Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web on Netflix

At the stroke of midnight on January 14, 2026, Netflix unveiled ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’, marking Emraan Hashmi’s return to long-form storytelling. Unlike his previous on-screen personas, Hashmi portrays a character defined by patience and intellect rather than bravado. This seven-episode crime thriller, created by Neeraj Pandey, dives into the rarely explored world of Indian customs enforcement, focusing on the meticulous work behind law and order rather than flashy action sequences.

Much of the narrative unfolds at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, adopting a grounded procedural style. The series emphasizes intelligence, persistence, and methodical processes, building a suspenseful and realistic portrayal of crime-fighting.

The Plot: Inside India’s Customs Service

According to OTTplay, the show is the culmination of nearly two and a half years of research. Produced under the Friday Storytellers banner, it sheds light on the intricate workings of the Indian Customs Service, an institution that has largely remained behind the scenes in mainstream cinema.

Emraan Hashmi plays Superintendent Arjun Meena, a calm and observant officer who solves cases through strategy rather than aggression. Meena and his team pursue a sprawling smuggling network run by Sharad Kelkar’s Bada Chaudhary, unraveling the operation through shipping records, cargo inspections, and encrypted transit paths. The tension arises from careful surveillance, data analysis, and incremental breakthroughs, presenting a “nuts-and-bolts” approach to crime investigation instead of the conventional hero-centric drama.

Emraan Hashmi on His Role

Hashmi shared that his experiences of being frequently stopped at airports for “looking suspicious” influenced his portrayal of Meena. The series emphasizes intelligence-driven policing, highlighting the work of officials who serve as the nation’s first line of defense, offering a conscious departure from Hashmi’s earlier “bad boy” roles.

Cast and Creators

Neeraj Pandey, renowned for films like A Wednesday and the Khakee franchise, co-directs the series alongside Raghav Jairath and B.A. Fida, while collaborating with Vipul K. Rawal on the screenplay.

The show features an ensemble cast, including:

• Amruta Khanvilkar as Mitali Kamath, a pivotal member of Meena’s team
• Nandish Singh Sandhu as Ravinder Gujjar, a dedicated officer in high-pressure situations
• Zoya Afroz as Priya Khubchandani
• Anurag Sinha as Prakash Kumar, integral to the investigation
• Sharad Kelkar as Bada Chaudhary, the formidable head of the international drug trade

Filmed across multiple international locations, including Bangkok, Milan, Addis Ababa, and Al-Dera, the series portrays a global smuggling network while remaining grounded in procedural realism.

Availability and Global Reach

All seven episodes of ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’ are now streaming on Netflix. The series is available in Hindi, with dubs in English, French, Spanish, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring accessibility for a worldwide audience.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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