Athiya Shetty, nor cricketer KL Rahul ever instructed, rehearsed, or encouraged the 15-month-old child to execute the morning prayer gesture, labeling the behavior as a purely spontaneous response to visual recognition."
Why It Matters
The viral public reception of Shetty's family anecdote highlights how digital media platforms rapidly amplify lighthearted celebrity narratives into broader cultural conversations. For marketing professionals and sociological researchers, the incident demonstrates how prominent national figures maintain high brand recognition even among toddlers who are entirely separate from formal media consumption channels. It also underscores how high-profile figures can establish a cultural presence that spans multiple generations through simple, everyday public imagery.
Key Facts at a Glance
Age Milestone: The toddler, Evaarah, is currently 15 months old, having been born to Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul in March 2025.
Spontaneous Behavior: Suniel Shetty confirmed the family enforces no political training, and the ritual started entirely due to a brief interaction at an airport terminal.
Daily Workflow: The routine involves identifying a specific photograph inside a family religious book before mimicking a traditional "laddoo" offering from a home shrine.
Wider Discourse: The interview touched on broader cultural topics, with Shetty defending public patriotism and expressing personal respect for the Prime Minister's leadership.
FAQ Section
Who is the child mentioned in Suniel Shetty's recent interview?
The child is Evaarah, the 15-month-old daughter of Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty and Indian cricketer KL Rahul, making her the granddaughter of actor Suniel Shetty.
How did the child first learn to recognize Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
According to Suniel Shetty, a nanny pointed to a picture of the Prime Minister at an airport terminal and mentioned his name, which the child quickly memorized and retained.
Did the family train the child to perform the daily morning gesture?
No. Suniel Shetty explicitly stated during the podcast that neither he, the parents, nor the household staff ever coached or asked the child to perform the ritual.
Source: Times Now Digital Network, The Indian Express Entertainment Desk, Hindustan Times Bollywood Bureau
