Following a string of mixed results, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey appears to have found his mojo again with Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web. Released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the seven-episode Netflix series marks a departure from the “rugged and grimy” aesthetic of typical Indian OTT thrillers, opting instead for a polished, high-stakes procedural that feels both urban and authentically lived-in.
At the heart of the storm is Emraan Hashmi, delivering what many are calling a career-defining performance as Superintendent Arjun Meena, a calm and calculating customs officer at Mumbai International Airport.
The Plot: Scanners, Secrets, and Syndicates
The series opens with high tension, introducing the audience to the Choudhary Syndicate, a global smuggling ring led by the elusive Bada Choudhary (Sharad Kelkar). Operating out of Italy with tentacles in Bangkok, Addis Ababa, and Al Dera, the syndicate uses “popats” (couriers) to move luxury watches, cocaine, and gold.
The narrative kicks off with Arjun Meena, a sharp officer whose suspension is revoked by ACP Prakash Kumar (Anurag Sinha) to lead an elite, hungry team including Ravinder Gujjar (Nandish Singh Sandhu) and Mitali Kamat (Amruta Khanvilkar). Their mission: to dismantle a network where everyone—from pilots to airhostesses—could be in cahoots with the kingpin.
Performance Report Card
- Emraan Hashmi (Arjun Meena): Hashmi sheds his “bravado-heavy” persona for a performance rooted in restraint. He plays Arjun as a man who thinks two steps ahead, relying on instinct rather than his biceps.
- Amruta Khanvilkar (Mitali Kamat): Making her action debut, Amruta is a revelation. She plays a “badass Mumbai girl” who balances the demands of single motherhood with the physical rigors of a customs raid.
- Sharad Kelkar (Bada Choudhary): While Kelkar brings his signature baritone, critics have noted that his portrayal of Bada feels “vanilla.” The menace expected from a Neeraj Pandey villain remains somewhat underpowered here.
- Zoya Afroz (Priya): Playing an airhostess-turned-informer, Zoya has one of the most interesting character graphs, driving much of the show’s unpredictability.
Technical Brilliance & Direction
- Procedural Accuracy: The show shines when it focuses on the “how” of smuggling—explaining the coded pathways and fake paperwork used to fool scanners.
- Visuals: Cinematographers Sudhir Palsane and Arvind Singh give the show a “chic” look, capturing international locales and the clinical, high-pressure environment of airports with precision.
- The Neeraj Pandey Touch: Co-directed by Raghav M. Jairath, the series avoids typical cliffhangers, choosing instead to end episodes on revelations that build tension slowly.
The Verdict: Is It Worth a Watch?
Despite a climax that some critics feel “falls flat” due to a late-stage tactical shift that seems overly convenient, Taskaree is being hailed as a must-watch for fans of realistic crime dramas. It humanizes crime without glorifying it, exploring bribes as a means of survival rather than just greed.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
Quick Info:
- Episodes: 7
- Platform: Netflix
- Release Date: January 14, 2026
- Creators: Neeraj Pandey, Raghav M. Jairath