17 December,2025 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Still from Taskaree teaser
Attention all units: prepare for clearance. Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web, produced by Friday Storytellers, created by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Raghav Jairath, touches down on Netflix January 14, 2026.
Intelligence input: This is a fictional edge-of-your-seat crime entertainer that opens the gates to a world where every suitcase could hide a secret and every passenger could be a suspect. At the heart of this operation is Superintendent Arjun Meena (Emraan Hashmi), a razor-sharp, calm, and calculating officer. With his team, he cracks down on airport smuggling - from luxury goods hidden in plain sight to organised international syndicates.
Taskaree marks Neeraj Pandey's first collaboration with Emraan Hashmi, a combination promising precision, pace, and high-stakes thrills. Pandey delivers his signature blend of sharp storytelling, grounded humour, and globe-trotting tension, while Hashmi steps into a refreshing new avatar: a leader whose instinct and intelligence are as lethal as the mission itself.
Also involved in the mission are Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha and Zoya Afroz, who bring grit, intensity, and anticipation to a world where tension never clocks out.
Neeraj Pandey says, "Airports are familiar to all of us, yet what unfolds behind the scenes is rarely seen. The world of customs is not something that has been explored on screen, and that was part of the appeal in our endeavour to introduce our audiences to a new, unexplored world which is quiet, disciplined, and high-pressure. With Taskaree, we bring together an ensemble that could reflect the complexity with depth and conviction. And as always, Netflix continues to be a strong partner in supporting stories that are rooted, authentic, and built for scale."
Reflecting on his role, Emraan Hashmi says, "Taskaree was exciting for me on many levels. It's my first time working with Neeraj Pandey and stepping into his world. Playing a customs officer is new territory for me, and Arjun Meena isn't loud or flashy; he's calm, observant, and always thinking two steps ahead. I enjoyed stepping into that space. I'm really looking forward to audiences seeing me in this new role. Partnering with Netflix and Neeraj sir makes it even more special, it's makers that encourage stories like this to be told at scale."
Unit Directive: Viewers are cleared to follow Superintendent Meena and his squad into a globe-spanning world of smuggling, strategy, and sky-high stakes.
Mission Debrief Question: Will Meena outsmart the smugglers, or will the syndicate always stay one step ahead?
Customs Advisory: Exposure may result in binge-watching and extreme excitement. Handle with care.
Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web - premieres on January 14 on Netflix.
