Emraan Hashmi's Remarkable Career Transformation
Emraan Hashmi, the versatile Bollywood star, has undergone a significant evolution in his acting career. He has transitioned from portraying romantic leads and anti-heroes to taking on complex roles as layered officials and intelligence officers in notable projects such as Shanghai, Bard of Blood, and Tiger 3. His latest venture, the web series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, features him in the role of a customs officer, showcasing his dedication to diverse character portrayals.
The Art of Preparing for Diverse Roles
When asked about his approach to preparing for such varied characters, Emraan describes the process as "a very chaotic thing." He explains that there is no specific streamlined method for playing different roles. Instead, he focuses on the character's journey as outlined in the script. "There is a journey you see on paper... the arc of the character through the episodes. What is great is that in a show you get seven episodes to play it out, so you get more meat," he shares, highlighting the advantages of longer formats like web series.
Emraan emphasizes that research and observation are crucial components of his preparation. "My memory bank of constantly travelling and seeing people in different countries… the decorum they follow when on duty, the body language, it is there in my memory bank," he notes. He also values collaboration, stating that "jamming with the director, the team, other actors, writers is what helped" him bring authenticity to his roles.
Dream Roles and Future Aspirations
Discussing roles he hopes to explore in the future, Emraan expresses a strong desire to play an Air Force pilot. "I have never played an Air Force pilot — that is something I want to portray on screen. A man in uniform is always interesting to play," he reveals. He believes that the industry is only beginning to tap into such possibilities, whether in theatrical releases or on OTT platforms. "We are just about scratching the surface… theatrically or on OTT. I hope more writers tap into that," he adds, encouraging more creative exploration in storytelling.
Reflections on a Long and Varied Career
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Emraan acknowledges that some actors prefer to stick to similar types of roles, something he did earlier in his career. However, he found greater merit in immersing himself in different characters. "What I found merit in was getting into the skin of different characters through the journey," he says. He recalls his first taste of this approach in the 2012 film Shanghai, and even in his debut film Footpath from 2003, where he experienced the thrill of pushing his limits. "You come back home and you know you pushed yourself… you are emotionally spent because you play another personality," he describes, capturing the emotional toll and reward of such roles.
This pursuit of novelty continues to guide his career choices. "That has been my goal — always surprise the audience with something they have not seen you do. After so many years, it becomes very difficult sometimes. That is why you have to say no to more films than say yes," he explains, underscoring the importance of selective role acceptance. With nearly 50 films to his credit, Emraan remains eager for challenging opportunities. "When something like a customs officer’s role in a Neeraj Pandey project comes to you, then you grab it with both hands," he concludes, highlighting his enthusiasm for impactful projects.
