Taskaree web series review brings Emraan Hashmi back to the OTT space in a role that prioritises restrained intensity over flamboyant heroism. Directed by Neeraj Pandey and Raghav M Jairath, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web attempts to marry the polish of big-screen thrillers with the gritty realism of streaming content — with mixed results.
Taskaree Web Series: Plot Overview
Set against the backdrop of international airports, luxury travel, and global crime networks, Taskaree follows Superintendent Arjun Meena, a sharp but morally conflicted customs officer posted at Mumbai Airport.
The series opens with a tense chase involving Swati, a courier — locally referred to as a “popat” — and international smugglers. Arjun intercepts her, but the encounter reveals his compromised ethics when he accepts a Rs 50-lakh bribe from her handler.
Emraan Hashmi’s Performance: Intensity Over Swagger
In this Taskaree web series review, Emraan Hashmi emerges as the show’s strongest pillar. Shedding his trademark bravado, Hashmi plays Arjun Meena with controlled aggression and quiet turmoil.
His performance thrives on pauses, restrained anger, and internal conflict rather than loud heroics. It’s a refreshing shift that largely works, especially in interrogation and moral dilemma scenes.
Sharad Kelkar and the Missed Menace
Sharad Kelkar, cast as smuggling kingpin Bada Choudhary, is meant to embody menace and moral decay. However, despite the character’s global reach — from Italy to Bangkok and Addis Ababa — the portrayal feels curiously flat.
The writing hints at a terrifying mastermind, but the performance never fully delivers the intimidation the role demands.
Neeraj Pandey’s Direction: Almost Finds His Footing
Known for films like A Wednesday and Special 26, Neeraj Pandey brings a familiar thematic sensibility to Taskaree. The series is sleek, urban, and mounted on a massive budget, with picturesque locations and polished visuals.
However, the narrative often struggles to balance bureaucratic realism with thriller momentum, causing the pacing to dip in crucial moments.
The World of Smuggling and Corruption
The Choudhary Syndicate operates a vast network smuggling luxury watches, cocaine, and gold plates into India. Pilots, airhostesses, and customs officials are all implicated, creating a morally grey ecosystem.
ACP Prakash Kumar’s induction into the customs department sets off an internal power struggle, as honest officers clash with compromised systems weighed down by red-tapism and bureaucracy.
What Works and What Doesn’t
What Works:
- Emraan Hashmi’s restrained performance
- Slick cinematography and production design
- Realistic depiction of institutional corruption
What Doesn’t:
- Inconsistent pacing
- Underwhelming antagonist
- Emotional beats that don’t always land
Jay-ho Verdict: Should You Watch Taskaree?
This Taskaree web series review concludes that while the show doesn’t fully reach the heights expected from a Neeraj Pandey thriller, it remains watchable for Emraan Hashmi’s intense performance and its polished take on airport-based smuggling operations.
It’s not groundbreaking — but it’s not forgettable either.
