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Akshaya Naik, who portrays a smuggler in Neeraj Pandey’s gripping thriller, Taskaree, acknowledges that Akkha Bollywood ek taraf aur Emraan Hashmi ek taraf!
She is among those fortunate enough to collaborate closely with the veteran actor early in her career. In a special interview with Zoom, Naik described Hashmi as a wonderful co-actor. She further commended his straightforward attitude towards his craft and noted how he interacted with his fellow actors, team members, and the crew of Taskaree. Reflecting on her relationship with him, Akshaya mentioned that she maintained a professional and friendly rapport.
Akshaya Naik on her relationship with Emraan Hashmi
Akshaya shared, "It was delightful to see him arrive on set, go through his lines, consult the director on what needed to be done, and offer his own suggestions for improvement. I admire his professionalism. Yes, on the first day of filming, I was in awe, but I opted to take a more observant role around him. If I had let myself slip into fan-girling, it would have been challenging to perform those scenes. Ultimately, we needed to deliver our best work as co-stars, not as friends.”
She also mentioned that engaging in casual conversation with him felt inappropriate from her viewpoint, and it was essential to keep her admiration in check to maintain professional limits. “I appreciate his talent, but he isn’t my friend. We were colleagues, and there was so much to learn from him as he is a prominent figure. I would watch him closely. From how he interacted with his co-stars to his own team, he was always composed and kind to everyone,” she expressed.
Akshaya Naik on Emraan Hashmi's celebrity status
Naik concluded by stating, “What people say is absolutely accurate. He possesses a unique presence and doesn’t force it upon others. He never makes his co-stars feel his celebrity status. For him, it’s about ensuring the work is done properly without making everything center around him. While filming the initial chase scene, we were in Worli village, and his vehicle couldn’t navigate those tight streets. The production crew had to transport him to and from his car on a scooter. Locals were astonished to see Emraan Hashmi on a scooter. Rather than causing a scene, he recognized the difficulties posed by the location and worked cooperatively with the team. This mindset makes a significant impact.”
Taskaree centers on a group of customs officers who pursue offenders at the Mumbai international airport. Akshaya is part of this team. The series is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
