Happy Birthday Emraan Hashmi: 8 Films That Made Him a Bollywood Heartthrob

Shattering the mould of Bollywood, Emraan Hashmi emerged as a game changer during the early 2000s and reshaped the Hindi film industry with his unique style and skills. Over two decades, he has continuously evolved as an actor, transitioning from a ‘serial kisser’ to a multi-talented actor. Known for his unconventional looks and intense performances, Emraan has left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema. From playing complex characters to delivering memorable performances, he has garnered appreciation from audiences and critics.

As the Bollywood heartthrob celebrates his 45th birthday, it’s a perfect opportunity to revisit some of his finest works. On actor’s birthday, here’s a look at 8 of Emraan Hashmi’s standout films that have impressed audiences to date.

1. Once Upon a Time in MumbaiEmraan Hashmi impressed audiences with his role as Shoaib Khan, a character which was loosely based on Dawood Ibrahim in this gangster film. The movie earned him awards and praise. The actor showed his ability and brought depth to the film’s storyline.
2. AwarapanDespite underperforming at the box office during the release, the film gained cult status over the years, largely due to Hashmi’s realistic and strong performance that connected well with audiences.
3. GangsterEmraan Hashmi’s performance as a charming yet mysterious gangster earned him a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role. While Kangana Ranaut and Shiney Ahuja played their parts well, Emraan stood out among all.
4. JannatThe romantic crime film directed by Kunal Deshmukh became a turning point in Emraan Hashmi’s career. Although the actor played a flawed character, who gets embroiled in a match-fixing scandal, it was his performance that made the audience fall in love with him as an actor.
5. The Dirty PictureIn this biopic based on the life of controversial actress Silk Smitha, Emraan Hashmi delivered a knockout performance as a director who hates Silk (played by Vidya Balan) but eventually falls in love with her.
6. MurderDirected by Anurag Basu, this erotic thriller attracted audiences to theatres for Emraan Hashmi’s bold and sizzling chemistry with Mallika Sherawat. Further, the movie also became successful for its memorable songs.
7. ShanghaiWhile Bollywood filmmakers mostly stay away from political thrillers, Shanghai was critically acclaimed for its gripping storyline and top-notch performances by cast members, especially Emraan Hashmi, who added depth to the film’s narrative and showed how far the actor has come.
8. Hamari Adhuri KahaniDirected by Mohit Suri, this romantic drama featured Emraan Hashmi in a mature and emotional role, which earned him praise for his performance. On the other hand, his chemistry with Vidya Balan was loved by both audiences and critics.