Yes Emraan Hashmi is much Underrated as an actor, gets less recognised than Ayushman Khurana, Rajkummar Rao
The following reasons why he is underrated:
1. Actor vs another actor Clash
During particular time period While Sunny Deol and Suniel Shetty were rivals in action films
and the three Khans dominated mainstream Bollywood,
Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan competes with each other in terms of 2 multiple film release per year, family oriented movies, versatile films
Emraan Hashmi carved out his own space. Between the Khan Era and the rise of young stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, and Raveer Singh, vicky kaushal
he stood almost unmatchable in the romantic thriller genre after Sharukh Khan.
Emraan Hashmi fills the gap between Khan and Kapoor League Young Generation Stars. So there was no actor at that time who clash with Emraan Hashmi.
2. Not doing high Budget film, receiving less box office collection & less recognision
Recently, new-generation actors like Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor have balanced romantic roles with high-budget action films like Dhurandhar (Estimated budget Rs 250–255 CR & box office collection 895 CR) and Animal (2023) (Estimated Budget Rs 565 CR and received Rs 917 CR box office collection)
Most of the Emraan’s films are below 100 crore budget, and receives Decent box office collection which leds to less publicity. Less Hype.
In contrast, Emraan Hashmi built his stardom primarily through romantic films, creating a niche that few actors have matched.
Imagine if Salman Khan and Ranveer Singh doing Jannat movie, Awarapan Movie and doing romance scene
In Romantic Song
A scene from Jannat movie song, Zara sa
I can't even imagine such scene any other actors pulling off these romantic roles as well as Emraan Hashmi.
His iconic dialogue from Jannat Movie
Joh aadmi limit mein rehta hai ... woh zindagi bhar limit mein hi reh jaata hai
(A man who stays within limit ... in life, he always remains within limit)
His ruthless walking style, Don, relaxed, and confident stride defined by a slight shoulder lean, casual swagger, and steady gaze ,what to say
I believe no actor can match his swag, Except Sharukh Khan, Emraan Hashmi is in different League, can't comparable with New Generation Actor.
3. Serial kisser tag
He was typecast for years During the 2000s, he became known as the "serial kisser" because of his frequent romantical kiss in every movie, Some times Adult movie A-Rated (somewhat Sex related, especially Murder film series)
So most family audience do not watch such Film, viewership is restricted to Elder people above 50 age and Teenage Children below 18 Age).
This image often overshadowed his acting ability, and many people focused more on his screen image than his performances.
4. Strong performances didn't always get equal recognition
Films like Shanghai, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, and Tiger 3 showed he could handle serious and complex roles.
Critics often praised these performances, but he was rarely discussed alongside the biggest Bollywood stars.
5. Despite several successful films and acclaimed performances,
He has won fewer major acting awards than many contemporaries, limited award recognision.
6. Box-office success is often forgotten, Movie such as Murder, Awarapan, Jannat, and The Dirty Picture helped him to establish as a bankable lead actor, yet is he is rarely mentioned in discussion about major Bollywood stars of his era.
7. His Controversy, party functions, award shows or celeberity gathering he rarely attended in any Bollywood celebrities function which leds to less publicity.
Unlike many Bollywood celebrities, Emraan Hashmi has largely stayed away from controversies .
He is low profile lifestyle has kept in away from unnecessary media attention, allowing his work to speak louder than his public appearances
Despite star kid, he is much underrated in Nepotism Era, Like Vivek Oberoi.
Many of people do not aware that he is a nephew of film director Mahesh Dutt and Cousin of Alia Bhatt.
⭐Conclusion
Today Emraan Hashmi is getting praised for his matured roles, villain and Anti-hero roles, however his songs and kissing scene is unmatchable in 90s period, his swag, walking style, his collaboration with music artist with K.K menon and Himesh Reshammiya creates a fan base to Youth (Age 20–40 People).
Example song:- Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, Tu hi Meri Shab hai, Zara Sa
He has delivered multiple commercial hits, because of multi starrer movie, He has been a leading actor for over two decades
Today many people are saying There are many more actors who are underrated and tagging them like Manoj Bajpai, Ayushman Khurana, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi,
But many of us still forgot, this man is ruling from 2003 till 2026. Highly underrated and underappreciated.
Those appreciation fan support, publicity which Ayushman Khurana, Rajkummar Rao as a outsider gets, Today Emraan Hashmi also deserve equally support.