Emraan Hashmi, the versatile Bollywood actor known for his varied roles, is currently busy promoting the second installment of his series “Showtime.” After receiving accolades for his performance as a villain in “Tiger 3,” Hashmi is gearing up to entertain fans yet again. During a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra, the actor opened up about an aspect of his career that has often been a double-edged sword — his ‘serial kisser’ image in Bollywood.
Emraan Hashmi candidly discussed how being typecast in the ‘serial kisser’ role affected his career trajectory. “I think bahot saare artists ke sath ek patent cheez ho jaati hai, ek image set ho jaata hai, aur wo unka saath nahin chodhta hai (With many artists, it becomes a patent thing; an image gets set, and it doesn’t leave them)”, he explained. According to Hashmi, this phenomenon isn’t unique to him but happens with many actors in the industry. He cited Shah Rukh Khan as an example, noting that despite an illustrious career, Shah Rukh is known for his signature arms-opening pose. Hashmi called it a “compliment” to Shah Rukh, while adding that Salman Khan’s shirtless scenes and Anil Kapoor’s ‘Jhakaas’ dialogue are other examples of such enduring trademarks.
While discussing these typecasts, Hashmi didn’t shy away from admitting his role in solidifying his own ‘serial kisser’ image. “I don’t blame the audience. A large part of my career until 2009, 7-8 saal tak, woh image thaa mera joh producers sell kar rahey the. Mai khud sell kar raha tha (A large part of my career till 2009, for 7-8 years, it was my image that the producers were selling, and I was selling it myself),” he conceded. This acknowledgment shows a matured perspective wherein he doesn’t hold the audience responsible for the typecast label that followed him for years.
Reflecting on his breakthrough role in “Murder,” which featured several bold scenes, Emraan noted how the film served as a turning point for his image. “Back then, the audience wasn’t accustomed to such a bold quotient and unapologetic rebellious characters,” he remarked.
. He further elaborated that unlike other heroes who were portrayed as righteous, his characters were often tainted and involved in unethical activities, which added to the intrigue but also typecast him.
Despite the challenges, Hashmi has continued to evolve as an actor, taking on diverse roles over the years. His latest venture, “Showtime,” promises to be another feather in his cap. The series, a satire on Bollywood, also stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Mouni Roy, Mahima Makwana, and Shriya Saran in pivotal roles. The second part of the series is set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from July 12.
In addition to “Showtime,” Hashmi is also making his Telugu debut this year in the movie “OG.” He will be playing the antagonist, marking another significant milestone in his career. He will star alongside Telugu cinema’s megastar Pawan Kalyan and the talented Priyanka Mohan. This move to regional cinema indicates Hashmi’s willingness to explore uncharted territories and further diversify his acting portfolio.
The Bollywood actor’s willingness to talk openly about being typecast and the way it has influenced his career decisions speaks volumes about his growth as an artist. Despite being labeled for a specific type of role, Hashmi has managed to stay relevant by choosing diverse and challenging projects. Addressing such topics gives his fans a glimpse into the complexities and realities of a career in Bollywood, helping them understand that the glitz and glamour often come with their own set of challenges.
Hashmi’s candor about his ‘serial kisser’ image and his efforts to break free from it reveal not just an actor at peace with his past but also someone who is continually aiming to redefine himself. As he gears up for his upcoming projects, fans can expect to see an even more versatile Emraan Hashmi, one who has learned from his experiences and is ready to explore new horizons.
For now, audiences are eagerly awaiting the release of “Showtime 2” and his debut in Telugu cinema, both of which promise to showcase different facets of his acting prowess.
