'Kesari Veer' Trailer Launch: Celebrities shine bright on the red carpet
Akanksha Sharma poses with Sooraj Pancholi and Suniel Shetty during the trailer launch of Kesari Veer: Legends Of Somnath , in Mumbai. |
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India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Sooraj Pancholi says Bollywood is caught in a vicious cycle: It's destroying itself
"I want to go for a holiday, but my PR is not letting me go," Sooraj Pancholi quipped, as we caught up with him over a call on the weekend. The actor's latest release, 'Kesari Veer', may not have performed well at the box office, but his performance was appreciated by both fans and the on the feedback he received, the 34-year-old told India Today, 'My friends and family, of course, liked the film; they are my well-wishers. But many did tell me how I have improved. They mentioned how I am more confident and emoted well. But I am not someone who takes compliments too seriously. Now that the film is done, I am focusing on my next one.'advertisementOne of the most heartening messages came from Salman Khan, whom Sooraj considers a mentor. Recalling the moment, he said with a smile, 'It was a day prior to the release, and Bhai called me home. He just said that it's been a while since I posted a photo with you. Come, let's do it. It was all about that... it was just in the moment of him being him.' Sooraj, the son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was under the scanner following the death of his then-girlfriend, actor Jiah Khan, in 2013. In April 2023, a CBI Special Court acquitted him due to lack of asked if what he underwent had left any kind of resentment in him, the actor replied, "I don't know what to say on this, I mean, how do I change so many minds; the damage has been done. How many interviews do I give? How many people do I talk to? It drains me. I am currently living for myself, and am not bothered about what anyone thinks of me. At this point, I really don't care. I just surround myself with good people and motivation. Sometimes, maybe falling in love also distracts you." So are you in love, we asked. "I don't know. I don't know, you know. I am not sure about it," Sooraj replied with a shy made his debut with 'Hero' in 2015, Sooraj also opened up about the negativity that he feels has come to cloud the film industry. He said that the media keeps talking about why Bollywood is not working, and when a film is released, it is that the industry is trapped in a vicious cycle where everyone is feeding off each other, Sooraj said, "Bollywood is destroying itself; they are releasing films on the same day when they have other opportunities. There are big Hollywood films coming in that are eating up the business. My film was released with Mission: Impossible and Final Destination, both very big films. I think the distributors and producers and actors, everyone's just eating into each other's skin, which is, you know, creating a downfall in the industry."When asked what could be the solution to this, Sooraj Pancholi said, "I think people just need to be a little more [kind]. There are no ethics and personal connections any more. I think people need to work on building stronger personal relationships. Nowadays, actors don't want to work with each other. There are producers who are releasing films together because they have a tiff with each other. No one wants to work together. There's a lack of unity, let me put it that way." You May Also Like
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
Sooraj Pancholi lashes out at his 'cowardly' peers, says Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Dharmendra fought for their people
After years away from the limelight, Sooraj Pancholi returned to the silver screen with the historical action film Kesari Veer . While the film marked a professional comeback, it also became the backdrop for Sooraj to open up about a deeper concern—one that extends beyond cinema: the growing isolation among today's generation of actors. In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Sooraj shared his thoughts on the noticeable shift in camaraderie within the industry. He reflected on a recent act of solidarity when Tiger Shroff attended the premiere of Kesari Veer just after a simple phone call. It struck a chord with Sooraj, reminding him of a bygone era when friendships in the film world were built on loyalty and mutual respect, not just professional convenience. He attributed the bond to the legacy of their fathers, who once belonged to a close-knit circle that genuinely stood by each other during highs and lows. Comparing that past to the present, Sooraj observed a stark contrast. He believes that today's actors have become more cautious and self-protective. In earlier times, he recalled, whether it was an accident, a controversy, or a personal loss, people in the industry would show up without hesitation. The fraternity once united even against the media during protests, standing as a single voice. But such unity, he feels, has all but disappeared. Fear of involvement, reputational risk, and the desire to avoid confrontation have replaced courage and loyalty. According to him, many now shy away from speaking up or showing support unless there's visibility attached to the gesture. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Geen honger, geen strenge diëten? met deze capsules verbrandt je buikvet de hele nacht Meer informatie Undo He fondly remembered the older generation who embodied this spirit—actors like Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, and his own father, Aditya Pancholi. These men, he felt, shared a silent code of brotherhood that made them dependable. Legends like Mithun Chakraborty and Dharmendra were also symbols of this unity; stories of Dharmendra standing up for his peers during tough times left a lasting impression on Sooraj. He lamented that such organic relationships and protective instincts seem almost extinct today. He also touched upon how today's displays of support often seem calculated. People rally around someone only when it suits the public image—when the cameras are watching or the social stakes are high. But genuine concern, when unaccompanied by media attention, is a rarity. In a separate conversation, Sooraj opened up about the dynamics of his own family, especially the strength of his mother, veteran actress Zarina Wahab. He credited her as the anchor of the household, someone who endured immense hardships without ever showing vulnerability. She began working at a young age and built a life entirely on her own terms. Despite having the financial and emotional means to walk away during difficult times, she chose to stay. Sooraj acknowledged that her choices were deeply personal, shaped by her own understanding with his father, and he expressed his respect without judgment. Sooraj Pancholi began his acting career in 2015 with the film Hero, where he starred opposite Athiya Shetty, the daughter of actor Suniel Shetty. After a significant hiatus, he returned to the big screen with the historical action drama Kesari Veer. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Barkha Bisht, among others.
News18
31-05-2025
- News18
Sooraj Pancholi Says Bollywood Unity Is Dead: 'Everyone's A Coward Now'
Last Updated: Sooraj Pancholi says Bollywood's unity is fading, calls today's actors 'cowards' and praises Tiger Shroff for showing rare support during Kesari Veer. Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi is done sugarcoating the state of the Hindi film industry. In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the Kesari Veer star spoke openly about what he sees as the slow erosion of solidarity among today's generation of actors. His reflections come from a place of both experience and disappointment, shaped by a decade-long battle in the public eye and a recent return to cinema with his first lead role since being acquitted in the Jiah Khan case. Speaking on the camaraderie he once admired among his father's generation, Sooraj shared a recent experience involving Tiger Shroff that offered a rare glimpse of old-school support. 'I just called Tiger and invited him to the premiere of Kesari Veer. He didn't ask any questions, didn't hesitate—he just showed up. That meant a lot," he recalled. 'It reminded me of how our fathers used to be with each other. My father, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Dharam sir—those guys had each other's backs. That kind of bond is rare now." According to Sooraj, the industry today is deeply fractured. 'People don't want to get involved in anyone else's issues. Back then, if someone got into trouble, everyone would show up—whether it was a fight, an accident, or a controversy. There was a sense of unity. You don't see that anymore," he said. 'Now, everyone's too scared. No one wants to take pangaas. Everyone's playing it safe. Everyone's being a coward. That's what it is." He went on to explain that the fear isn't just about getting involved—it's about image management and the ever-present threat of backlash. 'Everyone's brand-conscious now. Showing up for someone might 'affect your image,' so people just don't bother. They'll come to your event if there are cameras there, if it makes them look good. But when you're down, or struggling quietly, very few people will check in. That's the truth." Sooraj pointed to iconic names from Bollywood's past who embodied a very different spirit. 'Jackie Shroff, my father Aditya Pancholi, Dutt sir, Suniel Shetty—these were people who didn't care about PR optics. They were raw, real, and they looked out for their people. I've heard stories about Dharam ji literally getting into fights to protect his friends. That kind of fearlessness is missing today. Actors now are careful to the point of being absent." He also called out the performative nature of today's support systems, saying that empathy often comes with conditions. 'If someone big in the industry falls ill or has a family emergency, suddenly you see everyone there—but mostly because they know the media will be too. Otherwise? Silence. The reality is, people move on quickly. Support has become selective, strategic." For Pancholi, this topic hits close to home. In 2013, his relationship with actor Jiah Khan became the center of a storm after her death by suicide led to allegations against him. The case dragged on for nearly ten years, with constant media trials and emotional strain. He was finally acquitted in 2023 due to lack of evidence. The time in between left deep scars—and a clear view of who stood by him and who didn't. 'It's in your worst moments that you find out who your real people are," he said, without naming names. 'When you're not on magazine covers or trending on Instagram, you become invisible to most. That's the saddest part about this industry." Now that he's back in the spotlight with Kesari Veer, a period action film that marks his attempt at career redemption, Sooraj remains hopeful—but grounded. 'I'm not bitter," he said. 'I just wish we could go back to that old-school loyalty. That sense of unity. That's what made this industry more than just a business. It made it a family." First Published: May 31, 2025, 18:02 IST
