Emraan Hashmi and Alia Bhatt have built distinctly different identities in Hindi cinema, but the two actors share a family connection that often surprises fans.
The actors are related through their fathers, Emraan’s father Anwar Hashmi and Alia’s father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Their connection goes back several generations to veteran actress Purnima and her sister Shirin Mohammad Ali.
Although they have pursued independent careers and rarely discuss their extended family connection in the spotlight, their shared ancestry makes them part of the same wider film-industry family.
How Are Emraan Hashmi and Alia Bhatt Related?
The family tree begins with actress Purnima, whose birth name was Meherbano Mohammad Ali.
Purnima was a prominent actress during the 1940s and continued to be remembered for her work in Hindi cinema. Among her later appearances was the iconic Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Zanjeer.
Purnima was the sister of Shirin Mohammad Ali.
Shirin was the mother of filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt. Mahesh Bhatt is the father of Alia Bhatt.
Meanwhile, Purnima, also known as Meherbano Mohammad Ali, married Syed Shaukat Hashmi. The couple had a son, Anwar Hashmi.
Anwar Hashmi is Emraan Hashmi’s father.
That makes Anwar Hashmi and Mahesh Bhatt first cousins. Consequently, their children, Emraan Hashmi and Alia Bhatt, are second cousins.
The Family Connection at a Glance
- Purnima (Meherbano Mohammad Ali) and Shirin Mohammad Ali were sisters.
- Shirin was the mother of Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt.
- Purnima was the mother of Anwar Hashmi.
- Mahesh Bhatt is Alia Bhatt’s father.
- Anwar Hashmi is Emraan Hashmi’s father.
- Therefore, Alia Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi are second cousins.
The connection is through their fathers’ side of the family.
Both Actors Built Careers of Their Own
Despite their shared family background, Alia Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi have established separate careers in Hindi cinema.
Emraan became particularly known for films such as Murder, Gangster, Jannat, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Awarapan. His career has included romantic dramas, thrillers, action films and character-driven performances.
Alia, meanwhile, made her acting debut with Student of the Year and subsequently developed a diverse filmography that includes Highway, Udta Punjab, Dear Zindagi, Raazi, Gully Boy, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Their careers have therefore evolved independently despite their connection through the same extended family.
Emraan Hashmi’s Latest Projects
Emraan Hashmi recently returned as Shivam Pandit in Awarapan 2, the sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan.
The film, released on August 14, 2026, also features Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi and Puran Gabbi. Nitin Kakkar directed the action drama, which was produced under the Vishesh Films banner.
According to the supplied figures, the film crossed the ₹90 crore mark globally within its first four days.
Emraan is also scheduled to appear in Gunmaaster G9, a romantic action thriller featuring Genelia D’Souza and Aparshakti Khurana. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 27, 2026.
What Is Alia Bhatt Working On?
Alia Bhatt was recently seen in the action thriller Alpha, alongside Sharvari.
She is now preparing for another major project, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War.
The film brings Alia together with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal and is among the most anticipated Hindi film projects in her upcoming slate.
Her collaboration with Bhansali follows their earlier association on Gangubai Kathiawadi, which earned Alia widespread critical acclaim and several major awards.
A Lesser-Known Bollywood Family Connection
The connection between Emraan Hashmi and Alia Bhatt is a reminder of how closely intertwined many prominent Hindi-film families are.
While the two actors have never relied on their relationship to define their careers, both have carved out individual identities and achieved recognition through their own film choices and performances.
For fans, however, discovering that two seemingly unrelated stars are actually second cousins offers an interesting glimpse into the extended family networks that have existed within the Hindi film industry for generations.
