They are being pitched against one another as the two next best things, and therefore the closest of rivals. And yet it didn’t take Sooraj Pancholi much persuasion to rush to see Tiger Shroff debut film Heropanti at a suburban theatre with a bunch of friends the first day he got off from the shooting of Hero. Sooraj cheered, clapped and whistled for Tiger throughout the film. Says Sooraj appreciatively, “First of all Tiger and I are bonded because our fathers were contemporaries. So we know one another from childhood. Secondly, I’m doing a remake of Tiger’s father (Jackie Shroff)’s film Hero. A lot of Tiger’s dad’s fans feel Tiger should’ve done the Hero remake.” Sooraj says he loved Tiger’s performance. “I don’t think I can ever dance and fight like Tiger. In those departments he is way ahead of me. As for us being arch-rivals, where and how is Tiger in opposition to me at the box office? His debut has already released whereas mine is going to be released next year. So if anyone, my closest competitor for the debut awards would be Harshvardhan Kapoor (Anil Kapoor’s son).” Tiger Shroff says he can’t wait to see what Sooraj has done to Hero. “I am so glad Sooraj is doing the remake of my dad’s Hero. I would’ve never been able to do it. I am too much in awe of my dad’s stardom. Hero was way too close to home for me attempt it.” Tiger feels there is no room for rivalry with Sooraj. “We are contemporaries . But we’ll have our own individual image. I was so touched by Sooraj’s father (actor Aditya Pancholi)’s enthusiasm. At our preview of Heropanti Aditya Uncle whistled and cheered the loudest. My dad and I will be there to cheer Sooraj when Hero is released.”