Emraan Hashmi 'second only to Salman Khan'

Emraan Hashmi has claimed that he is second only to Salman Khan as a box-office draw in Bollywood.

The actor can currently be seen in the erotic thriller Murder 2, playing a maverick ex-policeman in Goa who finds himself helping a crime lord locate missing prostitutes.

Hashmi told Mumbai Mirror: "I am not being boastful but if you ask any trade person, he will say that I stand second only to Salman as far as single-screen audiences go.

"If this statement makes people feel that I have gotten too big for my boots, probably I have with this film."

Hashmi said that he will not hike up his prices because of the impact on producers and directors who want to work with him after his success in the sequel.

However, he added that Once Upon a Time in Mumbai has been the "game-changer" in his career, despite Murder 2's success.

Hashmi has been nicknamed the "serial kisser" because of the number of intimate scenes he has performed on camera.

He recently dismissed the epithet, arguing that he would rather be called a serial killer instead.

Hashmi reportedly started going to the gym more in order to prepare for his lovemaking scenes with co-star Jacqueline Fernandez in Murder 2.

Watch Emraan Hashmi and Jacqueline Fernandez in Murder 2 below: