#MeToo Requires a Process: ‘Why Cheat India’ Actor Emraan Hashmi

I should have quit in class five to become an actor, he says.

Emraan Hashmi and Shreya Dhanwanthary will be seen in Why Cheat India.

(Photo: The Quint)

Emraan Hashmi is back on screen after 2017’s Baadshaaho, but this time in the capacity of a producer as well with Why Cheat India. It seems like new territory for Emraan and he said, “The first 10-12 years were playing to a certain star image for the audience. But then I realised that I need to play different characters for a new experience for me as an actor, a new experience as an audience and things don’t change overnight, there is a gradual fade out to things, fade in of things.”

He now wants to back quality content that he truly believes in and in the capacity of a producer, he can control the material.

The film also sees the debut of Shreya Dhantanawarthy who has appeared in one Telugu film and a couple of web series. It’s been a long ride for the engineer turned actor. Speaking about the difficulties she faced she said, “I didn’t think that was an option available (becoming an actor) to people with normal families who are not related to the business. I thought it was a family business and it mostly is because it’s really hard to get into this.” But the journey has taught her a lot, and eventually it was all worth it she said.

The director of the film, Soumik Sen, was accused by a few women last year of sexual harassment when the #MeToo wave hit India. His name however is still seen in the promotional campaign. When asked about the same Emraan said, “There were a couple of allegations against the director on social media and our director himself has excused himself from the promotions of the film. He put up a tweet saying that if I have unintentionally hurt anyone, I’m taking onus for it and I’m backing out from the promotions. It’s a bit of a grey zone right now, because it’s trial by social media, there is no due process.”

But what Emraan has done is set up a committee in his production house that creates guidelines to make people safe, and that according to him is a good start.

Why Cheat India stars Emraan Hashmi and Shreya Dhantanawarthy and releases on 18 January 2019.

Camera: Sanjoy Deb
Assistant camera: Gautam Sharma
Editor: Veeru Krishan Mohan