On his birthday, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi spoke candidly about his teenage son, Ayaan, who has been making waves in the world of competitive chess, playing in international tournaments. He also addressed recent allegations made by veteran Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh regarding an old interaction between the two.
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Ayaan Hashmi: The Rising Chess Star
Currently shooting for a project in Lucknow, Emraan took a brief hiatus to return to Mumbai and celebrate his birthday with family, friends, and fans. His wife, Parveen, and son, Ayaan, are presently abroad as Ayaan competes in European chess tournaments. The proud father expressed immense support for his son’s journey, highlighting the discipline, resilience, and invaluable life lessons that chess imparts.
“As parents, Parveen and I encourage him not just because he enjoys the sport, but because the victories and defeats in chess serve as invaluable experiences in these formative years,” Emraan shared.
Despite his son’s prowess, Emraan himself admits to being a novice at the game. “Ayaan has promised to teach me, but I’ve yet to find the time. Right now, he’s way ahead, and I don’t stand a chance,” he joked, crediting his wife for nurturing their son’s talent and accompanying him to tournaments worldwide.
Emraan Hashmi Opens Up About His Son’s Chess Journey and Responds to Javed Sheikh’s Claims
A Sport-Loving Family
Although Emraan does not share his son’s enthusiasm for chess, he has always been an avid sports enthusiast. He played cricket and badminton during his school years and later developed a keen interest in snooker. Recalling his college days, he said, “I used to play snooker for almost six hours a day. When pool gained popularity in India in the late 1990s, it was easy for snooker players like me to dominate pool parlours and win bets. However, I was never as competitive as my son is today; I played purely for enjoyment.”
Evolving as an Actor
Emraan, known for his distinctive on-screen persona, revealed that while he does not make New Year’s resolutions, he remains driven to challenge himself professionally. “I still possess the same curiosity that I had in 2003. I deliberately take on roles that scare me because that fear pushes me to grow as an actor.”
Reflecting on Bollywood’s evolution, he noted that the early 2000s lacked experimental storytelling, limiting actors to repetitive roles. However, the advent of streaming platforms has introduced a wave of young filmmakers bringing fresh, character-driven narratives. “The Hindi film industry may not be in its best phase, but many new filmmakers are pushing creative boundaries, which excites me as an actor.”
Upcoming Projects
Emraan is set to appear in Ground Zero, produced by Excel Entertainment, slated for release on 25th April. The film, inspired by one of the Border Security Force’s most significant operations in 50 years, left a strong impression on him. “The script left me in awe. It is a chapter of our national security history that many are unaware of.”
He is also making his debut in South Indian cinema with the Telugu gangster thriller OG, starring alongside Pawan Kalyan. Additionally, he has joined Adivi Sesh’s spy franchise with a sequel to the 2018 Telugu hit Goodachari. Speaking about cross-industry collaborations, he said, “Cinema is an amalgamation of cultures and creative minds. The South Indian film industry has its audience, as do we. The fusion of talent from different industries results in unique cinematic experiences.”
Javed Sheikh Controversy: A ‘Comedy of Errors’
Meanwhile, Emraan responded to claims made by Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh, who alleged that Emraan had been dismissive and rude when they first met at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in South Africa. Sheikh also claimed that during the filming of Jannat, in which he played an underworld don, he and Emraan did not interact at all.
Dismissing the allegations, Emraan described the situation as “bizarre” and suggested that there may have been a miscommunication. “I honestly do not recall our first meeting as it was so long ago, but I do remember that we were always on cordial terms. He is significantly older than me, so we were never friends, but I don’t recall ever being dismissive.”
He added, “I have no idea what Javed sahab took back from our interaction, but it is something he has held onto for 16-17 years. To me, it is a giant comedy of errors that has inexplicably snowballed into this situation.”
Chess in India: A Rapidly Growing Sport
Ayaan Hashmi’s journey reflects the broader trend of India’s rising presence in the global chess scene. The country has produced world-class players such as five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand and the young prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. With increasing participation in international tournaments, India is fast becoming a dominant force in the chess world.
As Ayaan continues to compete on global platforms, his success could serve as an inspiration for aspiring young chess players across the nation.