Sharib Hashmi, now a celebrated actor, reflects on a time before the hit series The Family Man, when recognition was scarce and opportunities had dried up. In an exclusive interview, Hashmi openly discussed the impact of the web series on his career, acknowledging that it pulled him "out of a lull when Bollywood had forgotten him".
Hashmi's journey in the film industry began with roles in movies like Filmistaan and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. However, the years following these initial successes didn't unfold as he had hoped. Despite his early work, Hashmi found himself in a challenging phase where films were shelved, and he felt largely unnoticed by the industry. "People started forgetting me," Hashmi confessed, recalling how he would attend events and "when [he] crossed, nobody even asked" about him.
The advent of OTT platforms proved to be a turning point. The Family Man, created by Raj & DK, not only revived his career but also made him a household name. His portrayal of JK Talpade, the trusted confidant and colleague of Manoj Bajpayee's character Srikant Tiwari, resonated strongly with audiences. The on-screen chemistry between Hashmi and Bajpayee was particularly appreciated, solidifying Hashmi's place in the hearts of viewers.
Looking back, Hashmi recognizes the pivotal role The Family Man played in his career. After the audition of The Family Man, Hashmi had the intuition that his life would change. "It has the potential to change things for me and I was right," he stated. The success of the series and its subsequent seasons gave a significant boost to his career, opening doors to new and diverse opportunities.
While grateful for the success he has achieved, Sharib remains ambitious and eager to explore a wide range of characters. "But I aspire for more; I believe I have merely scratched the surface of what I set out to achieve," he said. He expresses a desire to be part of compelling scripts and portray remarkable roles, whether positive, negative, or anything in between.
The actor is currently enjoying a rewarding phase, with The Family Man season 3 premiering on November 21. The new season introduces Jaideep Ahlawat as the antagonist, alongside Nimrat Kaur, and welcomes back familiar faces like Priyamani and Shreya Dhanwanthary. Hashmi himself is eager to return to the sets and reprise his role as JK Talpade. "I can't wait to go back on the sets as JK because I am missing my character now," he shared, also expressing that he is "really missing Manoj (Bajpayee) sir".
