Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi brought laughter and nostalgia to a packed multiplex in Pune during the grand trailer launch of his upcoming action-drama Gunmaaster G9. Addressing the media and fans on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the actor playfully pinned the responsibility for his famous early-2000s "serial kisser" image squarely on filmmaker Aditya Datt. Standing beside his director, Hashmi joked that he has been enduring the lighthearted consequences of that tag for over two decades, sparking rounds of applause and chuckles across the venue.

The trailer launch brought together the entire creative team of Gunmaaster G9, including leading lady Genelia Deshmukh, co-stars Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Singh, director Aditya Datt, and producers Deepak Mukut, Sangeeta Ahir, and Hunar Mukut. While the preview introduced audiences to a gritty, high-octane world of action, romance, and vengeance, Hashmi’s candid humor during the media interaction quickly became the talking point of the afternoon across Mumbai, Pune, and entertainment circles nationwide.

When Parents Sent Kids to Bed: Hashmi Recalls Early-2000s Bollywood Fame

Reflecting on the formative years of his career when romantic thrillers and bold musical dramas defined his box-office persona, Emraan Hashmi poked fun at how his films were viewed in Indian households. With deadpan timing, the actor remarked that his early movies were the exact kind of titles that prompted parents to immediately send their children to bed whenever they aired on television.

Pointing directly toward filmmaker Aditya Datt on stage, Hashmi added, "This is all because of Aditya Datt. I have been suffering the consequences for the last 20 years." The remark referenced their landmark 2005 romantic thriller Aashiq Banaya Aapne, which became a cultural phenomenon for its chart-topping soundtrack and bold storytelling, cementing Hashmi’s reputation as Bollywood’s quintessential romantic rebel. Over the past decade, Hashmi has steadily reinvented his filmography with acclaimed dramatic and action roles in projects such as Shanghai, Tiger 3, and Awarapan 2, yet his good-humored acknowledgment of his iconic past resonated warmly with long-time admirers.

A 21-Year Reunion: The ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne’ Trio Returns to the Big Screen

Beyond the lighthearted banter, Gunmaaster G9 marks a major creative reunion in Hindi cinema. Nearly 21 years after Aashiq Banaya Aapne swept music charts across the country, Emraan Hashmi, director Aditya Datt, and composer Himesh Reshammiya have joined forces once again. Speaking about why it took more than two decades for the trio to collaborate on a feature film, Hashmi explained that they were determined not to rush into a project merely for the sake of nostalgia.

"When we wanted to work together again, we discussed a lot of stories over the years," Hashmi shared during the Pune event. "However, we were very clear that whenever we came together for a film, it had to be a genuine celebration of cinema—something that we, as movie fans ourselves, would be excited to buy a ticket for and watch in a theater." He emphasized that Gunmaaster G9 was conceived specifically as a theatrical entertainer designed to immerse audiences in a larger-than-life cinematic experience.

Real Locations Over Green Screens: Inside the Making of Gunmaaster G9

In the trailer of Gunmaaster G9, Emraan Hashmi steps into an intense, action-heavy avatar, portraying Eshwar—a seemingly ordinary man whose peaceful life is shattered when a ruthless syndicate threatens his loved ones, forcing him to confront a violent past. Genelia Deshmukh brings emotional warmth to the narrative as Aarti, while Aparshakti Khurana surprises viewers in a menacing, unpredictable antagonist role.

Highlighting the technical craft behind the film, Hashmi noted that the makers prioritized authenticity over studio shortcuts. "A lot of modern films rely heavily on green screens," the actor explained. "We stepped out and shot extensively at real locations, despite the technical and logistical challenges involved. Capturing that raw texture in real environments makes a noticeable difference on the big screen, and the local communities where we filmed were tremendously supportive."

Theatrical Release Date and Box Office Outlook

Presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and produced under the banner of SRE Studios LLP, Gunmaaster G9 features music by Himesh Reshammiya, whose tracks—including the recently released song "Dard-E-Dil Dard-E-Jigar"—have already begun gaining traction on streaming platforms. PEN Marudhar is handling the all-India theatrical distribution, while Phars Films will oversee international markets.

Gunmaaster G9 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on Friday, November 27, 2026. With Emraan Hashmi riding high on recent box-office momentum and reuniting with the creative architects of one of his most memorable musical hits, trade analysts and fans alike are eagerly watching how this mass-market action-romance performs when it hits cinemas later this month.