Even as they get ready for their dream debut in Hero, produced by Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai, Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty are well-prepared for the scrutiny that they will be put through. The duo is aware that they have expectations to fulfil after the trailer received wide appreciation from the media and audience. The Hindi film industry is vouching for Athiya as the next young talent to watch out for with her strong sense of fashion and styling. They are also confident about Sooraj making a mark with his intense acting and dancing skills. The duo recognise that this support comes with a huge responsibility and they do not want to let their families, the industry and their fans down. Salman showed some rushes of the film to his friends and family, and the unanimous verdict he got from all of them is that the two debutants are here to stay. Top brass filmmakers from the industry are looking forward to Sooraj and Athiya's debut in the film directed by Nikhil Advani. Here's what they had to say:

ROHIT SHETTY: From whatever footage I've seen, I can say that apart from his great looks and good body, what makes Sooraj work for me is his intensity, that is rare for an actor his age. I can already see another star rising in Bollywood. Athiya is family. After seeing her performance, I'm sure she will go places. As an individual, she shows a strong personality and seems to have what it takes to confidently carry various roles.

REMO D'SOUZA: The first time I saw Sooraj in the trailer, his screen presence and intensity really stood out. When my recent TV dance show was released, I remember thinking to myself, this boy can dance too! I think he has all the makings of a star. Athiya, even before her release, already has a fan base on social media and her sense of style is being discussed. I wish both of them all the very best for their first film.

KABIR KHAN: Sooraj was my assistant on Ek Tha Tiger, so obviously I've known him since then. Though he came across as a shy boy, he was always focused, hard-working and a team player. When we were shooting Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman showed me some rushes of Hero. Sooraj has an arresting screen presence and I knew instantly that the industry has a new hero in the reckoning. I'm hopeful the industry will welcome both Sooraj and Athiya.

KARAN JOHAR: Sooraj and Athiya have a dream launch. Salman's tremendous equity coupled with Subhash Ghai's recreated magic, is a recipe for a blockbuster. Nikhil has an aesthetic eye and has made sure the lead pair shine like movie stars in every frame. Sooraj has a vulnerability that is not just endearing but also spells stardom. He has the quintessential prerequisites of a star and has a newness in his demeanour. Athiya is a beautiful combination of fragility, fashion and fabulousness. She stands tall in every frame and stardom is her next stop. Her supreme confidence and celluloid presence makes her a welcome addition to the movie star brigade.

Hero, produced by Salman Khan Films and Mukta Arts; released worldwide by Eros International, comes on September 11.