24 September,2026 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
Hunkkaar series review (Pic/Special Arrangements)
There is always something disturbing about crime thrillers. It is the emotional baggage that the characters carry that stays with you. With Hunkkaar, through Meenu Rawat, the makers have tried to showcase how society and the legal system deal with heinous crimes like sexual assault against women, while highlighting how victims are subjected to shame and judgment. But is this hard-hitting enough? Let's find out.
Aneet Padda plays 17-year-old Meenu, who walks into a police station and files a complaint against revered cult leader Sunil Chakosi, known as âBaapji', accusing him of sexual assault. As the case unfolds, the focus shifts to the uncomfortable questions raised about Meenu's character. She is shamed for being bold and outspoken, while even her own father questions her motives because her behaviour does not fit conventional ideas of how a victim is expected to act.
Meanwhile, ACP Jasleen Singh Soni (Fatima Sana Shaikh) sets out to investigate Meenu's allegations and takes on Baapji. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays the only lawyer willing to stand by Meenu, while Ram Kapoor portrays Baapji's lawyer, and Arjun Mathur plays a journalist covering the case.
As they attempt to uncover the truth, the people and evidence connected to the case begin to disappear. Is Baapji guilty? Will Meenu get justice? Watch Hunkkaar to find out.
Hunkkaar has its heart in the right place. Its intent is solid: to spark a conversation and unsettle the audience. However, much of that gets buried under the weight of its own aspirations, and by the end, the impact begins to fizzle out.
Director Nitya Mehra effectively uses silence and isolated framing to create an immediate sense of dread. She handles the subject with sensitivity without becoming preachy. At its core, the show attempts to expose the patriarchy embedded in society and how victims are often judged rather than supported. Even Meenu's closest friends are blinded by faith. In one striking instance, she steps out for pani puri, and the moment goes viral, prompting people to question whether she is lying. Jasleen, too, is repeatedly expected to bow to the system and those around her. Yet, as the investigation progresses, her sharp instincts and ability to read a crime scene establish why she is the right person for the job.
The performances are another strong point. Fresh off the success of Saiyaara, Aneet Padda embraces the de-glam role with conviction, bringing vulnerability and flaws to Meenu. By the end, her portrayal evokes genuine sympathy. Fatima Sana Shaikh brings depth to Jasleen, balancing a fierce cop with a woman dealing with personal turmoil. Raghubir Yadav is suitably intimidating as Baapji, while Zoya Hussain leaves an impression as his disciple.
The investigation unfolds at a steady pace, allowing the suspense to build without relying on constant twists. However, the writing occasionally becomes repetitive in its treatment of trauma. Aneet's Meenu is repeatedly asked to recount what happened to her, and after a point, the device begins to feel monotonous.
The execution is ultimately exhausting, with the pacing dragging considerably in the middle. While the show delves into the backgrounds of its characters and situations, several developments feel unnecessary and add little to the narrative. Despite a slight pickup in the final act, the predictable conclusion lands with a dull thud rather than delivering a powerful punch. At over 50 minutes an episode across six episodes, the story would arguably have benefited from the tighter format of a feature film.
Hunkkaar raises an important conversation around victim-shaming, patriarchy and faith, backed by strong performances and a compelling premise. However, its uneven pacing, repetitive writing and predictable conclusion keep it from delivering the hard-hitting impact it promises.
