'For Salman Khan, Sooraj Pancholi is family'
Sanyukta Iyer| Mumbai Mirror | Nov 11, 2016, 11.00 AM IST
In 2009, Prabhu Dheva's Bollywood directorial debut, the action-packed Wanted became one of the earliest films to make it to the Rs 100-crore club, successfully marking Salman Khan's comeback to the big league. The film which marked a turning point in the then 44-year-old actor's career was the official remake of the Telugu hit, Pokiri, which was directed by Puri Jagannadh who also wrote the story and screenplay of the Hindi adaptation.
Ever since, Puri who is a huge Salman fan, has kept in touch with the actor, calling him often and even meeting him at times, trying to coax him to foray into Telugu cinema.Salman who is extremely fond of the filmmaker has laughed off the suggestion but promised Puri that he would remake at least one more of his Telugu hits.
Earlier this year, Puri revealed that he had written an action-thriller with bhai in mind and wanted to discuss it with him. Last month, when Puri approached Salman, the actor surprised him with the suggestion that he take his 'Hero' Sooraj Pancholi instead.
"Salman already has a packed slate with back-to-back projects lined up till the end of 2017 and has no dates to spare. So he urged Puri to write a commercial film along the lines of Wanted for his protege Sooraj," reveals a source close to the development.
Sooraj who made his Bollywood debut opposite Athiya Shetty in September 2015 in Hero directed by Nikkhil Advani has yet to sign a second film. He was to feature opposite Parineeti Chopra in Bosco Martis's directorial debut, Circus, in which he was to play a trapeze artiste, but after Pari dropped out, the film has been put on hold.
"For Salman, Sooraj is family.The two even partied together during Diwali when Salman was at a new resort in Goa with his family. He is a part of all his family gatherings and he wants the boy to get back into action, asap," the source added.
It seems excited with the proposition, Puri has jumped into action too. He is currently scripting a film which will be produced under Salman's home banner. Puri's last Bollywood outing was Bbuddah... Hoga Tera Baap in 2011 with Amitabh Bachchan in his Vijay avatar. Puri has however not given up hope of working with Salman. He hopes to cast him in the Hindi remake of his recent super-hit, ISM, the Telugu action crime-thriller which released in October. "The original featured Kalyan Ram in the lead, Puri wants to remake it with Salman in 2018 when he has wrapped up his current commitments," informed the source.
Salman Khan backs Sooraj Pancholi
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He isn't called Bhai just like that. When Salman Khan takes on a responsibility, he sees to it that he fulfils it earnestly. And when it comes to his protg Sooraj Pancholi, the superstar is extra protective. Sooraj as we know made his debut in Nikhil Advani's Hero. After that the newcomer ran into a bit of bad luck. He hasn't been able to sign any film. He was supposed to star opposite Parineeti Chopra in Bosco Martis' Circus. But when Parineeti exited from the project, it was put on hold. There have been talks about other projects too but nothing really materialized. This naturally disturbed Salman. He was keen that Sooraj sign a film soon. So when friend and director Puri Jaggannath approached Salman with an action thriller that he has written with the superstar in mind, Salman refused it citing his packed schedule as the reason. He didn't just stop there, he instead recommended Sooraj's name to the director and asked him to take the newcomer instead. Puri Jagannath who's worked with Salman on Wanted, which was a remake of his Pokiri, was indeed surprised by the turn of events. We're told Puri was excited about the suggestion and has gone back to the table to tweak the project. He however has not given up hopes of working with the superstar. Puri it's believed wants to now cast Salman in the Hindi remake of his Telugu super hit film ISM. But of course after Salman has finished with other commitments. For now, it seems like Sooraj has a new lease of life.
Sooraj Pancholi's next - an action thriller, thanks to Salman Khan!
DNA WEB TEAM | Fri, 11 Nov 2016-11:12am , DNA webdesk
The supernova has asked writer of Wanted to start writing a script on an action film which is on similar lines for protg...
In 2009, Prabhu Dheva's Bollywood directorial debut, Wanted became one of the earliest films to make it to the Rs 100-crore club, successfully marking Salman Khan's comeback to the big league. The film which marked a turning point in the then 44-year-old actor's career was the official remake of the Telugu hit, Pokiri, which was directed by Puri Jagannadh who also wrote the story and screenplay of the Hindi adaptation.
Ever since, Puri who is a huge Salman fan, has kept in touch with the actor, calling him often and even meeting him at times, trying to coax him to foray into Telugu cinema. Salman who is close to the filmmaker has nixed the suggestion but promised Puri that he would remake at least one more of his Telugu hits.
"Salman already has a packed slate with back-to-back projects lined up till the end of 2017 and has no dates to spare. So he urged Puri to write a commercial film along the lines of Wanted for his protege Sooraj," reveals a source close to the development.
Sooraj who made his Bollywood debut opposite Athiya Shetty in September 2015 in Hero directed by Nikkhil Advani has yet to sign a second film. He was to feature opposite Parineeti Chopra in Bosco Martis's directorial debut, Circus, in which he was to play a trapeze artiste, but after Pari dropped out, the film has been put on hold.
"For Salman Sooraj is family.The two even partied together during Diwali when Salman was at a new resort in Goa with his family. He is a part of all his family gatherings and he wants the boy to get back into action, asap," the source added.
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