Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has always occupied a space in Hindi cinema that is difficult to define. Never the conventional hero, yet firmly mainstream, his career has been built on characters that are slightly off-centre, morally gray and emotionally complicated.
That instinct continues with Taskaree, his new Netflix series, which climbed to the No. 1 trending spot soon after the strong response to his earlier movie Haq, where he played a Muslim lawyer. And he steers clear of his 'serial kisser' image as well.
Emraan Hashmi plays the role of a customs officer in Taskaree, who is navigating the murky world of smuggling, corruption and power, but with a tonality that is far lighter than what audiences associate with him.
The show is glossy, fast-paced and entertaining, a conscious departure from the raw intensity that defined much of his early work. In an exclusive interaction with Moneycontrol, Emraan acknowledged that this shift is precisely what has surprised viewers.
Reflecting on his career choices, Emraan said, “I think it just is something I was keeping in the momentum from my first film. I don't think I ever fit the bill of a conventional hero. Although they have always been commercial films. Apart from some indie kinds of, you would say, parallel films, but mainly commercial. But the characters have always been a little off the beaten path. Gray shades, very unconventional arcs.”
But according to Emraan, his onscreen image was shaped very early on in his career due to the kind of film choices he made.
"Aur jab aapko career ke shuruat mein hi aisi movies mil jaati hai toh people start envisioning you as that, as being a strength. I don't think I would have gone down the path of doing the atypical hero roles. I don't think I would be suited to it because my mind is not that way. I always think a little odd and off," he told us.
What stands out in Taskaree is that despite being the show’s central face, the first few episodes shift focus from Emraan Hashmi to his co-actors and it allows the narrative to breathe through them.
The initial episodes actually give equal weight to the supporting cast, with his character often guiding the story rather than dominating it.
When we asked him about the same, Emraan said that for him this was never about stepping back but about strengthening the show. He smiled and called it a selfish move rather than being selfless.
“For me, it's always the script and the overall film or show is paramount. Of course, my character has to make an impact… But it won't make an impact if the show doesn't make an impact. Although it seems like a selfless move, it's a selfish move because ultimately it's very important for everyone's performance to work for me to work. My co-actors also have to do well. I have to be able to bounce off and just have good chemistry with them on screen," he said with a cheeky smile.
The series also dives into the mechanics of smuggling and corruption, a subject that inevitably raises questions about real-life experiences.
Emraan dismissed any dramatic parallels, saying, “No, no, never, never. I didn't have customs officials; I've been very sweet. There's never been a mishap of any nature at the airports… they've always been cordial," he said.
Emraan Hashmi in a still from Murder
Emraan explore new genres
The renewed applause for Taskaree comes on the back of Haq, a project that once again showed audiences a side of Emraan they hadn’t fully explored.
We asked him if he has now gotten his due, but Emraan said he believes the love has always been there, even if the perception has changed over time.
"People forget also that audiences have given me a lot of love. Initially, yes, I didn't get critical acclaim because of the nature of the films. But the fans have been very supportive," said Emraan.
“People would like to see me in Murder, Jannat, and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. Those audiences have never seen me in Shanghai or as a Tiger,” he said, adding that Taskaree continues that evolution.
“I've played a BSF officer, and I've played a lawyer in Haq. I'm playing a customs officer in Taskaree. So, it's a complete mixed bag and people are liking it," he adds, talking about the wide range of characters he gets to play rather than getting molded into one.
The visual tone of the show has also sparked discussion, with some questioning whether a rawer treatment would have elevated it further.
Emraan disagreed. “Sometimes making something raw, something very raw, really gritty. You lose the entertainment quotient. It has to be a little poppy,” he said, explaining that it is the show’s glossy energy that makes it binge-worthy and accessible to a wider audience.
Taskaree features a strong supporting cast, including Nimisha Sajayan, Manav Kaul, Priya Bapat and Swanand Kirkire, and is created by Neeraj Pandey. Together, they build a world that balances crime, humour and drama without losing its mainstream appeal.
Early Rise to Fame
Emraan Hashmi began his career in the early 2000s and rose to instant fame with Murder, a film that not only defined a genre but also cemented his image as an actor unafraid of discomfort.
Hits like Gangster, Awarapan, Jannat, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Zeher and Kalyug made him one of the most recognizable stars of his generation, even as critical recognition came later.
Over the years, he has quietly expanded his range through films like Shanghai, Tiger, and now Haq, moving beyond the persona that once defined him.
With Taskaree, Emraan Hashmi appears lighter, more relaxed and more confident—an actor comfortable with his past, yet clearly interested in pushing forward.
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