Salman, Suniel pitch in for Sooraj; Ghai stays out

All systems are go for the incarcerated star-son Sooraj Panscholi's acting debut. Contrary to reports, filmmaker Subhash Ghai has nothing to do with the remake of his Jackie Shroff starrer Hero, and he definitely is not in two minds about Sooraj Panscholi's presence in the remake of Hero.

Says Ghai, "I am busy shooting Kaanchi. It (the remake of Hero) is entirely Salman's call. He is the producer. I've not talked about it with Salman."

On Wednesday, Sooraj's father Aditya spoke to Salman about the project. And Salman says he has no reservations about the project at all.

Reliable sources tell us that Salman Khan and Suneil Shetty have decided to move full steam ahead with the remake of Subhash Ghai's Hero. Says a source close to the project, "The entire team is very sure that Sooraj would be even more qualified to play the role lead in Hero once he emerges from his current troubles. Let's not forget, the protagonist in hero is a rebel and an outcast. The entire Hero team feels Sooraj's newly-acquired edgy image is perfect for the part."

One hears the part is now being re-written in darker shades than the original. "Sooraj will play a much darker character than Jackie did in Hero. Jackie played the flute to show his romantic side. Sooraj would be portrayed as a sullen one-man army. No flute, no soft side."

The horrendous setback in his life has not dampened Sooraj Panscholi's spirit. His enthusiasm for his impending debut remains unflagged. After the early shock at being thrown into such trying circumstances so unexpectedly, Sooraj has now returned to a tentative routine in jail.

A member of the Panscholi family who visited Sooraj in prison last week says, "Sooraj has resumed his preparation for his debut. Instead of sitting around brooding over his predicament, he is working as hard as possible to keep fit in prison. He told us, 'There is no point in thinking about when I'll be out of here. It will happen when it happens. I'd rather focus on keeping myself fit.' Suraj is making every effort to remain on top of his situation."