And I think both were in supreme touch, when they did Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri (2000). The film which is regarded one of the finest comedy in Indian cinema.
Drawbacks of Sunil Shetty.(i.e why he could not become successful in Bollywood)
- Gave too much importance to his restaurant businesses and property.
- Not consistent, not punctual.
- Sticking to action genre ( his early 2000s one were all action oriented, viz Officer(2000), Krodh(2000), Aagazh(2000), Jungle (2000), Rakth(2004), Fight club(2005) etc.
- Lack of some good scripts. (Only Priyadarshan's comedy rescued him).
- His 'action man' personality. Though he tried his hands in comedy, he looked forced. Thus he was largely non versatile. He was major in action genre only.
Akshay Kumar also gave series of flops from 1996 to 1999 but then he resurrected from Sunil Darshan's Jaanwar (1999).
And as an action hero Kumar started trying his hands in comedy/action like Suhaag(1993), Mr and Mrs Khiladi(1997).
Kumar knew audience will reject him if he remains typecast, do he went on to become versatile.
When to switch gears and switching from comedy to action to patriotism, Kumar knows very well.
Yeah but there is no denial that both of them have done some quality films together.
But then, I guess Sunil Shetty doesn't seem to have any regret about his bland career, he's a successful businessman afterall.