After 16 years in the film industry, actor-producer Suniel Shetty says he is jealous of Akshay Kumar as the latter has shaped up his career wisely over the years.

"Akshay Kumar is an inspiration for me. He has handled his career beautifully. I'm envious of him, " Suneil told.

He spoke on the sidelines of the opening of his apparel house Crossover Bollywood Se.

He added: "Akshay ventured into a completely different arena, that is comedy and he was widely appreciated for it. My bond has especially grown with him post-'Hera Pheri'."

Suniel Shetty is also paying a homage to Danny Denzonpga

If Suniel Shetty is in a happy and healthy place today he doesn't have only his own sense of discipline to thank for it. One man initially taught him everything there's to learn about good positive hralthy living.

"And that man is Danny Sir. Danny Denzongpa. I simply love and respect that man to death. Danny Sir was my co-star in my very first film Balwaan. I owe my iamge of the action star to him.

It was Danny Sir that urged me to take him on in a climactic combat in the film. I was very shy. How could I fight a man I had hero-worshipped for so long? But Danny Sir made me do it. He even made me pick him up and throw him to the ground.

The impact was deadly. Audiences immediately accepted me as a deadly action hero. They reasoned that if I could beat Danny Denzongpa I must be the real balwaan."

Since then Suniel has ceaselessly looked up to Danny for advice. "He has always been a source of inspiration, whether it's in the way he keeps his house or in the way he has brought up his children....Danny Sir is an amazing man."

And now Suniel is all set to repay the man who has inspired him.

"My company Popcorn Entertainment is planning a film that would do justice to his awesome personality. I mean, just look at that man! At his age he puts younger supposedly-fit men to shame.

I had actually offered him another film. But I decided to hold back. The role didn't do justice to him. I'm not going to cast him in a film and role that will be the return of Danny Denzongpa. It's the least I can do."