Always follow your dreams, they know the way – Sharib Hashmi
Times of Youth: For those who don’t know about you and your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Sharib Hashmi: I started as an Assistant Director in 1998 with a film called ‘Hum Tumpe Marte Hain’, and then I shifted to writing and worked in various channels like MTV, Channel V, etc. Then I decided to pursue acting in 2008 and so I quit my job. And since then I have acted in Films like Haal e Dil, Slumdog Millionaire, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and played the main lead in the National Award winning film Filmistaan.
Times of Youth: Has your family been supportive of your choice of career?
Sharib Hashmi: Yes, my family was very supportive. Without their support, I would not have been able to achieve whatever I have achieved in my career.
Times of Youth: How do your kids handle your new-found ‘Stardom’?
Sharib Hashmi: My daughter is too small to notice the stardom but yes, my son, who is 7 yrs old, is very excited and happy that his father has become an actor.
Times of Youth: If not this, what else would you have taken up as your 2nd career of choice and why?
Sharib Hashmi: I would have been a musician, as music is my other passion.
Times of Youth: Talking about your current release ‘Badmashiyaan’, do tell us about the movie plot and your character ‘Don Jazzy’.
Sharib Hashmi: I play a Haryanvi Don Jazzy in the film ‘Badmashiyaan’ who is hard from outside and a closet romantic from the inside. I enjoyed playing this character.
Times of Youth: Despite the movie not doing so well at the Box Office, your role was particularly praised by many. In real life, do you relate in any sense to your character ‘Jazzy’? If yes, how?
Sharib Hashmi: No in real, I don’t relate to the character Jazzy.
Times of Youth: You finally managed to bag an award for your role in your National award winning movie, ‘Filmistaan’. How was your experience?
Sharib Hashmi: Yes, I won the Screen Award for the Best Actor in a Comic Role. And it was a great feeling. ‘Filmistaan’ is my proudest work so far and whatever I am is because of ‘Filmistaan’.
Times of Youth: What are your upcoming projects that we should watch out for?
Sharib Hashmi: I’m doing a dark thriller which is not yet titled, and an out a comedy called ‘Adaab Dawood Ibrahim Bol Raha Hoon’. And there’s ‘Ramsingh Charlie’, of which I’m the co-producer and co-writer.
Times of Youth: Tell us about your proudest achievement so far.
Sharib Hashmi: My movie ‘Filmistaan’ and a short film ‘Mehrooni’ which I did some time ago.
Times of Youth: What do you believe are your key strengths as an entertainment fraternity person?
Sharib Hashmi: This should be answered by others not me.
Times of Youth: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as an artist?
Sharib Hashmi: I can’t judge myself.
Times of Youth: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? What was your first reaction and how did you cope.
Sharib Hashmi: It hasn’t happened yet apart from a few reviews of ‘Badmashiyaan’ where they criticized my work. And I take criticism very sportingly. It only helps you to work harder.
Times of Youth: Tell us one incident that you experienced as an actor which changed your life/perspective.
Sharib Hashmi: Nothing as such has happened so far.
Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?
Sharib Hashmi: No special question particularly.
Times of Youth: What is the first word that comes to your mind when you read the following-
- Parents: Respect
- Work: Passion
- Youth: Energy
- Nation: Pride
- Life: Journey
- Love: Life
Times of Youth: In this fast-paced world, with all the craziness and workloads, how do you de-stress?
Sharib Hashmi: I resort to music, movies, TV, and reading to de-stress.
Times of Youth: What are your goals for the next five years?
Sharib Hashmi: I don’t plan my life.
Times of Youth: Are there any dreams that you hold very dear to your heart, which you’d like to conquer before the end of your time? Please share with us.
Sharib Hashmi: I dream of winning a National Award one day.
Times of Youth: Using your amazing skills, how do you plan to bring a rational & practical change in the world?
Sharib Hashmi: It’s too big a thing for me. Whatever I can do, I will do it with my work and honesty.
Times of Youth: Any message to your followers via Times of Youth?
Sharib Hashmi: Always follow your dreams, they know the way.
Times of Youth: Do tell us how fans and followers can contact you to share their appreciation/feedback/suggestions.
Sharib Hashmi: They can contact on my social networking handles on Twitter @sharibhashmi Instagram @sharibfilmistaani on FB Sharib Hashmi. They can email me on shaarib@gmail.com
