Emraan Hashmi Expresses Regret and Apologises for Calling Aishwarya Rai 'Plastic'

Actor Emraan Hashmi has publicly expressed regret and offered an apology for a controversial remark he made about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan more than a decade ago. During a 2014 appearance on the talk show Koffee with Karan, Hashmi had associated the word "plastic" with Aishwarya during the show's signature rapid-fire round. The comment triggered significant backlash from fans and members of the film industry at the time.

Addressing the controversy years later in 2025, the 47-year-old actor reflected on his past statement while promoting his OTT series Showtime in an interview with Lallantop. Hashmi acknowledged that his comment was distasteful and stated that his intentions were confined to the competitive nature of the television show.

Reflections on the Rapid-Fire Controversy

When asked during the interview if he regretted his comment about Aishwarya, Hashmi confirmed his regret, noting how public sensitivity and the media landscape have evolved over the years. He explained that the remark was made in jest as part of a game where he was focused on winning the show's rapid-fire hamper.

"I regret it. I keep saying that I have the utmost respect for everyone I spoke about. I regret it because it was distasteful," Hashmi said. "Lately, people have become very sensitive. They get mad at everything on social media. In terms of the show, we were playing a game, it was all in jest. It was supposed to be taken sportingly. There are many such games in the show. Earlier, people weren't this sensitive."

Hashmi also pointed out that the changing environment has altered how celebrities participate in such talk shows. He referenced a comment from host Karan Johar regarding the latest season of the show in 2025, noting that the rapid-fire round had become less candid because guests can no longer give such blunt answers. Hashmi reiterated that his 2014 response was simply a spontaneous reaction driven by his desire to win the game.

Admiration for Aishwarya Rai and Hopes for a Personal Apology

Despite his past comment, Hashmi revealed that he has long been an admirer of Aishwarya. He recalled an early anecdote from his career when he waited for hours just to see the actress after the release of her film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

"I was a huge fan. Mohit and I were shooting in Filmistan; I told him, 'You cannot go anywhere.' So we waited together. I still am a big fan of hers," Hashmi shared. He added that he hopes to meet her in person to extend a direct apology if his past remarks caused her distress, stating, "I would love to meet her and apologise if she felt bad about it. I will have to meet her and ask her. I am sorry if I offended you."

The Aftermath and Behind-the-Scenes Reactions

In a separate interview with Bollywood Bubble in 2024, Hashmi spoke about the immediate aftermath of the episode and how he had to bear the brunt of his candid answers for a long time. He recalled the exact moment the comment was made on set and how the production crew reacted.

"Talking about Koffee With Karan, well I had to bear the brunt for it for quite some time for really calling a spade a spade," Hashmi recalled. "You know what, when that rapid-fire round happened, Karan had cut the shot, and he just looked around on the set and everyone was dumbfounded. He asked ‘Can you actually keep this?’ And a couple of people behind the camera said ‘Yes’."

While Aishwarya never directly responded to Hashmi's specific remark, she appeared to reference the sentiment in a 2019 interview with Filmfare. When asked about the harshest comment she had ever received, she stated that being called "fake and plastic" was the worst.

Currently, Hashmi is experiencing box office success with his latest theatrical release, Awarapan 2. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the film serves as a sequel to the 2007 movie Awarapan and also stars Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi, and Suvinder Vicky in prominent roles.