Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi recently ignited a significant debate within the industry, calling out the 'woke brigade' and 'insecure men' during an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha. Hashmi delved into the commercial success of films like Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal', stating that despite facing backlash from a 'woke culture' on social media, such movies thrive because a large male audience identifies with the hypermasculine characters. He emphasized that audiences are actively buying tickets for these portrayals, reflecting a prevailing cinematic preference in India. Hashmi did not mince words when discussing the reluctance of many male actors to embrace diverse and challenging roles. He claimed that 'men in our industry are very insecure' and questioned how many would be willing to star in a film like 'Haq', his recent project based on the landmark Shah Bano case. He also referenced his critically acclaimed 2011 film 'The Dirty Picture' as an example of a story that defied conventional male-centric narratives. The actor urged his peers to overcome their apprehensions and engage in more substantive storytelling, rather than adhering solely to established tropes of heroic male leads. While acknowledging the current box office pull of hypermasculine films, Hashmi expressed optimism that the industry's narratives would evolve, particularly with the growing influence of streaming platforms. His film 'Haq', where he portrays a complex character involved in the Shah Bano case, has recently gained renewed attention following its premiere on an OTT platform. The movie, which also stars Yami Gautam, has been lauded by industry figures like Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar for its compelling and relevant subject matter.