“Akshay Kumar won’t harm Filmistaan” – Sharib Hashmi

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

June 6, 2014 - 10:26 AM IST

In a year when absolute newcomers (Tiger Shroff) or one/two/three film olds (Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra, Arjun Kapoor) are making waves and delivering hits, an unconventional central protagonist is knocking the Bollywood doors with Filmistaan. Though the name Sharib Hashmi doesn't ring a bell for now, it may not be the same few days down the line if buzz surrounding the film is any indication.

“Akshay Kumar won’t harm Filmistaan” – Sharib Hashmi

Not many are aware that Yash Chopra had given you a break couple of years back as Shahrukh Khan's Pakistani buddy and roomie in Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

(Laughs) They had kept it all so guarded that even I didn't know how much of my role will remain in the film's final cut. I wondered how many of my scenes would be actually left. Thankfully most of them were with Shahrukh so they all remained, barring one. However, till the very release, I didn't talk about myself on social media as I was very skeptical. Later, perhaps I wasn't too strong on my PR to create visibility.

In fact Filmistaan was ready around the same time as Jab Tak Hai Jaan, right?

True. And as a matter of fact, I had almost not done Filmistaan since the dates of shooting were clashing with Jab Tak Hai Jaan. My director Nitin Kakkar really wanted me to play Sunny but there was this date issue. Later, when nothing materialized for him with the other actors, he convinced producers to wait for me for 20 days. Thankfully they agreed. I remember landing from London after the shoot of Jab Tak Hain Jaan on March 18, and starting Filmistaan shoot on 19th March. This was in 2012.

Cliched as it may sound but for a movie buff like you, was it a given that you would be seen in front of the camera?

When I was a kid, my dad was a movie journalist. Film stars use to come to our place so I used to think that I will become a hero when I will grow up. But then I never grew up I guess as I am just 5 ft 4 inch (laughs). So then I gave up my acting dreams and became an Assistant Director way back in 1998 with Govinda and Urmila's Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain. Then Rajpal Yadav burst into the scene and I felt there was hope for me too.

A man caught in a terror zone - Will the core of Filmistaan remind audience of Tere Bin Laden?

No, not at all, as right from the subject to treatment, these are two different films. Humor of Tere Bin Laden was slapstick while ours is more situational and dialogue based.

Meanwhile your film is taking on Akshay Kumar's Holiday.

Arrey, Akshay Kumar is our bhai. What harm will he do to others? He will only take care of us, I am positive about that.