Actor Emraan Hashmi recently opened up about an unusual experience from his early years of travelling abroad, revealing that he was often pulled aside at immigration counters and believes his appearance
may have played a role in it.
The actor made the revelation while attending the trailer launch of his upcoming web series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web in Mumbai on Wednesday. Interestingly, Emraan plays a customs officer in the series, making the anecdote all the more ironic.
“You feel like you’re carrying contraband”
When asked whether he had ever been stopped by customs officials at airports, Emraan admitted that while officers have generally been polite, the anxiety around immigration checks has always lingered.
He explained that the fear isn’t logical but instinctive. Drawing a relatable analogy, Emraan said that it’s similar to feeling nervous when spotting a traffic officer even if you haven’t broken any rules. According to him, walking through the green channel can make you feel like you’re carrying “100 kilos of contraband” even when your luggage only contains clothes.
Earrings and profiling in the early 2000s
Reflecting on his early travel experiences, Emraan shared that he was frequently stopped at immigration checks in the early 2000s. He suspects his earrings and solo travel may have contributed to the scrutiny.
“I used to get whisked away to the side quite a bit,” he said, adding that it was likely a case of profiling. While he isn’t sure what stereotype he fit into at the time, Emraan joked that he “fit the bill of somebody.”
He noted that things have changed over the years. Now, when he travels with his family, he no longer attracts the same level of suspicion at immigration counters.
About Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web
Emraan Hashmi was last seen in Suparn Varma’s courtroom drama Haq, which was inspired by the life and legal battle of Shah Bano Begum.
Up next, he headlines Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, a crime thriller that dives into the murky world of smuggling and customs enforcement. The series also stars Sharad Kelkar, Zoya Afroz, and Nandish Singh Sandhu. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the show is set to premiere on Netflix on January 14.
