Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2014)

After the release of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Kal Ho Na Ho, director Nikhil Advani and producer Karan Johar went their separate ways following serious creative differences during the making of the film. A decade later, the mentor and his protege, who haven't collaborated on a second film, seemed to have mended bridges.

Mirror has learnt that KJo recently dropped by Nikhil's office and saw the rushes of his Hero remake, which marks the acting debut of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. "Karan was really impressed and encouraged by his response, Nikhil confided that he wanted a song whose rights were with Karan who planned to use it in one of the upcoming film of his banner," says a source.

But Nikhil had his heart set on the Punjabi ballad penned by Kumaar and composed by Jassi Katial. And after pondering over it for a few minutes, Karan gave the song away to him.

Confirming the same Karan told Mirror, "I had kept this particular song to use it in the future. But Nikhil needed an intense romantic song and I was happy to share it. Both he and his producer partners Madhu and Monisha are extremely dear friends and I was happy to participate in their labour of love."

Nikhil is overwhelmed by KJo's gesture. "He understood that the scene I had in mind needed the song and he was generous enough to let me have it," he says.

When asked if this has changed the equation between the once warring filmmakers, he laughed, "We fought like kids! It was stupid. But things are fine between us now. Karan was the first person to see the rushes of Hero."

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; July 29, 2014)

If sources are to be believed, superstar Salman Khan, who is producing Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty-starrer, Hero, has asked director Nikhil Advani to reshoot some of the scenes in the film. Says a source, “As the producer of the remake of this 1983 film, he recently saw some rushes of the film. He then asked Nikhil to reshoot a few scenes from the film.” The source adds that Salman has been very much involved in this project, right from the casting to the production.

“He has been taking time out to visit the sets of the film – he wants to keep a tab on its making. Also, Salman is close to both Sooraj and Athiya, who he is launching in this film. So he wants everything to go off smoothly,” says the source.

Nikhil remained unavailable for comment but a source close to the director says, “Nikhil had recently organised a screening for the film’s cast and crew plus a few friends. Here, he showed some footage from the film and everyone loved it. He has lived up to everyone’s expectations, so there is no truth to Salman demanding a re-shoot.”

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 13, 2014)

If sources are to be believed, Nikhil Advani held a special screening of the first half of his film, Hero, for Salman Khan. It seems that Advani has just finished shooting the first half of the film, which stars newcomers Athiya Shetty and Sooraj Pancholi, and he wanted Salman to watch it and give him his feedback. A source says that the filmmaker arranged for a screening in his office on Sunday night.

Apart from Salman, Advani and the lead actors, those in attendance included Salim Khan, Suniel and Mana Shetty, and Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab.

The source adds that Salman loved the film. “He appreciated the effort put in by the young actors. He seemed to be quite happy with the way the film is shaping up." Hero’s last schedule is slated to take place in Paris where a song will be shot over 4-5 days. The film is a remake of the 1983 film of the same name which starred Jackie Shroff in the lead role.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; May 12, 2014)

Sooraj Pancholi will go bald in his debut film, Hero. The newcomer will shave off his hair for the last portion of the film that will be shot some time in June. Nikhil Advani, the film’s director tells hitlist , “Sooraj will soon go bald for the film. After our Paris schedule, which starts on June 16, we will come back to India and shoot portions where his character’s look undergoes a change in the film. He will be chopping off all his hair.” The director adds that since the story spans a period of two years, stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania will create a look for Sooraj that makes this amply clear.

Advani also admits that the film’s storyline is the same as that of Jackie Shroff ’s Hero. “However, it has been made more relevant to present times.” The film will also see the debut of Suniel Shetty’s daughter, Athiya. Director Tigmanshu Dhulia is playing Shammi Kapoor’s role in this version. Like in the original where Jackie’s character was called by his real name, Sooraj is also going to be called Sooraj in this film.

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; March 4, 2014)

Actor Sharad Kelkar will be part of the remake of the 1983 superhit Hero, which also stars Sooraj Pancholi (Aditya Pancholi’s son), Athiya Shetty (Suniel Shetty’s daughter), Govinda and Vinod Khanna.

Contrary to rumours that Abhimanyu Singh will reprise the role of Inspector Damodar Mathur — played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original — Sharad will be seen playing the character. Interestingly, both Sharad and Abhimanyu, who were last seen in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela, were in contention for the part. According to sources, Sharad has already joined the second schedule shoot in Manali. “The role of his wife, originally played by Neeta Mehta, has now gone to Anita Hassanandani.” The actor remained unavailable for comment.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 28, 2014)

Yes, the remake of Hero will be releasing this year. It stars Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj and Suneil Shetty’s daughter Athiya. But the script has undergone a lot of changes. Listed below are the differences you will see in the new avatar of the old film.

- Original was produced by Subhash Ghai, the new Hero is being produced by Salman Khan.

- In the original Hero, Jackie Shroff played the flute. In the remake Sooraj will be seen playing the mouth organ throughout the film.

- In the original, the Hero Kishen is a minor criminal. In the remake, he is a hardened offender in serious need of reformation.

- The girl of Kishen’s dreams is introduced as she dances to a semi-classical song. In the new Hero, Athiya would be introduced in a full-on jazz-rock dance number.

- Jackie’s character goes to prison for two years to cover up for his mentor-tormentor. In Hero 2014 version, Suraj’s character goes in for much longer.

- Meenakshi Sheshadri sings Lambi Judaai when Jackie goes to prison. In the remake, Athiya will work out frantically to the beat of frenzied music to overcome her grief.

- Jackie Shroff might make a token guest appearance in the remake, for old times’ sake.

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 11, 2014)

Salman Khan is angry. Not just on screen but off it too. He takes a chair in front of Daisy Shah's vanity van in the parking lot of Mehboob Studio. “Kya karoon? How can I convince people that my intentions are true, yeh naatak nahin hai?” he wonders, stirring his green tea vigorously.

What has provoked this soulsearching angst? Salman Khan ko gussa kyon aata hai? The actor has been watching news anchors dissect the Saifai Mahotsav which saw Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav enjoy Bollywood glamour, even as riot victims froze in Muzzafarnagar. Salman was among those who made an appearance, in exchange of a rumoured fee of six crores.

“Whether I get paid Rs 6 crore, Rs 8 crore or Rs 12 crore, it’s my hardearned money. I’m an actor who gets paid to entertain. Two lakh people watched me perform that evening,” he glowers. “That money will be used to take care of the hospital bills of 250 kids and I bought equipment for a medical college in Aligarh. That’s more than what the shawl wearing folk, standing outside their sarkari bungalows, pointing fingers at me, will do. I was at a college in Nagpur before I flew to Saifai. Did anyone bother about what I did there?”

His friend-turned-foe-turned-friend Shah Rukh Khan has taken up for him, saying it is “unfair to nitpick on Bollywood” as they are just doing their “job” as entertainers. Despite this show of unity, buzz is that when the two stars were in the same studio recently but avoided each other.

“Shah Rukh is doing his job, I’m doing mine. If our eyes lock we will say ‘Hi’. Our relationship can never be what it once was, not now when both of us are so busy,” he reasons.

SRK may not be a ‘good friend’, but Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan are. Salman has lent them an ear when they hit a low in their personal lives. “Aamir is a great guy. Hrithik came to my farmhouse, we chilled out together, speaking about work... everything. They are mature grown-up men who know how to handle their relationships," he protests.

But the 48 year old admits that his chequered love-life is a smorgasbord of life lessons, many of them learnt the hard way. “If a person wants to go you cannot stop her from leaving. I’ve tried everything, from anger to emotional blackmail, from fights to tears, from possessiveness to gyaanbaazi. If they’d liked me enough, they would not have moved on. But if they’d stayed on it and been unhappy it would've filled me with guilt,” he admits.

And how does he feel when his exes find new love? “I’m happy for them because they are all amazing people. I still care for and respect them but I understand that I have no place in their lives anymore so I stay away. I don’t want someone to be blamed because of the love we once shared,” he says quietly.

So what’s the status quo with Katrina Kaif today? Salman says that she used to be a friend, but today she is ‘somebody else’s friend’. “I respect that and I stay away because I don’t want to give someone a reason to tell her, ‘Oh you are still in touch with Salman’. The past should not intrude on the present,” he asserts.

Would he attend her wedding? “If I am invited, I will.” And what about walking down the aisle himself? He’s 48 and still single.“There was a time when I wanted to get married but it didn’t happen. Today I’m no longer ready for it. And I say this to anyone who comes into my life. There’s no scope for a serious relationship or marriage,” he avers.

The actor insists that he is happy with his life. “I travel a lot, I’m getting into production now. When you have someone in your life you need to give them time and attention. In the initial stages all’s well. Then the fights start and the reprimands, ‘You weren’t like this before’. I’ve heard it all before,” he sighs.

That’s a pity given that he’s looking better and fitter than he ever has. He looks away, embarrassed, saying he’s pushed his workouts to the next level now. Is that wise, given his health problems? Salman admits over-training could pose a problem.

“My analogen level is still 3.8 and for some people even 1.5 has proved fatal. But people with 6-8 have lived on for years too, if they avoid stress. I too try to be chilled out. It’s my fight; I have to suffer through it. At least the pain is gone," he shrugs.

But does he not play an angry activist in his next, Jai Ho? That sets him off again. “Jai Ho is not about yalgaar, going to war. It’s about a common man who joins hand with a good politician to bring down a bad neta. It’s about a man’s personal fight for his family and friends,” he says. “And it’s not about AAP or Arvind Kejriwal."

What about his own political affiliations? “I’ll campaign for anyone who will contribute to my Being Human charity. I will be a hard negotiator because every paisa will be spent on the needy. But my vote always goes to Priya Dutt and Baba Siddiqui. I’m a Bandra boy, I’ve known them since my childhood. I’m not voting Congress, I’d vote for them even if they belonged to another party,” he insists.

Politicians are not the only ones who get his goat, reality TV contestants also do. He has hosted four seasons of Bigg Boss, but buzz is that he was not happy with the inmates' antics and may not return for the next season. “I’ve left it open. But the show didn’t make me as angry as what is happening now. On my own TV show I'll expose all these corrupt people,” he promises.

He's excited about the Hero remake, his debut production. But his hero Sooraj Pancholi has the Jiah Khan suicide still hanging on his head. What if some new controversy flared up? “If it does we will take it head on. Some small people do it to get publicity. We have become soft targets.” There, Salman Khan ko gussa phir aa gaya.