Emraan Hashmi

It must feel good to get the kiss of success with Jannat.

There’s a celebratory spirit in the team but now it’s back to work. With success comes responsibility for the next project. I’m hell bent on making sure that it shapes into a film that’s even better than Jannat.

There was a lot of hype about IPL at the time of the film’s release; were you confident about Jannat?

The industry was telling us not to release the film at this point (during IPL) and warned us that the film would flop. But we released the film because we were arrogantly confident about it.

Did you expect it to become the biggest hit of your career?

The film was made on a modest budget so it has probably earned more than other films that were declared hits in the year. Net profit of the film is higher than that of other films. Jannat is the biggest hit of the year in terms of budget and return on investment. We knew it would be a hit but not such a big hit.

Jannat must have come as a relief to you, particularly after your poor run at the box office for a year-and-a-half.

It has given me a new lease of life. I was banking on Jannat. It was very important for my career, which otherwise I would have kissed goodbye. At a time when actors are gauged only by their box-office collections, it is not just necessary to be a good actor. You also have to get the audience into the cinema halls. My film and I have managed to do that. Jannat has helped me buy some more time for myself.

How did you handle the lull in your career, when films like The Train and Awarapan didn’t work?

I thank the low phase in my career. If I hadn’t had that time, I wouldn’t have worked in Jannat and given it everything. That situation was created because of my frustration at my inability to have a successful film at the box office. But after every bad phase another door opens up — that door was Jannat in my case.

Is it true that you have now signed a Rs15 crore contract with Percept Picture Company?

I don’t want to get into the number game right now, but yes I’m doing a film with them, which is almost finalised. That film will happen post Raaz 2.

Is it true that you have raised your price after Jannat?

Yes, it is true that I have raised my price after Jannat; but I’m justified in doing so. It is not always that a film gets an opening like this. I believe in myself and what I can deliver to a film. Money is never a criteria, it is not that anyone who has the money can cast me in their film. Eventually one has to get a good project.

So at what price will you work with the Bhatts?

It’s my own company so money has never been an issue with them. But Mukeshji always gives me a fair price.

The Bhatts have stood by you in every endeavour of yours.

They have always been a source of strength. We have a great professional relationship which extends beyond anything.

You said with success comes responsibility; but success also changes equations between people. Do you think your relationship with the Bhatts is above success and failure?

Yes it is. Even when I had a string of films which didn’t set the box office on fire, they still had faith in me and invested money to make a film with me. I expect this from them and not from anyone else.

And now will we see you playing characters who are not living on the edge?

I’m not really into playing a typical hero. But if I get a good story, then why not? I’m more inclined towards the darker side of human nature; and that is what is seen in every film of mine.