Emraan Hashmi On Playing Villain In Salman Khan’s Tiger 3: ‘Was Initially Skeptical’ –

Actor Emraan Hashmi delved into his initial reservations about taking on the role of the antagonist in the third installment of the Tiger franchise, Tiger 3. The film’s unique marketing strategy, reminiscent of the approach used for the successful Pathaan starring Shah Rukh Khan, involved restraining traditional promotional efforts for the lead actors. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Hashmi revealed that he was summoned by YRF casting head Shanoo Sharma for a meeting with director Maneesh Sharma. During this meeting, he was presented with the opportunity to play the antagonist in the spy-thriller.

He further talked about his initial skepticism due to his history of portraying positive or grey characters. “I was honestly a little skeptical, because when you hear the word ‘antagonist’, certain preconceived notions emerge in your mind. I’ve generally played positive characters, some grey characters,” he said. However, Hashmi found the character’s portrayal intriguing, acknowledging the “depth, nuance, and attention to detail” in the script.

Hashmi’s role in Tiger 3 marks a departure from his usual on-screen romantic or grey persona, adding an extra layer of anticipation for fans. He also shared insights into his working relationship with Salman Khan, co-star of Tiger 3. Having come close to collaborating with Khan on several occasions in the past, Hashmi emphasised that he felt no intimidation on set, highlighting their existing fondness for each other.

“I’ve known Salman for quite some time; he’s fond of me, and I’m fond of him. I wasn’t intimidated. You generally get intimidated when you don’t know your co-star; it happened to me when I worked with Amitabh Bachchan, but not here,” he said.

Tiger 3, positioned as the fifth installment in the YRF Spy Universe, features an ensemble cast including Katrina Kaif and cameo appearances by Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. The film serves as a direct sequel to both Tiger Zinda Hai and this year’s blockbuster Pathaan, which grossed over Rs 1000 crore worldwide. Impressively, Tiger 3 has already amassed nearly Rs 300 crore globally within its first week of release, showcasing the continued success of the YRF Spy Universe.