Emraan Hashmi Completely Different On and Off Screen, Says Taskaree Co-Star Zoya Afroz

Actor Zoya Afroz, who plays a key role in Taskaree: The Smugglers Web, has opened up about her experience working alongside Emraan Hashmi, admitting that her perception of the actor changed completely once she met him in person. The crime drama, created by Neeraj Pandey, recently premiered on Netflix and has drawn attention for its realistic portrayal of India’s customs and intelligence operations.

Speaking about her co-star, Zoya said she walked into the project with preconceived notions shaped by Emraan Hashmi’s long-established on-screen image. Known for his intense roles and charismatic screen presence, Hashmi had, according to her, created an impression that did not match his real-life personality.

Zoya revealed that she was initially nervous about meeting him. “You naturally form ideas based on someone’s body of work. His on-screen persona is very strong, intense, and charming. I honestly thought he would be similar off camera too,” she shared. “But when I actually met him, I realised how different he is. He’s extremely polite, calm, and a complete gentleman. It really surprised me in the best way.”

She added that the contrast between Emraan’s reel and real personalities stood out during their interactions on set. While the actor brings authority and sharpness to his character in Taskaree, off screen he was warm, approachable, and professional, making the work environment comfortable for everyone involved.

The actor also spoke at length about her own journey with the series, calling her role pivotal to several narrative turns in the show. Without revealing plot details, she said her character carries emotional and story weight that gradually unfolds, especially towards the latter half of the series. For Zoya, Taskaree marked an important phase in her career, offering her a layered role rather than a decorative presence.

Reflecting on her long association with cinema, Zoya also revisited her early days as a child artist in the iconic family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain. Though she was only three years old at the time, she recalled being “extremely pampered” on set and remembers senior actors guiding her patiently through scenes. The memories, she said, largely come from stories shared by her mother and from revisiting old photographs.

Interestingly, during the conversation, Emraan Hashmi himself joked about how out of place he would be in a traditional family film, triggering laughter on set. The light moment further highlighted the actor’s self-awareness and ease off camera.

Zoya credited Neeraj Pandey for maintaining an exceptionally professional atmosphere on set. She described his production environment as meticulously planned, calm, and free of unnecessary chaos. According to her, the discipline behind the scenes allowed actors to focus entirely on performance.

She also revealed that she isn’t at a stage in her career where she actively chooses projects, but being repeatedly cast by a filmmaker of Pandey’s stature gives her confidence and validation. Taskaree, she said, reaffirmed her belief in content-driven storytelling and meaningful female characters.

Also featuring Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Sandhu, and Anurag Sinha, Taskaree: The Smugglers Web continues to gain traction on Netflix, with performances and writing emerging as major talking points.