"Actors Are Suckers For Attention": Emraan Hashmi On Fame, Money And Insecurities (image-X/emraanhashmi)
In the glittering world of Bollywood, where fame is everything, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi lays bare his soul about navigating popularity, feeding into insecurities, the influence of money, and more.
In a candid interview with Instant Bollywood, the actor confessed that his formative years within the film industry were driven by the allure of perks – glamour, money, and luxuries. His prime motivators, during the first six to seven years, were money and fame. Hashmi readily admits that his passion for the craft of acting was half of what it is today. A young Emraan Hashmi chased the spotlight, craving it and letting it determine his career choices.
Reflecting on his early choices, Hashmi recalls an inexperienced man driven by external validations. Yet he acknowledges the invaluable lessons learned along the way, embracing the learning curve that came along in his journey of self-discovery. The Tiger 3 actor recognises the industry’s unforgiving nature, with high stakes and intense pressure for success.
The actor highlights the constant reminder of the high stakes, the unending pursuit of success and creating a legacy, and the brutal truth of failure killing the person from inside. In a rare moment of vulnerability and honesty, Hashmi lays bare the insecurities that haunt even the most seasoned of stars. “If someone tells you it”s not about the money or the fame, they are lying,” he said. Calling actors “suckers for attention,” Hashmi added, “Actors fear anonymity as much as people say that it doesn’t really matter.”
Fast forward to the present, and Hashmi finds himself at the helm of Showtime, the 2024 web series backed by none other than Karan Johar himself. Directed by the duo of Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar, Showtime also features the talented Naseeruddin Shah, Rajeev Khandelwal, Mouni Roy, Mahima Makwana, and Shriya Saran.
Ae Watan Mere Watan, his next venture, is inspired by real-life events during the Quit India Movement in 1942. Hashmi portrays the role of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, the Indian activist, while the lead, Sara Ali Khan, plays Gandhian freedom fighter Usha Mehta.
