Acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, the mastermind behind hits like Special 26 and Baby, has officially unveiled the trailer for his next high-stakes project, ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’. Marking his first collaboration with Emraan Hashmi, the series is set to premiere on Netflix on January 14, 2026.
During the trailer launch in Mumbai, Pandey opened up about the unique challenges of this project. He admitted that reimagining Hashmi—long known for his romantic “serial kisser” persona—into a restrained, family-friendly thriller was a significant creative hurdle.
Pandey noted that the primary challenge lay in designing a character-driven narrative that relied on tension rather than the actor’s established tropes.
“Making a family show with Emraan Hashmi is quite a challenge. We’ve managed to pull that off, and I think you guys will love it,” Pandey said, highlighting the shift toward a more grounded and realistic portrayal of heroism.
Emraan Hashmi, who plays Superintendent Arjun Meena, echoed this sentiment, describing the role as “quiet courage and discipline” rather than loud bravado. The actor even jokingly revealed that his suggestion to include a song in each episode was politely but firmly turned down by Pandey to maintain the show’s taut rhythm.
Directed by Raghav Jairath and created by Pandey, Taskaree pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of the Mumbai International Airport customs department. The plot follows an elite task force as they dismantle a global gold-smuggling syndicate led by the notorious kingpin Bada Chaudhary (played by Sharad Kelkar).
The series features a stellar ensemble cast:
- Emraan Hashmi as Arjun Meena (Lead Customs Officer)
- Sharad Kelkar as Bada Chaudhary (The Kingpin)
- Amruta Khanvilkar as Mitali Kamath
- Nandish Singh Sandhu as Ravinder Gujjar
- Anurag Sinha as Prakash Kumar
The narrative isn’t limited to India; it spans major smuggling corridors including Milan, Bangkok, Al-Dera, and Addis Ababa. Unlike traditional actioners, Taskaree focuses on the “game of hide-and-seek” involving coded routes, false manifests, and the meticulous intelligence work required to stay three steps ahead of international syndicates.
Key Highlights:
- Creative Collaboration: Neeraj Pandey and Emraan Hashmi team up for the first time in a Netflix thriller titled Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web.
- Character Shift: The series marks a departure for Hashmi, who plays a disciplined, calm customs officer in a family-friendly format.
- Release Details: The show, produced by Friday Storytellers, is scheduled to stream starting January 14, 2026.
- Plot Focus: The story explores the unexplored world of airport customs enforcement and its battle against global gold-smuggling syndicates.