Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has opened up about facing repeated profiling at airport immigration checks during the early 2000s, attributing it to his appearance which seemed to "fit the bill" of a suspicious person. The actor shared this personal anecdote at the Mumbai trailer launch event for his upcoming Netflix web series, 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web'.
A Personal Tale of Airport Profiling
When asked if he had ever been stopped by customs or immigration officials, Hashmi confirmed the experiences. He described an "overpowering fear" that travellers often feel, even when completely innocent, comparing it to the anxiety a new driver feels upon seeing an RTO officer.
He elaborated on his specific encounters, stating, "I have been called out at immigration checks very early on, probably because of earrings or stuff, when I used to travel alone." The actor revealed that in the early 2000s, he was frequently "whisked away to the side" for additional checks. "That is called profiling. I fit the bill of somebody, but I don't know who that person was," Hashmi remarked, highlighting the arbitrary nature of such stops. He noted that this treatment ceased when he started travelling with his family, as they apparently made him seem less suspicious.
Neeraj Pandey's 'Taskaree' and On-Screen Challenges
The event marked the trailer launch for Neeraj Pandey's latest directorial venture, 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web'. The series, set to premiere on Netflix on January 14, delves into the high-pressure world of customs officers and smuggling networks. The show features Emraan Hashmi and Sharad Kelkar in lead roles, promising a gritty, pulpy narrative.
During the launch, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, known for his fascination with stories about men in uniform, humorously addressed the challenge of casting Emraan Hashmi, whose on-screen persona is often linked with intense romantic roles. "The only challenge was making a family-friendly show with Emraan. That was quite a challenge, but we managed to pull it off," Pandey joked. Hashmi quickly retorted with a laugh, "Well, I controlled myself for the show."
Career Moves and Streaming Presence
Neeraj Pandey's last project was the second season of the espionage thriller 'Special Ops'. Emraan Hashmi was recently seen in the series 'Haq', which is also available for streaming on Netflix. Their collaboration on 'Taskaree' signifies a continued investment in high-stakes, institutional dramas for digital platforms.
The revelation by Hashmi sheds light on the very real issue of profiling that individuals can face based on their looks, a theme that resonates with the fictional world of surveillance and suspicion depicted in his upcoming series.
