by In an era when Indian web series are crowded with familiar crime dramas, police procedurals, and political thrillers, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web arrives like a gust of fresh air. Instead of focusing on gang wars, drug lords, or intelligence agencies, the show takes audiences deep into the underexplored but incredibly fascinating world of customs, international smuggling networks, and the quiet, often invisible battles fought at airports and ports. It is rare for Indian entertainment to spotlight customs officers as frontline warriors against organized crime, and that alone makes Taskaree stand out.
Created by Neeraj Pandey and Vipul K Rawal, and directed by Neeraj Pandey, Raghav M Jairath, and B A Fida, the series brings together a powerful ensemble cast led by Emraan Hashmi, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Sharad Kelkar. What makes Taskaree particularly compelling is its unusual tone — a mix of high-stakes thriller, workplace drama, and tongue-in-cheek humor — all unfolding against the backdrop of global crime syndicates and political pressure.
While the show has its flaws, it succeeds in being something Indian audiences have not quite seen before: a crime drama that is not obsessed with darkness but still manages to create tension, intrigue, and emotional investment. The result is a show that entertains, educates, and occasionally surprises, even when it doesn’t always reach its full potential.
A Fresh Take on Crime: Smuggling Through the Lens of Customs
Most crime thrillers revolve around the police, RAW, or gangsters. Taskaree chooses a much more grounded and underrepresented angle: the Customs Department. Smuggling is one of the biggest threats to any country’s economy and security, yet its portrayal in fiction is surprisingly limited. By placing customs officers at the heart of the story, the series immediately gains originality.
The plot unfolds at a politically sensitive time. The Indian Parliament is shaken by accusations that the government is failing to curb smuggling, and with elections approaching, the Finance Minister puts immense pressure on the customs department to deliver results. This political urgency gives the narrative an authentic sense of stakes — the officers are not just fighting criminals; they are also navigating political expectations and bureaucratic heat.
Enter Prakash Kumar (Anurag Sinha), an idealistic Assistant Commissioner who joins Mumbai’s international airport with a mission. Unlike typical administrators who would try to play it safe, Prakash immediately demands that three suspended officers be reinstated: Arjun Meena (Emraan Hashmi), Mitali Kamath (Amruta Khanvilkar), and Ravinder Gujjar (Nandish Sandhu). He believes in their honesty, courage, and ability to think outside the box.
This decision is the first major step that sets the story in motion. From here, Taskaree becomes less about one heroic cop and more about a team of flawed, funny, and fiercely committed officers who decide to take on one of the most powerful smuggling syndicates in the world.
The Choudhary Syndicate: A Global Crime Network
The enemy in Taskaree is not a small-time smuggler or a local don. It is Ranjeet Choudhary, also known as Bada Choudhary, played with icy confidence by Sharad Kelkar. He is a man who operates beyond borders, living in Lake Como in Italy while running a vast empire that spans Rome, Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa, and the fictional Middle Eastern city of Al Dera.
Choudhary represents the modern face of organized crime — smooth, globalized, well-connected, and almost untouchable. He deals in gold, drugs, luxury watches, and everything else that can be moved illegally across borders for profit. His network is so efficient that even powerful governments struggle to trace it.
What makes Choudhary especially dangerous is not just his wealth or reach but his ability to manipulate systems. He receives a tip that on a particular day, Mumbai airport will not have thorough checks. Sensing a golden opportunity, he decides to push through a massive consignment that could become one of the biggest smuggling operations in Indian history.
But what Choudhary does not know is that Arjun Meena and his team are preparing for the same day to be their biggest crackdown ever.
The Game of Moles, Misdirection, and Mind Games
One of the most entertaining aspects of Taskaree is its focus on intelligence, moles, and psychological warfare rather than just guns and chases. Both sides have insiders. Both sides are feeding each other information. Both sides are trying to outsmart the other.
Priya Khubchandani (Zoya Afroz) becomes a crucial piece of this puzzle. Her character is fascinating because she is not introduced as a hardened spy or a trained agent. She is someone who ends up inside Choudhary’s world and slowly becomes an undercover asset for the customs team.
While her sudden transition from a stable job to undercover agent may stretch credibility, it also adds an emotional layer. Priya is not just playing a role — she is risking her life every single day in a world where one wrong move can mean death.
This cat-and-mouse game keeps the narrative engaging. You are constantly guessing who knows what, who is lying, and who is about to get caught. The show may sometimes rely on convenient twists, but the thrill of these mind games remains strong.
A Lighter, More Playful Neeraj Pandey
Neeraj Pandey is known for serious, intense thrillers like A Wednesday, Baby, and Special Ops. Taskaree feels like a departure from that darker tone. Here, the storytelling is deliberately lighter, almost playful in places.
The customs office banter, the humorous exchanges between Arjun, Mitali, and Ravinder, and even the way villains sometimes react to situations give the show a breezy quality. The creators clearly want the audience to enjoy the world of smuggling rather than feel weighed down by it.
This approach is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it makes the show highly watchable and fun. On the other, it occasionally undermines the gravity of the stakes. Smuggling, corruption, and international crime are serious issues, and sometimes the humor makes them feel less threatening than they should.
Yet, the balance mostly works. The humor humanizes the characters and makes their struggles more relatable.
A Narrative That Educates Without Lecturing
One of the most impressive achievements of Taskaree is how it introduces viewers to the complex world of customs and cross-border smuggling. For the first few episodes, the show spends considerable time explaining how smuggling works, how customs departments operate, and what kind of loopholes criminals exploit.
This could have easily become boring or overly technical. Instead, the directors use engaging storytelling, character backstories, and visual explanations to keep things interesting. By the time the major operation begins, viewers genuinely understand what is at stake and how difficult it is to catch smugglers who are always one step ahead.
The non-linear narrative, which jumps between present-day events and flashbacks, also adds depth. One standout sequence is the flashback of Bada Choudhary’s past, shot in a stylized, Sin City-like color tone. It gives viewers insight into how he became the man he is today and why he is so ruthless.
Where the Writing Falls Short
Despite its originality, Taskaree is not without flaws. The biggest issue lies in convenience. Many major developments happen too easily.
Moles on both sides appear with surprising ease. Key characters make risky decisions without enough justification. Priya’s choice to become an undercover agent feels rushed. The desert scene involving Rahul (Freddy Daruwala), which starts amusingly, quickly becomes unrealistic when he seems to wander for nearly a day despite being left not too far from civilization.
The climax is another weak point. For a villain as powerful as Choudhary, his downfall feels far too smooth. In the real world, someone with his influence would have deep political and institutional protection. The show does not fully explore this, making the victory of the customs officers feel slightly hollow.
Emraan Hashmi: The Soul of the Series
As Arjun Meena, Emraan Hashmi is effortlessly charming. He brings humor, intelligence, and emotional depth to the role. Arjun is not a stereotypical action hero — he is witty, slightly mischievous, but deeply committed to justice. Emraan’s comic timing adds lightness to tense situations, and his sincerity makes the character believable.
Amruta Khanvilkar as Mitali Kamath is equally impressive. She is sharp, fearless, and often the most level-headed person in the room. Her action sequences are well-executed, and her comedic beats land perfectly. Mitali never feels like a token female officer; she is integral to the team.
Nandish Sandhu as Ravinder Gujjar brings warmth and reliability to the trio. He may not have the flashiest moments, but he grounds the team with his steadiness.
Anurag Sinha’s Prakash Kumar is one of the biggest surprises. His quiet intensity and moral clarity make him an effective leader.
Sharad Kelkar, while playing a role similar to his antagonist in Special Ops, still commands attention. Zoya Afroz shines as Priya, bringing vulnerability and strength in equal measure.
The supporting cast adds richness, making the world of Taskaree feel lived-in and authentic.
Music, Visuals, and Craft
The show’s technical aspects are top-notch. Advait Nemlekar’s background score is quirky yet cinematic, enhancing both suspense and humor. The cinematography by Sudheer Palsane and Arvind Singh is visually striking, especially in international locations.
The production design feels realistic, capturing everything from crowded airport offices to luxurious crime lord hideouts. Costumes are practical and believable. The action sequences, choreographed by Abbas Ali Moghul and Cyril Raffaelli, are grounded and effective rather than over-the-top.
The only visual drawback is the excessive color grading in some scenes, which can feel gaudy and distracting.
Final Verdict
Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web may not be flawless, but it is undeniably refreshing. It introduces viewers to a new kind of hero — the customs officer — and a new kind of battlefield — the international airport. With its strong performances, engaging storytelling, and unique tone, it manages to stand out in India’s crowded web-series landscape.
While loose ends and a convenient climax hold it back from greatness, the show remains highly entertaining and worth watching. Its blend of humor, drama, and suspense ensures that audiences stay hooked from start to finish.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
A bold, enjoyable experiment that proves even the world of smuggling can be fun, fascinating, and full of heart.
