Behind every successful person is often a story of sacrifice, and for Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, that story belongs to his father, Veerapan Shetty. Long before Suniel became one of Hindi cinema's biggest action stars, his father had built a remarkable life from almost nothing. In an earlier conversation, the actor looked back at Veerapan Shetty's incredible journey, from running away from home as a nine-year-old boy to eventually owning the very buildings where he had once worked.From a nine-year-old runaway to a successful businessmanSpeaking on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's podcast in 2024, Suniel Shetty recalled the hardships his father faced as a child. According to the actor, Veerapan Shetty left his home in Mangalore when he was just nine years old and arrived in Mumbai with little more than hope.Suniel shared that his father had lost his own father at a young age and grew up with three sisters. After reaching Mumbai, he found support within the South Indian community, which helped him get his first job at a South Indian restaurant.Life was far from easy. Suniel revealed that his father started by cleaning tables. Being so young and short, he would have to walk around the table several times just to wipe every side properly. With no proper place to stay, he even slept inside a sack meant for storing rice.Despite those difficult beginnings, Veerapan refused to give up. Through dedication and years of hard work, he slowly climbed the ranks in the restaurant business, moving from cleaning tables to becoming a waiter, then a manager, and eventually a successful owner.The emotional story behind the three buildingsOne of the most touching moments from Suniel Shetty's conversation was when he spoke about the three buildings that changed his family's future.According to the actor, "His boss bought three buildings, and dad was eventually asked to manage them. When the boss retired, dad bought all three buildings. Today, I still have all three buildings. And that’s where our journey began."He said his father's life story remains the biggest inspiration for him.Suniel remembers his father's valuesApart from his business success, Suniel also spoke about the values his father lived by.He described Veerapan as a humble and kind-hearted man who treated everyone with respect. However, if anyone insulted his children or his employees, he would immediately stand up for them without hesitation.Recalling one of his father's favourite sayings, Suniel shared "My dad was a very humble man, but if anybody said a word against his kids or his staff, he would turn into a lion. He would have one line: ‘Bech daalunga sab kuch ko, gaon chale jaunga, par naainsaafi nahi jhelunga (I’ll sell everything off and return to my village, but I will not tolerate injustice)’."Veerapan Shetty passed away in 2017, but his journey continues to inspire not just his family but also many fans who have heard his story over the years.About Suniel Shetty's work frontSuniel Shetty made his Bollywood debut in 1992 after several unsuccessful attempts to enter the film industry. Although he had spent years working alongside his father in the catering business, it was Veerapan who encouraged him to pursue acting and follow his dreams.Today, Suniel is regarded as one of Bollywood's most successful actors and entrepreneurs. According to TOI report, his personal net worth is estimated to be around Rs 125 crore, while the combined wealth of the Shetty family, including his wife Mana Shetty's business ventures, is said to be approximately Rs 500 crore.On the work front, Suniel Shetty was recently seen in Welcome To The Jungle along Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and other 31 actors, which continues its run in theatres. While his film career has earned him fame and success, the actor believes the true hero of his family's story will always be his father.