NewKerala.com

Emraan Hashmi Binge-Read 'Taskaree' Episodes, Calls World of Customs Novel

Emraan Hashmi was immediately drawn to the novel premise of 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web,' which explores the unseen world of customs and international smuggling. He praised creator Neeraj Pandey for the thrilling format and unexpected twists that captivated him during his first read. The series follows a specialized customs task force at Mumbai International Airport, led by Hashmi's character, operating across global smuggling hubs. The actor was so engrossed he binge-read multiple episodes and is excited for the series' Netflix premiere on January 14, 2026.

Key Points: Emraan Hashmi on Binge-Reading 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web'

  • Novel customs officer premise
  • Explores international smuggling corridors
  • Thriller with unexpected twists
  • Features a specialized airport task force
2 min read

Emraan Hashmi says he 'binge read' 4-5 episodes of 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web'

Emraan Hashmi reveals he binge-read episodes of 'Taskaree,' praising its novel customs world and Neeraj Pandey's thrilling twists. Premieres Jan 14, 2026.

Emraan Hashmi says he 'binge read' 4-5 episodes of 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web'
"When your palette is new, that's a huge bonus... you take the audience into a new world - Emraan Hashmi"

Mumbai, Jan 12

Actor Emraan Hashmi, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming streaming series 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web', has shared what appealed to him about the show, and its premise. The actor said that he was given 3-4 episodes after the first narration, and he binge read all the episodes.

The actor spoke with IANS during the promotions of the show, and said that he found the concept of the show to be very novel. The show gives a peek into the world of customs, and it immediately caught his attention.

He said, "Playing a customs officer, this world is very new. Not just for me, but for all the actors. 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. Because you take the audience into a new world, a new experience".

The series spans key smuggling corridors across Al-Dera, Addis Ababa, Milan and Bangkok, Taskaree opens up the complex machinery of the international smuggling world- a web built on coded routes, false manifests, and calculated misdirection. At its centre is a specialised customs task force at one of the busiest airports in the country, Mumbai International Airport, led by an uncompromisingly honest team of officers: Arjun Meena (played by Emraan Hashmi), Mitali Kamath (played by Amruta Khanvilkar), Ravinder Gujjar (played by Nandish Singh Sandhu), and Prakash Kumar (played by Anurag Sinha). These officers rely on instinct as much as intelligence, knowing one missed detail can undo weeks of surveillance.

"And of course, in that thriller format, Neeraj Pandey has given a very different spin to it, with different twists and turns. You're expecting something and something comes from left field and catches you unaware. So, I think those are the things that I found very interesting in my first read. After Neeraj's narration, I was given 4 or 5 episodes. And I kind of binge read them and I was completely sold. I was like, yeah, this is something that I want to grab with both hands", he added.

'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web' is set to stream on Netflix on January 14, 2026.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Neeraj Pandey + Emraan Hashmi is a combo I didn't know I needed. If the writing made him binge-read the episodes, it must be solid. Hope it shows the real pressure these officers face.
A
Aman W
Sounds promising, but I hope they don't just make it another glamorous thriller. The article mentions smuggling corridors in Addis Ababa and Bangkok – I hope they do proper research and don't rely on stereotypes. Respectfully, our audiences deserve authentic storytelling.
S
Sarah B
The premise is so unique! A web series spanning Milan to Mumbai showing the intricate world of smuggling. January 2026 is so far away though 😭 The wait will be worth it if it's a Neeraj Pandey project.
V
Vikram M
"Binge read" – love that term! 😄 It shows his genuine excitement. A show based at Mumbai International Airport is very relatable for us frequent flyers. Hope it highlights how technology and human instinct work together to catch smugglers.
K
Kavya N
The cast looks interesting with Amruta Khanvilkar and Nandish Singh too. It's good to see shows moving beyond just Delhi and Mumbai police stories. Our customs officers deserve this spotlight. Jai Hind!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50