Actor Emraan Hashmi opened up about his past experiences with airport immigration checks during the trailer launch event of his upcoming web series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web in Mumbai on January 8, 2026. The actor, who plays a customs officer in the Neeraj Pandey-created series, shared that he was frequently stopped and pulled aside for questioning in the early 2000s, attributing it to what he described as profiling. He humorously noted that his earrings might have contributed to him “fitting the bill of somebody,” though he was unsure exactly who that profile represented.

Reflecting on the anxiety that often accompanies airport security, Emraan compared it to the nervousness drivers feel when spotting a traffic officer, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. “Even though I’ve packed only clothes, you still feel like you’re carrying 100 kilos of contraband in your bag while walking through the green channel,” he said. He added that customs officials have generally been kind to him during recent travels, especially when accompanied by his family. “But earlier, when I used to travel alone, I used to get whisked away to the side quite a bit,” he recalled.

The actor’s candid remarks came in response to a question about whether he had ever been stopped at the green channel. He emphasized that the fear is illogical yet instinctive, highlighting how certain appearances or traits can lead to heightened scrutiny at immigration counters. Emraan’s personal anecdotes resonated with the theme of his new project, which delves into the world of customs officers and the intricate web of smuggling operations.

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Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, also starring Sharad Kelkar, Zoya Afroz, and Nandish Singh Sandhu, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 14, 2026. The series explores the challenges faced by customs officials in combating smuggling syndicates. Emraan’s last on-screen appearance was in the courtroom drama Haq, directed by Suparn Varma and inspired by the landmark 1985 Shah Bano Begum case that established maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women in India.

Emraan Hashmi’s revelation about being profiled at airports adds a relatable, human dimension to the actor known for his intense screen presence. His comments have sparked discussions on social media about profiling, travel anxiety, and the realities of international security checks. As he prepares for the release of Taskaree, the actor’s personal story has become an intriguing parallel to the high-stakes customs world he portrays on screen.

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