India, Jan. 16 -- For a long time, Emraan Hashmi was boxed in the serial kisser image. Even as the actor tried diverse roles with films like Jannat, Kalyug, and Shanghai, the image refused to let go. In an interaction with Hindustan Times, the actor reflected on his career and how he managed to break the mould.

After years of playing the errant loverboy, Emraan broke the mould with a series of films in the 2010s. The actor says it was not one film that did the trick. "There's not one (role), it's never one. It's always a journey." He mentions films like Shanghai and Tigers that helped him change his image. "In a way, Jannat broke the mould, as did Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. So yes, it was a whole bunch of films."

Emraan recalls that c...