Salman Khan introduced his 'Hero' Sooraj Pancholi to the media and the 25-year old debutant promptly burst into tears. His mentor-producer deadpanned, “Sorry, Sooraj is my heroine, Athiya is the hero.“

Papa Suniel and mamma Mana Shetty stood, rock solid, besides their 22-year-old daughter. Sooraj was accompanied by dad Aditya Pancholi and sister Sana. But it was Salman he turned to on stage, hugging him and saying emotionally, “This is a dream launch, I don't think I could have asked for anything better. There are people out there who are more talented and good-looking, but they haven't made it here, I have.“ Salman, at his wittiest best, admitted he'd given Sooraj lots of tips: “Don't act much, learn dance and wear good jeans and boots.“

He acknowledged he sees a lot of himself in Sooraj and reminisced about his debut film. “It was a confusing time. I didn't know if Biwi Ho Toh Aisi would do well or flop. God has been very kind to me, and it's He who's given me this thought to spread all the love that people gave me when I was coming in.“

Then, shaking off the nostalgia he quipped, “One Sooraj (Barjatya) has supported me all my life, I can support another Sooraj for a few months.“

Interestingly, Sooraj never wanted to be an actor, until he met Salman even though he's been training since he was a kid. “I remember Salman sir had called me and I didn't know who it was till Arpita informed me that bhai was calling. I met him at a studio where he asked me to work as an assistant to Kabir Khan on Ek Tha Tiger.“

Salman took a stroll down memory lane, recalling his friendship with Suniel and Aditya. “I have known Anna since he was also trying to be an actor. In fact, I used to go for auditions with three portfolios-mine, Anna's and another friend's. I have known Aditya too for the longest time,“ he said, adding that he hoped he'd been able to give the children of his dosts the right platform. “I don't know what the fate of the film will be, but when I see them on screen, I feel both of them are stars.“

Salman's co-producer Subhash Ghai, who had directed the original Hero and Salman in Yuvvraaj, joked that he was planning a sequel to the 2008 film. Sallu responded with a, “Nahinnn!“