The thrill that the word taskaree evokes is missing from smuggling. Mounted like a pulpy page-turner in the mould of Special 26, Taskaree follows a procedural thriller format: a tight-knit team of underdogs versus a shadowy antagonist, building tension through sedate operations lined with glorious temptations and threats to life and limb.
Starting with routine customs checks at airports and quirky couriers of contraband, it spirals into global pursuits involving corruption, betrayal, and high-tech smuggling ops. Following an outrage in Parliament, the minister brings in smart yet honest officer Prakash Singh (Anurag Sinha), to curb the growing smuggling menace at the Mumbai airport.
Prakash sets up his own crack team led by Arjun Meena (Emraan Hashmi), Mitali (Amruta Khanvilkar), and Ravinder Gujjar (Nandish Sandhu). They are up against the moles within, and a smuggling syndicate lorded over by Bada Chaudhary (Sharad Kelkar), whose influence spans Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Avoiding flashy bouts of vengeance, Chaudhary follows a considered carrot-and-stick policy to infiltrate and win over the system, but Arjun turns the tables on him, as he finds cracks in Chaudhary’s lair. As he makes an air hostess, Priya (Zoya Afroz), permeate Chaudhary’s gang in the fictitious Al Dera, a traditional hub of smuggling in West Asia, the art of seduction takes over. It tests logic, but the delicate game of fox and geese brings us to the edge of our seats.
Taskaree (Hindi)
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sharad Kelkar, Nandish Sandhu, Zoya Afroz, Anurag Sinha, Amruta Khanvilkar, Freddy Daruwala
Episodes: 7
Synopsis: It follows dedicated customs officer Arjun Meena and his elite team at Mumbai airport as they battle a powerful international smuggling syndicate.
In a seven-episode series, it’s quite natural to be apprehensive about how long screenwriters could hold attention with the modus operandi of smuggling. But Pandey, along with co-directors B.A. Fida and Raghav Jairath, and co-writer Vipul Rawal, combine research and representation well to get a grip on life rolling on the conveyor belt of airport security.
While the authentic procedural details, such as customs protocols and smuggling tactics, provide a solid foundation for the sharp dialogue to land, Pandey’s ability to humanise officers and smugglers through subtle character moments and backstories, keeps the narrative emotionally charged. Blending patriotism, duty, and grit with a critique of systemic flaws, the multi-episode arc escalates into a high-stakes roller coaster, where creative flair keeps pace with procedure. Shot in Germany, Bahrain, and Thailand, the spirited camerawork and smart editing make the seemingly drab drills visually engaging.
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Strong performances make it more credible. Emraan, riding high in his new avatar, brings grounded, no-nonsense heroism to a role demanding quiet courage. Anurag steps up from the sidelines to make Prakash the series’ guiding light. Zoya, winsome, skillfully masks vulnerability and fear with style. Nandish, an honest officer ensnared by deceit at home and work, elicits empathy for the endangered species. Sharad works as the villain, though more colour was expected from Chaudhary’s character. There are passages that feel custom-made for Pandey’s growing pantheon of honest officers, but in the end, it rewards patience.
Taskaree is currently streaming on Netflix.
Published – January 14, 2026 03:11 pm IST
