20 Years of Emraan Hashmi

20 years ago, Tere Naam (2003) was released on this very day. Directed by Satish Kaushik, this romantic drama is remembered not just for its plot, unforgettable moments and hit music but also for Salman Khan’s outstanding performance. Many considered his performance as one of the best of his career. His hairstyle had become a rage at that time. Interestingly, August 15, 2003, also saw the release of Footpath (2003). The film failed to work at the box office and didn’t get thumbs up from the audiences or critics. However, it is a landmark film as it marked the debut of Emraan Hashmi. In other words, the dashing actor completes 20 years today as an actor in Bollywood.

Footpath featured Emraan in a supporting role. The Vikram Bhatt-directorial had Aftab Shivdasani and Bipasha Basu in the lead. Viewers also went to see both of them and came out going ga ga over Emraan Hashmi’s performance! He was called the scene stealer by critics. Trade veteran and expert critic Taran Adarsh mentioned in his Foothpath review on Bollywood Hungama that Emraan is ‘a complete natural, given the right roles, directors and films, the youngster can work wonders’.

And sure enough, Emraan Hashmi did work wonders and how. In his second film, Murder (2004), he scored a sixer. Also starring Mallika Sherawat and Ashmit Patel, the film made erotica mainstream in Bollywood. No wonder that motivated by Murder’s super-hit verdict, even the A-listers realized that it’s okay to kiss and get intimate on screen. Emraan, meanwhile, continued to do many such films. He was called ‘Serial Kisser’ in the forgettable flick Jawani Diwani – A Youthful Joyride (2006) and that tag sticks with him to date. Many of his films might not have done numbers but they surely had melodious music. And that’s also something Emraan began to be known for.

But thanks to his ‘Serial Kisser’ image, Emraan Hashmi developed a place in the hearts of the masses. His entry scene elicits a crazy response even today in theatres, especially the single-screens. This writer witnessed first-hand how the audiences in Gaiety-Galaxy went bonkers when Emraan came to see the audience reaction for the first day third show of his film Baadshaho (2017). And this happened at a time when Emraan had given a string of flops. Yet, he had such a craze speaks volumes of his stardom.

On the other hand, he is the complete opposite of his on-screen avatar. He has rarely gotten into controversies and prefers to let his work do the talking and nothing else. This non-controversial image of Emraan has also been lapped up.

Emraan Hashmi’s debut film had a Salman Khan connection. Life comes full circle for him as in his 20th year, his big release also has a Bhai connection. Emraan will be seen as the antagonist in Tiger 3, co-starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Produced by Yash Raj Films, it’ll be out on Diwali 2023. The excitement for the film went many notches higher thanks to Emraan’s casting and the fact that audiences will get to see two mass heroes in a face-off. Expect ear-splitting sounds of whistles and hoots not just for Salman’s scenes but also for Emraan this Festival of Lights!