Audience's reaction matters, not critics': Emraan Hashmi

Emraan Hashmi, who shot to fame with his on-screen lip-locks, says he does not bother about the opinion of critics and looks forward to only the audience's reaction.

"I don't pay heed to what critics say. I only look forward to audiences' reaction. The feedback from producers is also something that I value. That's my yardstick," Emraan, 28, told IANS in an interview.

His latest flick "Awarapan", which deals with the issue of flesh trade in Southeast Asia, saw him shedding his "serial kisser" image acquired from films like "Murder", "Zeher" and "Aksar".

"I'm done with my earlier image. I had to move on for my own survival. It would have been very stupid for me to stick to the same thing I was doing. People have been kind enough to love me but it was high time I created a different image."

Emraan, who has often portrayed optimistic, bold youth in his silver screen performances, revealed that he was very pessimistic by nature and that all he can think of before a film's release is that it will flop.

"I'm very pessimistic by nature. The first thing I utter has to be negative," he said. "Whenever there is a screening of my film, I ask has my film flopped? Everybody freaks out at this habit of mine. I have freaked out Mahesh (Bhatt) ji too."

Emraan, who debuted in 2003 with "Footpath" and has acted in 16 movies, added that he never wanted to be an actor and only joined the profession for fame and money.

"I never wanted to be in acting. I joined it only for fame and money. It was a godsend and I grabbed the opportunity."

Indo-Asian News Service