Claim
In a podcast chat last week, Sunil Shetty shared that his granddaughter reveres PM Modi, and the opposition picked this up and labelled it 'Padma-level sycophancy'.
“लास्ट वीक आई स्पोक टू सुनील शेट्टी इन अ कैंडिडेट पॉडकास्ट चैट व्हेयर ही शेयरर्ड हाउ हिस ग्रैंड डॉटर अ रेवर्स प्राइम मिनिस्टर मोदी वाज़ पिक्ड अप बाई दी अपोजिशन एंड लेबल्ड एज़ पद्मा लेवल साइकोफेंसी।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple Indian outlets confirm Suniel Shetty said in a podcast interview (late June 2026, roughly 'last week' relative to the 29 June broadcast) that his ~15-month-old granddaughter reveres/worships PM Modi. The Kerala unit of Congress (the opposition) picked up the clip and explicitly called it 'Padma grade sycophancy,' matching the anchor's 'Padma-level sycophancy' paraphrase. All core elements of the claim — the podcast, the granddaughter's reverence for Modi, and the opposition's 'Padma-grade sycophancy' label — are corroborated.
Evidence
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/2-days-after-pro-modi-remark-suniel-shetty-and-his-15-month-old-granddaughter-continue-to-face-online-backlash/ Reports that in a podcast interview Suniel Shetty said his 15-month-old granddaughter recognises and 'worships' PM Modi, triggering online backlash in late June 2026. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.indiablooms.com/showbiz/my-15-month-old-granddaughter-worships-modi-suniel-shettys-remark-triggers-social-media-storm/details Confirms the podcast remark about the granddaughter revering Modi and the ensuing social-media storm. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.siasat.com/suniel-shetty-says-his-1-year-old-granddaughter-is-a-big-fan-of-pm-modi-3497265/ Documents the opposition (Congress Kerala) reaction sharing the clip and calling it 'Padma grade sycophancy' / chaplusi to get Padma awards. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.heraldgoa.in/globe-nation/suniel-shetty-faces-continued-online-backlash-over-pro-modi-remark-granddaughter-also-trolled/480224/ Confirms timeline (~27-30 June 2026), opposition Congress labelling and BJP defence by Pradeep Bhandari. ✓ reachable · archived