Sharib Hashmi reveals how 'The Family Man' changed his career: 'Maybe it was written in my destiny'

Sharib Hashmi started his acting career with 'Filmistaan'. The film didn’t do great at the box office, but over time it earned a loyal cult following. Later, he acted alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Yash Chopra’s last film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

However, his real breakthrough came with Raj & DK’s The Family Man. The show brought him huge appreciation, and his on-screen chemistry with Manoj Bajpayee connected instantly with the audience. It also changed the way the industry looked at him, giving him the respect and recognition he had long deserved.

In an interview with News18 Showsha, Sharib says, “The biggest change that I witnessed in my career post 'The Family Man' is the power to choose. Prior to that, I did anything and everything that I was getting. After Filmistaan, I wanted to do something exceptional. I began working on some good films but they got shelved. Maybe it was written in my destiny. Some projects couldn’t even go on floors. Kuch bandh ke bandh hi hai aur atak gayi hai. Kuch release nahi ho pa rahi hai."

It was around this time that he began to notice a clear change in the way the industry treated him. “Time guzarta gaya. Three years passed by and I didn’t have a release. People started forgetting me. I remember I would go to events. I would pass by other people, par koi puchta bhi nahi tha. People in the film industry anyway have a faint memory," he said.

Sharib shared, “After the series came my way, I finally knew what I should do and what I should say no to. I don’t even mind getting typecast and playing more roles of men in the forces. But the issue is, I didn’t get a role as strong and powerful as JK in the series. Having said that, it translated to a varied range of characters coming my way. Tarla and Vikram Vedha were memorable for me. In Afwaah, Sudhir (Mishra) sir gave me a negative role."

Up next, he will be seen in 'Haiwaan', a thriller featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Talking about his role in the film, Sharib shares that, “Now, I’m playing yet another negative character in Priyadarshan sir’s Haiwaan. I essay a cop with grey shades and it’s poles apart from JK. I’m having a great time shooting for it. I consider myself really lucky to have gotten The Family Man and I’m trying to make the most of the creative power that the show has given me."

And what’s one of the most memorable compliments he received for The Family Man? Sharib says that, “Manoj sir’s daughter was in awe when she saw me. The way she reacted when the door opened and I came in was very sweet. She was very quiet but looking at me with starry eyes. She clicked photos with me. I was so happy. Ava is a lovely child. Manoj sir is also very sweet and he keeps hyping me up. Unki beti bhi unhi ke nakshe-kadam pe chal rahi hai."