Emraan Hashmi Recalls Being ‘Whisked’ To The Side Often During Immigration Checks; Shares, “You Feel Like You’re Carrying 100 Kgs Of Contraband”

Bollywood’s versatile star Emraan Hashmi shared a hilarious yet revealing personal travel anecdote that had everyone laughing and thinking. At the trailer launch of his much-anticipated Netflix series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web in Mumbai on Wednesday. Known for intense performances and his evolution as an actor, Emraan spoke candidly about his early experiences with airport immigration checks, something he now finds ironic given his on-screen role as a no-nonsense Customs officer in the new series.

Emraan Hashmi Recalls Stressful Immigration Checks

While promoting Taskaree alongside director Neeraj Pandey and co-stars like Sharad Kelkar and Emraan Haashmi, the actor was asked if he had ever been stopped or questioned by customs officials. With his trademark wit, he replied that although customs officials have generally been polite, there’s always a sense of irrational anxiety associated with travel. “It’s like when you learn how to drive, but when you see an RTO officer on the road, you suddenly get anxious. Even if I’ve packed only clothes, you feel like you’re carrying 100 kilos of contraband in your bag while walking through the green channel,” he joked.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

Taking the story further, the Hamari Adhoori Kahani actor revealed that immigration officials frequently pulled him aside in the early 2000s whenever he travelled alone. With a mischievous grin, he shared, “I have been called out at immigration checks very early on, probably because of earrings or stuff… Back then, they used to whisk me away to the side quite a bit. That is called profiling. I fit the bill of somebody, but I don’t know who that person was.” Through this candid recollection, Emraan highlighted how those experiences felt both amusing and confusing to him as a young traveller.

Emraan Hashmi Shares Ironic Anecdote

Emraan Hashmi also noted that things changed once he began travelling with his family. “Now, when they see me with my sweet family, they don’t suspect me,” he said with a smile.

Fans got a taste of Emraan’s playful side during the event, but the discussion also underscored how even celebrities aren’t immune to the quirks and sometimes discomfort of travel routines. His personal account added a relatable layer to the Taskaree promotions, connecting his real-life travel experiences to the customs and profiling explored by the show.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

With Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web set to premiere on January 14 on Netflix, Emraan’s candid stories, sharp humour, and honest reflections only add to the anticipation for what promises to be a gripping thriller rooted in the high-stakes world of smuggling, surveillance, and the men and women tasked with stopping it.

About Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web

Packed with tension and sharp wit, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web dives deep into the rarely explored world of customs enforcement. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the Netflix thriller spans global smuggling routes across Al-Dera, Addis Ababa, Milan and Bangkok. The story centres on a specialised customs task force at Mumbai International Airport led by Arjun Meena (Emraan Hashmi), alongside Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu and Anurag Sinha. Standing against them is Sharad Kelkar’s formidable smuggling kingpin, Bada Chaudhary. The series promises a grounded, intelligent take on heroism, driven by strategy, discipline and quiet courage.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: Emraan Hashmi Jokes About Romance In Taskaree; Says, “Mai Hu Aur Love Story Nahi Hai Aisa Kabhi Nahi Ho Sakta”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.