Bollywood actor, entrepreneur, and mentor Suniel Shetty reflected on India’s transformation over the decades in a recent LinkedIn post, emphasising how opportunities for young talent have dramatically expanded compared to the 70s and 80s.
From Limited Opportunities to Wider Horizons
In his recently shared LinkedIn post, Shetty noted, “India until the 70s, 80s was a very different place. So much of your future depended on aspects you had no control over. Which city or state you were born in. What the common profession in your community was. What your family could actually afford to risk or imagine for you.”
He described how, historically, a person’s aspirations were limited by social structures and familial means. “Most of the time, those experiences were limited. Which meant many ambitions never really got a chance to take off. Limited aspirations,” he wrote. Even hard work could be insufficient due to lack of opportunity and systemic barriers.
Merit, Talent, and Technology Driving Change
Shetty observed that economic growth, improved connectivity, and technology have changed the landscape. “With each passing decade though, things improved. The economy opened up. Entire industries came alive. Connectivity and information have reached the smallest villages. Almost everyone now has a smartphone.”
He pointed out that skill and perseverance now play a greater role in shaping careers. “Slowly but surely, this has given those with skill and drive the chance to dream bigger than what people around them once thought possible,” he wrote.
Shetty cited examples across sectors, including entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts. “I’ve met entrepreneurs from little towns who went to government schools and are now building companies with global reach. Athletes who trained on dusty grounds without real facilities and now carry India’s flag around the world,” he said. Reflecting on his own journey in films, he recalled the challenges of entering Bollywood in the 90s without connections.
“Today, an artist has so many more routes. TV, films, OTT, digital, content creation, social media. The doors are wider,” Shetty observed. While privilege and luck still play a role, they no longer dictate outcomes entirely. Talent and persistence can now take individuals further than ever before.
He concluded by celebrating the confidence and fearlessness of India’s youth. “Dreams are no longer defined by where you start. For me, that is one of the most beautiful changes I’ve seen in India. That’s the India of merit. And we’re only going to see more of it.”
Shetty’s reflections capture the evolving story of modern India, where ambition, skill, and digital connectivity are reshaping the nation’s talent landscape.
Muskaan Kapoor
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