A few hours ahead of the press meet for the film Hero, mentor Salman Khan asked debutants Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty to meet and thank media for their support.
Braving the torrential rains, Sooraj and Athiya reached the venue, though a bit late. Apologising for the delay, Athiya said, “I am happy that today is Thursday, Sai Baba’s day… I believe in him the most and I feel very happy that Hero is releasing today. I have asked Sai Baba to shower his blessings on us so that the film is a success. I am sure my prayers will not go unheard as Sai Baba always fulfils my wishes.”
She adds, “It’s like a double celebration for me as on this day 20 years back (September 11) my father’s (Sunil Shetty) film, Balwan, released. Talking about divine interventions, Sooraj says, “I have believed in Mother Mary always. I will be going to seek her blessings at the Mount Mary church (in Bandra) though it will only be possible after 1 am as I will be busy with last-minute promotional activities.”
Talking about a fan letter he received from a girl in Chandigarh recently, Sooraj says, “This girl rushed to our car with a letter. I was so touched with the letter which stated, ‘I wish your film Hero all the success and I will buy tickets of the first day first show.’” Athiya, however, didn’t have any such experiences with boys. “I didn’t have a ‘boy fan moment’ because they took me to all girls’ colleges and schools.”
