Why Emraan Hashmi Isn’t Bothered by His Viral Cameo in The Ba**ds of Bollywood

Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi recently opened up about the unexpected virality of his cameo in The Ba**ds of Bollywood, a satirical Netflix series directed by Aryan Khan and packed with appearances by industry icons. The scene in which Hashmi plays an intimacy coach who encounters an over-the-top fan, portrayed by Raghav Juyal, has taken social media by storm. However, the actor has remained unfazed by the buzz surrounding it.

In a candid conversation with Galatta India, Hashmi said that although the clip went “crazy viral,” he didn’t let it dictate his outlook on fame or opportunity. “Nothing has changed for me,” the actor stated, adding that he still views virality as a fleeting phenomenon rather than a marker of success. He laughed off the idea that the two-day shoot for the cameo should drastically change his career trajectory.

Emraan Hashmi explained he doesn’t “mull over” viral moments, instead prioritizing roles that resonate with him personally and creatively. His grounded attitude reflects years of experience navigating Bollywood’s spotlight giving weight to his craft rather than internet trends.

The now-widely shared moment from The Ba**ds of Bollywood* shows Hashmi’s character walking into a situation where Raghav Juyal’s fanboy bursts into song and exaggerated praise most memorably delivering the line, “Akkha Bollywood ek taraf aur Emraan Hashmi ek taraf” which quickly became a favourite among fans online.

Multiple media reports also note that Hashmi didn’t expect the clip to spread so widely and was on a social-media detox when it began trending, which initially left him unaware of the massive online reaction. While some sources say creators anticipated strong buzz, Hashmi has clarified that even with a sense of the scene’s potential, the level of virality still surprised him - “we didn’t know it would blow up like this.” This honest take highlights the unpredictable nature of internet culture, even for seasoned artists.

His co-star Raghav Juyal, known for his comedic and dynamic performance in the scene, has also spoken about the reaction, admitting that both he and director Aryan Khan expected a strong response, but were stunned by the scale.

Fans reacted strongly because the cameo stirred nostalgia for Hashmi’s early-2000s Bollywood era invoking memories of his chart-topping songs and charismatic screen presence. This nostalgic appeal helped fuel social media engagement and brought renewed attention to his body of work.

Despite the online frenzy, Hashmi remains clear-headed: his selection of scripts and characters continues to be based on personal fulfilment and artistic challenge rather than viral metrics. He believes staying detached from momentary hype helps him stay focused on quality work rather than fleeting popularity.

Beyond the The Ba**ds of Bollywood* Hashmi is gearing up for upcoming projects, including the Netflix web series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, where he plays a customs officer in a gritty narrative. This role signals a shift from his cameo’s levity to a more intense, character-driven performance, highlighting his versatility as an actor.