Athiya Shetty hid her acting passion from dad Suniel

Stepping into the world of glamour and glitz with superstar Salman Khan's production venture "Hero", actress Athiya Shetty says the craft of acting has always been close to her heart. But she says she was hesitant to tell about it to her father and actor Suniel.

"I wanted to be an actor since I was little. It has always been my passion and my dream. My father got to know about it much later. I used to do everything hiding in my room, like dancing in front of the mirror and all of that," Athiya said during a promotional visit here on Saturday.

Athiya was accompanied by Salman and Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj, who is also foraying into Bollywood with the film. Looking smart in a chic white skirt and crop top, Athiya went on to add that she confided in her father when they were on their way to the US to shortlist colleges for her.

She said: "I was going to look at all these colleges in America and we were at Heathrow Airport, London. I got really upset. My father asked me what happened and before I could say anything I started crying and said 'I want to become an actress'.

"He asked me 'But why are you crying', and I said 'I don't know what you will think about it'."

Directed by Nikhil Advani, "Hero" is a remake of Subhash Ghai's 1983 film of the same name and will hit the screens on September 11. The original film stars Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri.

Athiya, who has stepped into Meenakshi's shoes for the remake, noted that her father has been supportive in her journey of becoming an actor.

"He was supportive and positive and suggested me to work hard and enjoy my work. My hobby became my profession and hopefully it will remain a profession after September 11 (the release date of "Hero")," she said.

She also shared that her father didn't give her any acting tips, but he is her guiding light.

"He has not given me any acting tips, but as a father he has given me some pointers. He knows that I have mind of my own and I will ask him for his advice whenever I need it," Athiya said.

Meanwhile, Salman, who spotted the talent in her and brought it into the spotlight, described Athiya as "spontaneous, someone who speaks her mind and has her own opinion".