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‘Sooraj has to lessen the gap (of stardom) between him and me’: Salman Khan
Actor Salman Khan, who has been a mentor and guide to many, has added two new students to his list - debutantes Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty, who are stepping into Bollywood with ‘Hero’. Sooraj is actor Aditya Pancholi’s son whereas Athiya is Suniel Shetty’s daughter.
When asked Salman what made him support Sooraj, he was quick to reply, “One Sooraj has supported me all my life. I can also support another Sooraj.”
He added further, “God has been very kind to me. He gives me the thought to spread love and take it forward. Anna (Suniel Shetty) has been a very close part of me, before we became actors. I used to carry three portfolios with me when I went hunting for work – one was my photo, one was Anna and the third was a friend Guri, who passed away. Similarly, I have known Nirmal (Aditya Pancholi) since a long time. I did Campa Cola ad he did Spirit. We have been very close. He has worked with Sangeeta (Bijlani) and my other friends. It has been a nice short journey and the right thing I thought to do is to give these two (Sooraj and Athiya) the right platform. I hope it is.”
On probing Salman further about what does he think of these star kids, the ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ actor proclaimed, “From what I see of both on-screen, I don't know what is the fate of the movie but I think Sooraj and Athiya are stars! He (Sooraj) will come straight into my slot and say 'Chalo uncle thoda aage chalo'. His duty is not to go ahead but to push me to move forward. He has to lessen the gap between us. I have to maintain. Same thing is for Athiya. Every time a movie is offered to her with me, she has to say 'No… Too old'! She should work with only younger generation and never come up to our generation, no matter how big the star is. She should always work so hard that she gets to work with both younger and older generation. Though I would love her to work with Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan (laughs).”
Now that is a huge responsibility!
‘Hero’ directed by Nikhil Advani and produced by Eros International and Salman Khan Films, releases on September 11, 2015.
