Movies rejected by Emraan Hashmi

Emraan Hashmi, famous for his unconventional decisions and iconic performances, has also hit the news for the biggest Bollywood movies he rejected. From romantic superhits to multi-starrer dramas, these choices have defined both his career as well as the path of other actors who filled in for him. Here is a closer look at some of the most prominent movies Emraan Hashmi rejected, the characters he was approached with, and why he said no.

Emraan Hashmi was the first choice for the lead role in 'Aashiqui 2,' later played by Aditya Roy Kapur. Director Mohit Suri, Hashmi’s cousin, approached him for the poignant love story. Hashmi declined, believing the film would resonate more with audiences if it featured fresh faces rather than established actors. He felt that the magic of discovery would be lost with a known star, a decision he stands by without regret.

Emraan Hashmi was considered for an important role in 'Student of the Year,' Karan Johar's teen romance drama. He rejected the project because he didn't see the film's young, gleaming universe in sync with the on-screen identity he had formed. Hashmi, who prides himself on playing intense, offbeat parts, thought that he wouldn't be able to fit into the world of the film naturally. Another reason was that he refused to romance Alia because they are cousins! Emraan Hashmi is Mahesh Bhatt’s maternal nephew and Alia Bhatt's distant cousin.

Hashmi was approached for a pivotal part in Zoya Akhtar’s ensemble family drama 'Dil Dhadakne Do.' He chose to pass on the film, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and a lack of a strong personal connection to the character offered. The film eventually featured a star-studded cast, but Hashmi’s decision allowed him to pursue other projects more in tune with his interests.

Director Mohit Suri, a regular collaborator, had first thought of Emraan Hashmi for the title role in 'Ek Villain.' Hashmi turned it down, as he was not interested in playing similar dark, revengeful roles he had done in the past. He did not want to be typecast and looked for new challenges in roles, opening the way for Sidharth Malhotra to play the role.

Following his highly praised performance in the first 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,' Hashmi was approached to feature in the sequel. He declined the movie, believing that the arc of his character had ended purposefully in the first one and that reprising would be unfair to the narrative as well as his performance. The sequel went ahead with another cast and plot direction.