During the promotion of Ground Zero, Imran Hashmi revealed how he struggled to shed the "serial kisser" tag and establish himself as a serious actor. Learn about Imran's journey and transformation.
Entertainment Desk: Imran Hashmi, once labeled the "serial kisser" due to his roles in bold films like Murder, Awarapan, and Zeher, has finally broken his silence on the tag. During the promotion of Ground Zero, the actor revealed in a podcast how this label once bothered him, and how he wished to be perceived as a serious actor. He acknowledged that he created this image himself, but when he tried to move beyond it, people's preconceived notions hindered his progress.
When an Image Became a Career Identity
Imran explained that a significant portion of his career, from 2003 to 2012, was defined by the "serial kisser" tag. His films during that period were marketed around this very image. He stated, "Sometimes, irrelevant scenes were added just to maintain that image. The tag was attached to my name even before the film's title." According to Imran, this period represented his success, but it also limited him as an artist.
The Challenge of Moving in a New Direction
The actor shared that when he attempted to steer his career in a new direction, he hoped audiences would accept him as a serious artist. However, even when he played diverse roles, people continued to associate him with the old tag. He said, "I was trying to do something new, but people kept repeating the same tag. This is where an inner frustration began."
Imran's Honesty: 'I Can't Blame Anyone'
Imran Hashmi clarified that he doesn't blame anyone else for this tag. He said, "It's my own doing. I chose those films and those roles. I never protested because those films were successful at the time. But when you move forward and change, you expect others to see you with a fresh perspective." He added that he's not as bothered by it now, but there was a time when this image caused him considerable distress.
A New Era, Preparing to Create a New Image
With films like Ground Zero, Imran now aims to showcase new facets of his acting. He expresses happiness that the industry and audiences are starting to recognize the serious actor within him. He's now leaving behind that old tag and establishing himself as a versatile actor.
