Emraan Hashmi Says Mahesh Bhatt Warned Him About Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai: 'Your Career Will...'

‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’ stands as a monumental film in Emraan Hashmi’s career, where he delivered a riveting performance as Shoaib Khan, a character inspired by the infamous underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim. However, this pivotal role did not come without its challenges. Emraan faced initial resistance from his uncle and acclaimed director, Mahesh Bhatt, who was hesitant about Emraan embracing such a negative character. Bhatt’s apprehensions were rooted in the storyline, which had been narrated to him by director Milan Luthria, causing him to worry about the potential impact on Emraan’s career trajectory. Despite these concerns, Emraan took on the role and left an indelible mark with his portrayal.

In a recent conversation with The Lallantop, Emraan Hashmi revealed a pivotal moment in his career when his uncle, Mahesh Bhatt, expressed serious concerns about his choice of role. Bhatt cautioned him, saying, “If you play this character, your career will be over.” The apprehension arose from the irredeemable nature of the character and the potential impact on the audience’s perception of Hashmi. Recalling the warning, the star of ‘Murder’ shared, “He warned me, ‘While some characters with grey shades are able to redeem themselves, this character will change people’s perception of you overnight,’”

Despite Mahesh Bhatt’s warnings, Emraan Hashmi chose to take on the role. Following the film’s release and its overwhelming success, Bhatt had a change of heart. Emraan recounted, “When the film released and became a massive success, he called Milan and said, ‘I am sorry. I was wrong.’ He admitted that the film, contrary to his initial thoughts, was entertaining rather than dark.”

‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’ (2010) is a captivating neo-noir crime thriller that melds gripping storytelling with stellar direction by Milan Luthria and a compelling script by Rajat Arora. The film’s ensemble cast, including Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai, and Randeep Hooda, delivers powerful performances that bring the gritty underworld of Mumbai to life.