Emraan Hashmi gets honest about being dishonest
Emraan Hashmi gets honest about being dishonest
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EMRAAN Hashmi is remembered most for his smooch-athons. Now, he wants to build a reputation as a serious performer. So he chooses roles with shades of darkness. And although he admits he's not a traditionally good-looking guy, makes an impact nevertheless.
Like in Gangster or Murder. But his big runaway hit last year was Jannat, where he played a match-fixer, again delving into the evil within each of us to bring truth to his character. Audiences identified with this and the film hit a box-office sixer.
In his latest Raaz The Mystery Continues, Emraan reveals some secrets: he's usually straightforward but sometimes not; and that he understands the darker side of the soul.
How are you doing?
I am rejuvenated after my much-needed New Year holiday in Hong Kong. I was working like crazy.
The film is about the supernatural; do you believe in the paranormal?
I do. I met a person who did auto writing before the filming. It's a medium to get in touch with a dead friend or relative. They communicate and that is brought down on paper. My character is similar to that, only we gave the character a visual flare.
The concept isn't so new.
No, it is.
Well, it's premonition but through paintings.
Ya. See, we have been goofing up the horror genre in our industry for decades. Our horror films look like comedies.
Apparently you learned painting to give your character an authentic touch.
I am a bad painter. But I needed to know how to hold the brush properly... so all that I learnt. But we got an artist to do the paintings of Kangana (Ranaut).
So did you have fun during the shoot?
We didn't have too much fun. Mohit (Suri) is a hard taskmaster. He is extremely violent on the sets (laughs). I am just kidding. But Mohit, Kangana and I did try to call spirits in Shimla.
Really?
Yes, but it was a futile experience. There is this thing called the Ouija board. Have you heard of it?
I have heard of planchette.
It's something similar. I think it comes from France. It's a board with alphabets and yes-no options with a pointer. I think one of us was moving the pointer. So everyone was spooked.
There were reports that you were upset with Kangana and Adhyayan Suman on the sets.
No, no, no... I was in Cape Town when the news came out. I don't recall when I was upset with anyone. I barely have scenes with Adhyayan. Most of my scenes are with Kangana.
So how many kisses do you have in this film?
(Sighs) Every interview is incomplete without that question. Do you think there are any scenes? I look too evil to kiss in this film (laughs...pauses). Maybe a kiss or two here and there.
Just two?
Probably more. Probably none. (Smiles)
You must be quite comfortable with it.
With what?
With the kissing scenes.
I haven't done it for a while.
Jannat...
(Cuts in) I didn't kiss in Jannat.
We'll come back to that later. Tell me, if you weren't related to Mahesh Bhatt, would you still have it so easy in the industry?
If I wasn't related to Bhatt saheb, I won't be acting. I had family concerns. Bhatt saheb said become an actor. Forget about struggling, I wasn't even trying to struggle. I don't think anyone would have offered me a role if I weren't a family member. I don't have striking good looks.
How honest...
I am not that honest. I can be dishonest at times. You should be wary of honest people. You can always trust a dishonest person to be dishonest.
When was the last time you were dishonest.
I lied to you two questions back.
About the kissing scenes in Jannat?
A liar never tells what he lied about. (Laughs)
I am going back to the serial kisser question...
Can't there be an interview without that? (Grumbles)
You know the 'serial kisser' tag is a regular joke on radio, reality shows?
That's all right. Everyone has had an image in the industry... even after the person tried to change it. I would be upset if people stopped watching my films.
Tell us one thing we don't know about you.
Everyone knows that I kiss a lot (laughs). What people don't know is probably that I am a normal, straightforward guy, a bit dishonest at times, with mood swings (laughs).
You also don't say no to characters with negative shades.
I think I am a slave to my face. People say, 'Woh na, woh to h****i dikta hai'. I guess, that's why the characters I do fit the bill. I like playing dark characters. I understand the darker side better than the goody-two-shoes side of my personality.
What evil things have you done?
I can't tell you that.
I am asking about the ones that can be printed.
Na, I can't tell you that. It's too graphic. (Laughs) Okay, I have got vices that people disapprove of. I had a wild time before I got into films and that comes with every normal growing up teenager. It's boring to be good all the time. That's why I get uncomfortable with people who are always politically correct. It unnerves me.
Has marriage changed you?
Not much. I am more disciplined now. I have the responsibility of one more person now... I married because it was the right time. We are in love and we are happy.
So basically you are an evil person with a romantic heart.
Yes! It's a good blend between evil and romantic. A bit of niceness, a bit of evil (laughs).
When was the last night out with the boys?
I don't get much of that after marriage. My wife is a bit cautious about allowing me to do night outs with boys... because of my evil side. Maybe she will be slightly lenient in some time. I am coaching her for that.
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