In a candid conversation, Emraan Hashmi and Neeraj Pandey discuss their first-time collaboration on the Netflix crime drama, "Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web," which premiered on January 14, 2026. Hashmi, who plays a customs officer named Arjun Meena, leads a high-risk task force at Mumbai International Airport, battling an international smuggling network. Pandey, known for his thriller expertise, directs the series alongside Raghav Jairath and co-writes with Vipul K. Rawal.
Hashmi expressed his excitement about working with Pandey, a collaboration that was long overdue. "We have met many times for some films. Unfortunately, that didn't happen at that time. But as they say, better late than never," Hashmi stated. He added, "It's good that I am getting to work finally with Neeraj". Pandey's narration of the series was brief but effective, immediately selling Hashmi on the project. After the narration, Hashmi received several episodes, which he binge-read in one sitting, solidifying his decision to join the series.
"Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web" delves into the rarely seen world of smuggling, illegal goods, and the customs agents dedicated to stopping it. The series spans across key smuggling corridors, including Al-Dera, Addis Ababa, Milan, and Bangkok, showcasing the complex machinery of international smuggling with its coded routes, false manifests, and calculated misdirection. Pandey shared, "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".
Hashmi was drawn to the uniqueness of the series, noting that it explores a world rarely seen in Indian films. "We've never seen how smuggling is done on uh you know through our international domestic flights. How the customs really end up nabbing someone," Hashmi explained. He emphasized the novelty of the subject matter, stating, "Any actor in our country has had a show, any film that has creatively explored this area of smuggling and air travel. So, when your palette is new, that's a huge bonus".
Hashmi also addressed his penchant for playing characters with grey shades, a recurring theme throughout his career. "I kind of find very cut-and-dry, one-dimensional heroes and villains extremely boring," he stated, adding that layered characters with nuance are more fun to play and easier to relate to. He feels that storytelling is becoming more experimental, blurring the lines between heroes and villains and allowing for more complex character development.
Pandey's direction brings a fresh edge to the thriller, with unexpected twists and turns. The series promises a grounded narrative that brings airport security and global smuggling into sharp focus. "Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web" also stars Anurag Sinha, Nandish Sandhu, and Amruta Khanvilkar.
