Past, Present and Future: 'Hero' actor Sooraj Pancholi talks about all that and more!

His first tryst with the media might have started with an emotional outburst, but his confident self belies that now. Humble and soft-spoken, is nothing like your average star kid and speaks from his heart. He doesn't just talk about the past (and Jiah Khan), but also the present (bagging the film) and the future (box office expectations, future films)...

PAST

There were a lot of perceptions about you in everyone's mind because of the Jiah Khan episode, even before you started Hero. Do you think they will change after the film releases?
I want people to see my work. When they see the film, I just want them to watch the film. Of course, people can't forget what I have been through. But if someone wants to think negative about me, I respect the way they think. I can't go to everyone and tell ask to think otherwise. But I'm sure that once people start getting to know me as Sooraj in real life, they might change their perceptions and start liking me. If not, then good for them! Be happy with what you think.

Most producers would have backed out but Salman stood by you…
(Cuts in) Most producers nahi. All producers would have backed out. There's only one person who could stick to his commitment and that is Salman sir. I am saying this right now and I know it for a fact.

Has that episode altered anything in your life?
Nothing, as a person. But it's made me a lot smarter to judge people. Maybe, I have become a better judge of character now.

You will now be in the public glare. Did Salman give you any advice on how to deal with that?
Honestly? He didn't give me any such advice. Just to be myself As for the media glare, I love it because it's the part of the industry. It's fun. I don't even blame the media for doing that.

Not even when they spoke so ill about you during Jiah's death?
They made me a villain when that entire episode happened. Over here, the trend has become that if something happens to a girl, blame the guy. But God is watching, God is great. The media does it because it's their job. If I were one of them, I would do the same thing.

You spent almost a month in the jail and there's this particular sequence in Hero, where you had to shoot in jail. Was it emotionally draining for you?
When I shot for it in Hero, it didn't take me back to that time because over there, I was having a different mindset.

PRESENT
You got emotional during the trailer launch. Are you more comfortable with the media now?
I'm very comfortable now. But I'm getting used to the promotions. Learning how to interact with the media, talking to people. It's all a learning process.

People feel star kids have it easy, while there's a pressure on you all to match up…
(Cuts in) I don't think any star kid has it easy. Currently, I'm going through it. Whether it's Hrithik (Roshan) sir, Tiger (Shroff), Sonakshi (Sinha) and whoever else, they all have worked so hard to be where they are today. I am working hard too. We come with a lot of criticism and a lot of expectations. The expectations are not only from the outsiders because they come from within the house as well. In my case, both my parents (Zarina Wahab and Aditya Pancholi) are actors, so they would want me to be good as them. And I can't be.

Are you facing the pressure too now?
For sure. People expect you to be a superstar in your first film. There's a certain kind of hatred towards star kids.

You never wanted to become an actor…
Yes, that's true. My mom wanted me to be a pilot. So did I. But I was terrible at Math. I wasn't quite a good student. I was possibly the only kid who failed in the second standard (Laughs). So ya, once I was done studying, I assisted Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir on Guzaarish. Then Salman (Khan) sir put me to Kabir (Khan) sir for Ek Tha Tiger and then, I thought even I can do it.
Rather, I wanted to do it.

It's your first film. How much does the box office performance matter to you?
Box office doesn't matter to me. What matters is the acceptance. I don't want to get into the number game. That's not my lookout. I'm an actor and I want to act, perform, serve the audience. That's what I'm here for. Numbers come with destiny, luck and obviously, hard work.

Salman said that you come right into the bracket that he started off as and comparisons have already started…
No one can ever be Salman Khan. There can only be one Salman Khan. Honestly, I don't even want to be the next someone. I want to be Sooraj Pancholi and would love people to know me like that. Hopefully, 20 years later, they will spot someone and say, 'Oh, dekho naya Sooraj Pancholi aa gaya'.

FUTURE
Hero has a lot of action and romance in it. Do you want to keep doing films in the same genre?
I love action and I have been training for years now, ever since I was a kid. So, Hero is the kind of movie that I would want to do. I don't want to be a chocolate boy hero. I don't like the term. But if I get offered a film right now, I want to do a romantic film- a die hard romantic film, only about love but with a great script. Nothing physical. Just pure, clean love.

No rom-coms?
Not right now. But who knows? If I get a good script, then I might. But if I have to choose between a rom-com and a romantic film, I would chose the romantic film.

Are you game for a two-hero film too?
I will definitely do it. I don't have any insecurities in that regard. I hope I get offered one soon.

You have already been offered one….
A two-hero film? I have been offered Remo's film with Ajay Devgn but I didn't even think about it as a two-hero film. I don't have a problem with that at all.

Most newcomers usually have a gap of more than year between their first and the second film.
It might be the same for me too because the second one is going to be more important than the first one. That's what will ensure if you will stay here for longer. For my second film, it will not just be my decision. A lot of people will be involved. There will be me, my management team and my mentors. So it's team work. So we've to get the right script for the second film.

In talks with other directors?
We have met a lot of people. I haven't met any director. We've only been meeting producers and writers. But there's nothing concrete as of now.