Why Emraan Hashmi Believes Adolescence Would Be ‘Logistically Impossible’ in India

Actor Emraan Hashmi, known for his diverse roles in Bollywood, recently opened up about the challenges of creating a show like Netflix’s hit series Adolescence. While praising the show’s bold storytelling and innovative concept, Emraan emphasized that replicating such a project in India would be a “nightmare” for producers and filmmakers, citing logistical and financial challenges.

Adolescence, created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows a teenager accused of murdering a classmate and dives deep into the complexities of growing up in the age of social media. Since its release in March, the show has become a global sensation, ranking as Netflix’s #1 series worldwide. The show’s success has sparked discussions on how such audacious storytelling could be translated to other cultures, particularly in India, where conservative norms often govern mainstream content creation.

In an interview with News18, Emraan Hashmi discussed how the show’s unique structure — with each of its four episodes filmed in a single continuous take — set it apart from traditional television productions. He praised the series for its raw and honest portrayal of youth in today’s world but also acknowledged the massive challenges involved in making a similar show in India.

“Adolescence has worked mostly because of its subject matter — the pitfalls of growing up in these times and the impact of social media,” Emraan Hashmi stated. “But inherently, it’s such a risky project. It’s just four episodes, each one shot in a single take. The concept of doing this in India is something that would be very difficult to pull off.”

The unique filming style of Adolescence requires meticulous planning and rehearsals. Each episode’s unbroken shot lasts several minutes, testing the endurance and coordination of the actors and crew. The demanding nature of such a production, Emraan explained, would make it challenging to execute in the Indian entertainment industry.

‘Nine Out of Ten Producers Would Ask, Are You Out of Your Mind?’

“If you put that across to a producer here, I would say nine out of ten of them would tell you, ‘Are you out of your mind?’” Emraan Hashmi added with a laugh. “It would be a logistical nightmare. Imagine, 13 minutes into a shot, someone may goof up, and you would have to redo the entire thing. The budget would skyrocket, and you’d need a director who is audacious and mad enough to make a show that way.”

The actor’s comments highlight the difference in creative freedom and production approaches between international projects like Adolescence and the Indian entertainment landscape, which tends to prioritize commercial viability and audience expectations. In India, most shows adhere to traditional formats, where editing and quick-cutting are used to maintain viewer engagement. Experimentation with structure and style, like what is seen in Adolescence, is not common, particularly when the risk of failure could be high.

Adolescence also deals with complex themes of youth, identity, and social pressures, which are often considered taboo subjects in India’s entertainment industry. While shows in the West, especially on streaming platforms, are beginning to embrace these themes, Indian content still struggles with censorship and audience resistance to more daring and socially relevant stories.

Despite these challenges, Emraan Hashmi acknowledged that Adolescence’s success could open doors for more unconventional storytelling in India. The actor has always been a proponent of pushing boundaries, evident in his own diverse career that has spanned thrillers, dramas, and comedies. He believes that the right kind of audacity and vision can bring about a change in the Indian entertainment industry, even if it means taking bold risks.

“There’s a huge audience for content that challenges norms and tells stories that are both real and unfiltered,” Emraan Hashmi said. “It’s just that making something like Adolescence here would require the right mix of vision, creativity, and an understanding of what modern audiences crave.”

Emraan’s comments come at a time when Indian OTT platforms are experimenting with more diverse and engaging content, but still face resistance from traditional media producers who are cautious about deviating from well-established formulas. Nonetheless, the growing success of international shows on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video has started to change the way Indian audiences consume entertainment.

On a related note, Emraan Hashmi is currently in the spotlight for his latest film, Ground Zero, which released on April 25, 2025. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, the film is based on the true story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and his daring operation against terrorist Rana Tahir Nadeem, also known as Ghazi Baba. The film stars Emraan Hashmiin the lead role, alongside Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, and Mukesh Tiwari.