Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has fondly recalled the warm welcome he received in Pakistan during the release of his 2007 film Awarapan, saying the love and hospitality in Lahore left a lasting impression on him.
Speaking in a recent interview with Indian media, Hashmi said he travelled to Lahore with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and others for the film’s premiere and was “showered with affection” by fans.
Hashmi said Awarapan was released in Pakistan and the team visited Lahore for its promotion.
“The reception we received there was so heartfelt and amazing. The people were incredibly warm, and the hospitality was fantastic,” he said.
He added that the team stayed in Lahore for two days and had some concerns before arriving, but those fears disappeared once they experienced the welcome.
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“We had a wonderful experience,” he said.
‘They are beautiful people’
When asked whether he had any reservations before visiting Pakistan, Hashmi dismissed the idea.
“There was nothing of the sort; they are beautiful people,” he said.
The actor said the warmth of Pakistani fans and the hospitality shown to him and the team remained truly memorable.
Hashmi also spoke about the strong response his films have received in Pakistan.
“Hindi films have always had a huge craze in Pakistan. People there really love watching Hindi movies,” he said.
He mentioned Jannat as another film that performed well in the country and recalled that its release also drew an enthusiastic response from Pakistani audiences.
When asked about reports of chaos or a stampede-like situation during Jannat, Hashmi said the craze for Hindi films in Pakistan was huge.
Actor continues Awarapan 2 promotions
Hashmi is currently promoting Awarapan 2, the sequel to his 2007 cult hit. Ahead of the release, he shared a nostalgic collage comparing his look as Shivam Pandit in the original film with his appearance in the sequel.
He also thanked fans for keeping the character alive over the years, saying the continued support and growing fan family had been one of the most rewarding parts of his journey.
Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 stars Emraan Hashmi alongside Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on August 14, with fans eagerly waiting for Hashmi’s return as Shivam Pandit after nearly 19 years.
Hashmi remains one of Bollywood’s popular actors, known for films such as Murder, Jannat, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Awarapan, as well as his work in Indian OTT series and the memorable music associated with his films.
