When Sooraj Pancholi burst onto to our screens, it was not as a debutant, but as an ex-lover trying to field questions regarding his partner who had allegedly committed suicide. While he kept mum during that bad phase where he was charged with abetting suicide, he has finally opened up about his past, two years after his ex-partner Jiah Khan’s death.

During the promotions of his upcoming Bollywood debut Hero opposite another debutante Athiya Shetty, Sooraj answered questions related to his controversial past with much ease, thanks to his mentor Salman Khan’s suggestion.

Apparently, it was Sallu who had asked the youngster to clear the air before the release of the movie.

According to media reports, when Sooraj was asked about his involvement in Jiah’s death, he said, “Dekho main kabhi saamne se nahi bolunga ki maine galti nahi ki hai, ki maine galti ki hai ya jo bhi hai!”

When prodded further, he added, “Nafisa (Jiah Khan) will always remain in my mind and in my heart. If I’m wrong, nothing can save me. But if I am right or if I am not wrong, then nothing can destroy me.”

Looks like Salman’s faith in Sooraj has paid off as the latter was at his mature best while dealing with questions related to Jiah, who was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her house in 2013.

The actor also mentioned that his bond with Salman is not of a father-son or brothers, but a deep bond of mutual respect. Perhaps that’s why Sooraj addresses his mentor as Salman sir and not Salman bhai.

Hero, directed by Nikhil Advani, releases on September 25, 2015.