Sooraj Pancholi: Salman bhai says "look good and don't act too much"
Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty are two of the most spoken-about debutants these days. As their film Hero releases this week, Catch Live spoke to Sooraj Pancholi about being launched by Salman Khan, his aspirations and the buzz around the film. Here are a few things that Sooraj revealed to us:
On how he bonded with Salman Khan
"I was the last assistant director of the film, so I had to run around a lot. That's where I met Salman Sir and that's how we started bonding every day after pack up. Salman Sir and I went out for a lunch one day and he asked me 'Do you want to be an actor?' I said 'Yes.' He said 'Okay' and started eating again.
We were shooting in Turkey, so on my 21st Birthday, Salman Sir came to my room at around 3.30 am, took me to his room and said 'I am producing this film called Hero , would you like to do this film?"
On how Salman Khan guided him
Photo: a screen grab from Hero title song
The actor, a self-confessed Salman Khan fan, has watched Bajrangi Bhaijaan five times in theatres and wept each time. According to him, the only advice he got from the Bhai of Bollywood was to be himself. Said Sooraj.
"The only advice Salman Sir gave me was, 'Sooraj be yourself, look good and don't act too much. When people act, they tend to look ugly at times. So don't act, talk the way you talk, walk the way you walk and don't put on the mask. Just wear good clothes and make sure the boots fit your jeans properly'."
On how Jackie Shroff reacted to the film
File photo
Hero is an official remake of Subhash Ghai's classic by the same name which marked the debut of Jackie Shroff.
"The first person I gave a call to after going home from the trailer launch was Jackie sir to ask 'Did you see the trailer?' In his inimitable style, he said ' Bhidu abhi dekha ghar pe, bahut mast kaam kia hai tune. Tension maat le, ek Hero khatam kia toh aur 15 Hero karenge. Apun ko bahut mast laga tereko kaam karte dekh .' (I have watched the trailer of Hero and you looked fantastic in it. Don't be nervous as you have to do many more films in the years to come.)
He has not watched the film yet, but I am waiting for him to watch the film."
On doing action in the film
Photo: a screen grab from Hero
The trailer features Sooraj as the 'action star' and if it is anything to go by, the debutant seems pretty convincing doing all the stunts.
"My base has always been martial arts. I am very flexible as I have trained in martial arts for a very long time. I have trained in Manipur and I am a black belt as well. The action is looking real on-screen because of Nikhil sir. He is a great teacher and I got to learn a lot while working with him," Sooraj declared.
Watch a glimpse of Sooraj Pancholi doing action in Hero trailer here:
Talking about the buzz and hype around the film, which seems to be the best ever for any film starring two debutants, Sooraj explained:
" Hero is the biggest launch of this year. For me, to look at numbers right now is not right. I am here to act and I want to serve the audience. I don't care how much the film does as all I want is acceptance from the audience. Yes numbers are important, but it is too early for me to comment on the same. Salman sir is doing his best to promote the film. I am very grateful to him.
Photo: a screen grab from Hero song
There are rumours that Sooraj has signed a two-hero film to be directed by Remo D'Souza. Reportedly, the film will star Ajay Devgn and Sooraj as brothers. However, according to Sooraj, he is yet to sign the film.
"I have met Ajay sir and Remo sir for a film. It is a great script and I would like to be a part of it but there is nothing concrete as of now," he clarified.
On which actresses would he like to work with in future
Photo: One of the posters of Hero
"I would love to work with Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. As far as directors are concerned, it is my dream to work with Rajkumar Hirani sir and Kabir Khan sir."
Hero releases on 11 September 2015.
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