Gunmaaster G9 director Aditya Datt has given leading man Emraan Hashmi an unusual acting reference — the distinctive smoking style of his own maternal grandfather, the late lyricist Anand Bakshi.
In a gesture of remembrance, Datt wove one of the celebrated lyricist's personal quirks into Hashmi's character in the upcoming film. Recalling that Bakshi had a distinctive way of smoking, the director suggested the actor incorporate it into his performance.
A grandfather's influence
Datt has said direction might never have happened for him had it not been for his maternal grandfather. It was Anand Bakshi who recognised and encouraged the young filmmaker's interest in cinema, and the smoking-style detail is Datt's way of carrying that legacy into his work.
"My grandfather used to smoke in a particular way. I told Emraan that he should smoke like that," Datt shared.
What we know about the film
Gunmaaster G9 is an action-romance starring Emraan Hashmi as Eshwar, an ordinary dairy farm owner who goes to any lengths for his beloved, with Genelia Deshmukh as his wife Aarti and Aparshakti Khurana in a key role. Newcomer Abhishek Singh is also part of the principal cast.
The teaser, unveiled in August, opens on a revolver barrel and frames the love story inside a volatile, gun-heavy world of close combat and armed police. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.
A two-decade reunion
The film marks a reunion between Hashmi, Datt and music composer Himesh Reshammiya nearly two decades after their collaboration on Aashiq Banaya Aapne in 2005. Reshammiya is composing the film's music, with the first single "Afsaana Banaaya Aapne" released on September 23.
Sources: Mid-Day, Kalinga TV / ANI
In a gesture of remembrance, Datt wove one of the celebrated lyricist's personal quirks into Hashmi's character in the upcoming film. Recalling that Bakshi had a distinctive way of smoking, the director suggested the actor incorporate it into his performance.
A grandfather's influence
Datt has said direction might never have happened for him had it not been for his maternal grandfather. It was Anand Bakshi who recognised and encouraged the young filmmaker's interest in cinema, and the smoking-style detail is Datt's way of carrying that legacy into his work.
"My grandfather used to smoke in a particular way. I told Emraan that he should smoke like that," Datt shared.
What we know about the film
Gunmaaster G9 is an action-romance starring Emraan Hashmi as Eshwar, an ordinary dairy farm owner who goes to any lengths for his beloved, with Genelia Deshmukh as his wife Aarti and Aparshakti Khurana in a key role. Newcomer Abhishek Singh is also part of the principal cast.
The teaser, unveiled in August, opens on a revolver barrel and frames the love story inside a volatile, gun-heavy world of close combat and armed police. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.
A two-decade reunion
The film marks a reunion between Hashmi, Datt and music composer Himesh Reshammiya nearly two decades after their collaboration on Aashiq Banaya Aapne in 2005. Reshammiya is composing the film's music, with the first single "Afsaana Banaaya Aapne" released on September 23.
Sources: Mid-Day, Kalinga TV / ANI
