Emraan Hashmi calls out male ego in Bollywood: ‘How many would’ve dared to do Haq?’

Emraan Hashmi has never shied away from speaking his mind, and this time, the actor has turned the spotlight on insecurity among male stars in Bollywood. Reflecting on the industry’s storytelling patterns, he spoke about why hyper-masculine films dominate the box office and why women-led or subject-driven narratives often struggle to find takers.

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Why Films Like Animal Strike a Chord?

In a conversation with News18, Hashmi explained that the massive success of Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal wasn’t accidental. According to him, many men resonated with its themes, even though it faced resistance from critics and sections of social media. He noted that such films are likely to continue thriving because they align with what theatrical audiences currently demand.

‘Men in Our Industry Are Very Insecure’

Sharing his blunt assessment, Hashmi said, "Men in our industry are very insecure. How many people would’ve done a film like Haq? Every narrative should showcase a man’s victory. I’m not blowing my own trumpet here. But even back then, I did a film like The Dirty Picture. I liked the subject," underlining his belief in stories that challenge conventional heroism.

The Era of the Hyper-Masculine Hero

Hashmi further elaborated on the cinematic trend, saying, “We need to get off our insecurities and do more stuff like that. But it’s very clear what’s happening today, cinematically. As far as things are going theatrically, you need a hyper-masculine man, a villain, the tropes, the clichés. It’s very evident that it’s what the audience wants. This kind of portrayal has always worked. In the 70s and the 80s, the hypermasculine era of Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna gave us films like Deewar and Trishul that worked."

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More About Haq

Hashmi’s latest film Haq, co-starring Yami Gautam, stands as a testament to his stance. Inspired by a landmark judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court, the courtroom drama recently premiered on Netflix. Produced by Junglee Pictures and directed by Suparn S Varma, the film has been widely appreciated for its powerful narrative.

The film’s impact has gone beyond audiences, earning praise from Bollywood personalities including Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar and Kiara Advani, who lauded the cast and crew for backing a strong, meaningful story.