Emraan Hashmi is the heroof the janta, who’s bravely pushinghis limits. He has a fiercelyloyal (and growing) fan basethat’s the envy of many in theindustry.It’s a new beginning. Today,he can look his dashing best andwin at the B-O. (with an impressivehit record), or seduce thecritics with a knockout performancein a gritty drama likeShanghai, looking unabashedlyordinary. “I’ve had a fair share ofcriticism at the start of my career.I’ve never felt dejected when criticsthought my acting was unidimensional.Our audiences aredivided by aesthetic tastes, backgrounds,multiplexes and singlescreens. There was a section ofaudiencesthat perceivably stayed awayfrom my films. Such scepticalpeople woke up to me afterShanghai. I believed when thetime was right, the perceptionwould change.”The time is now! Critics havebranded him a ‘rediscovery’,’game-changer’, ‘good actor’.
Suddenly, he finds himself inBollywood’s elite A-list club too.”I’ve always believed thatBollywood is for everyone, notjust those who have a filmi heritage.It’s great that audiences areendorsing not only star kids, buteven outsiders,” he explains.Witha gush of pride, he adds, “I don’twant to be categorised, because Inever see films as ‘big’ or ‘small’,but as good or bad films.
I neverplanned to work with a certaindirector because he enjoyed a100-crore weekend.I’ve done formula films too,but it was risky business, as myfilms explored sexuality in a conservativesociety. I like doingpolitically incorrect and flawedcharacters.”Well, that’s the reason thisactor with a gallon of guts, claimshe has no competition.
“That’sright, I don’t! It’s because everyonehere wants to play safe andpick up trends — that’s the easyway around. I have always tiltedtowards politically incorrect,immoral characters. To accomplishsomething, you need tolook sexy, and for some you needto look ugly. I don’t mind gettinguglier if I have to. I don’t knowwhy the industry has heroes whoare narcissistic and always want tolook good.
Jogi (in Shanghai) is veryunattractive, but also strives to bea hero,” he says,with true conviction.It’s not just the rat race he’sdismissive of, he cares a damnabout the ongoing “War OfTitles” (Badshah, King, Rockstar)as well. “I think these titles arefrivolous, but if people want togo ahead and give it, so be it.”Yet, when other actors winsweepstakes at the B-O, he feels asting of jealousy, doesn’t he?”Yes, I do,” he says.Adding, “I think it’s not justimportant for you to succeed, butit’s important for others to failtoo.
It sounds shocking, but mostof us in the industry think thisway, but don’t speak our minds.When someone fails, you thinkyou are ruling. That’s how everyprofession works, doesn’t it?With an enviable line-up offilms like Raaz 3 (Bhatts),Ghanchakkar (Rajkumar Gupta),Ek Thi Daayan (VishalBhardwaj), he has the best ofboth — commercial and classy,massy and rule-bending. Emraanis in a jannat-like place.
