Newbies Athiya Shetty, Sooraj Pancholi share stories of journeys into Bollywood

AS much as he wants to put the Jiah Khan episode behind, it always catches up with Sooraj Pancholi, who will make his debut with Friday film Hero, along with Athiya Shetty.

Sooraj said he has talked enough about his former girlfriend’s suicide in 2013. “She will always be with me. As much as her passing is disturbing, I’ve been told not to talk about this because it’s coming across as a ploy for publicity for my film,” said the 24-year-old.

He gets candid, as he along with his leading lady Athiya Shetty (22), visited Chandigarh on Monday to promote their upcoming film, Hero.

Though it may seem like that being the starkids they’ve got it easy, Athiya (Suniel Shetty’s daughter) and Sooraj (Aditya Pancholi and Zareena Wahab’s son) narrate a different story. “Looks and talent matter more for someone from a non-starry background. And once they get a chance, there is still lesser pressure and expectation from them as compared to that from a starkid. We come with our own set of problems and criticism and constant comparison, especially with our parents,” said Sooraj.

While Sooraj has seen his share of Bollywood life and drama behind the scenes as an assistant director on the sets of Guzaarish and Ek Tha Tiger, Athiya packed off to New York to learn the finer nuances of acting only to realise that Mumbai is her beating heart.

“Even before my parents knew, I had this awareness of growing up to become an actor. I must have been three and into acting, dancing, all the dramatics,” Athiya said.

Sooraj, on the other hand, realised his calling at the age of 12 when he saw Hrithik Roshan sizzles on screen in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. Becoming a pilot stood a backseat. “There was an entire generation of boys and men who wanted to be like him, look like him, dance like him,” he said.

And so began their journeys only to meet at Hero. A remake of the 1983 Subhash Ghai classic by the same title, Hero has the same blueprint, but is set in the modern times with more character.

It was producer Salman Khan’s ‘gift to Sooraj on his 21st birthday. “He told me he wanted me in this film and that I should prepare for it and not tell my folks till I am ready,” said Sooraj, who worked on his body, trained in martial arts, action and dance, and finally came on board as the Hero.

Leggy beauty Athiya was spotted by Khan’s sister Alvira. “This is Radha and Suraj’s love story. I am playing a 21st century girl who is independent, stubborn, yet diligent and naïve and learns from her mistakes,” said Athiya, putting her ‘Meisner theory of acting’ to spark chemistry between the characters.

Where Radha’s an optimist, Athiya said she is a realist. “That’s because I come from a simple household with a practical upbringing, where my mother was strict about education and television viewing was limited to an hour,” she said, finding her feet and freedom in New York.

Sooraj is passionate about animals and owns 14 dogs, two cats, white mice, birds and a sheep name Jaanu.

A commercial flick with a classic formula, both feel that Hero is the best platform for them. “I want to do commercial films, hone my talent before I sign a Badlapur or Highway,” said Sooraj.

However, for the quiet, unassuming, dancer Athiya, “The first film chooses you and then you choose the rest. Watch and you’ll know who the real hero is.”