Exclusive: Family Man fame Sharib Hashmi reveals he had to sell his house in struggling days, says, "Abhi Mumbai mein mere sir ke niche chhat hai"

The Family Man fame Sharib Hashmi

Sharib Hashmi has had an interesting and diverse career in the Indian entertainment industry, playing a variety of characters, from comedic roles to intense ones. He is well-known for his role as JK Talpade in the popular series The Family Man. In a recent interview with MoneyControl, he spoke about his latest film Sandook and shared insights into his career and the challenges he's faced along the way.

When asked about his new character in Sandook, Sharib explained that it is unlike anything he's done before. "Sandook means very different in its own zone. I have never played a character like this before. You will see when you watch the film, you will realize that I’ve never done something like this. I’m playing a double role in the film. Before this, in The Great Indian Murder, I played a double role, but one character dies, and there is a small flashback. In Sandook, both the characters are alive and together, which made it very challenging for me," he said. He further highlighted the unique nature of the film’s storyline, calling it a big USP of the project. The story is distinctive and unlike anything audiences have seen before.

The conversation then shifted to Sharib’s role in The Family Man, where his character JK Talpade has become iconic. The interviewer remarked on how his fluency in Marathi gives his character a natural feel for the audience in Maharashtra. Sharib explained how he effortlessly slipped into the role due to his background. "I am a Mumbaiya, born and raised in Mumbai, and I have always been around Marathi speakers. My school taught Marathi until 10th grade, and my friends are mostly from Maharashtra. At home, my father was from Uttar Pradesh, and my mother was from Delhi, so my language is a blend of influences. But Marathi, I love it. It’s one of my favorite languages, and when they saw my audition, they decided to make my character from Maharashtra," Sharib shared. This switch from the originally planned Bengali character to a Marathi one felt natural to him.

When asked about the upcoming season of The Family Man, Sharib teased that the third season would have a lot of exciting new elements. "In season three, there is a lot of newness in my character. We will learn new things, have more fun, and the scale of this season is bigger than before. When people saw season one, they loved it. In season two, it was double the fun. And in season three, I can guarantee that the fun will be triple," he said, clearly excited about the next chapter in the series.

Reflecting on his journey in the industry, Sharib recalled his struggles in the early years. "The struggling period was full of challenges, but I enjoyed it. I used to give auditions and even though the financial crunch was difficult, I was happiest when I was in front of the camera. Even if I didn’t get the job, I was just happy to be part of the process. I remember those days very fondly," he said. It wasn’t easy for Sharib, and for three years, he only gave auditions without landing any roles. Yet, he managed to keep going, supported by his family and friends.

Sharib also shared that one of the things he is most proud of today is owning his own house. "Now, I have my own house. Back when I was struggling, I had bought a flat when I was working as a writer at MTV, but I had to sell it because I couldn’t afford the EMI. Now I have been able to buy a house again, and it feels amazing to have a roof over my head in Mumbai," he said, visibly proud of his accomplishments.

When asked if there is any Bollywood character he would love to play, Sharib mentioned a few roles that have inspired him. "I would love to play the character of Rajesh Khanna from Anand, Om Puri’s role in Ardh Satya, and Kamal Haasan’s character from Sadma. There are many characters I’d love to explore," he shared.

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Despite the challenges, Sharib has remained deeply grateful for the opportunities he's had. "If I didn’t love the industry, I wouldn’t still be here after all these years. I started as an assistant director, worked as a writer, and then transitioned to acting. It’s been 16-17 years since I started acting, and I am really lucky to be a part of this industry," he expressed. He also acknowledged that while the industry has its difficulties, with fierce competition, the rise of platforms like OTT has opened up new avenues for actors.

Finally, Sharib sent a heartfelt message to his fans. "Thank you so much for all the love and support. I really appreciate it. When season three of The Family Man releases, I hope you’ll watch it. And my new film Sandook is also releasing soon. It’s a unique story, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Please do watch it," he concluded.