Taskaree' director Raghav M Jairath on working with Emraan Hashmi and Neeraj Pandey: 'Emraan is deeply prepared' and 'Neeraj pushes for silence'

In a recent interview, director Raghav M Jairath opened up on his approach to storytelling and how he has always leaned towards realism over spectacle. He also opened up on how this philosophy shaped up his latest Netflix series, 'Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web'. The crime thriller, headlined by Emraan Hashmi and Sharad Kelkar, explores the complex world of customs officers without glorifying crime or reducing morality to simple extremes. Jairath believes the series reflects the human cost of institutional strain as much as criminal ambition.Speaking to Mid-Day, Jairath explains that 'Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web' was never designed to sensationalise smuggling. “It’s a collision of both crime and systemic failure. Crime exploits gaps, but those gaps exist because systems are stretched. Many honest officers aren’t just fighting criminals; they are fighting fatigue, bureaucracy, pressure, and isolation. That became a part of the storytelling,” he says. The series is streaming on Netflix and has been discussed widely across entertainment platforms for its restrained tone and procedural authenticity.The director adds that heightened drama had no place in this narrative. He was keen to portray a believable ecosystem where characters react like real people under stress. This commitment to realism shaped casting choices and performance styles throughout the show.'Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web' also marks another chapter in Jairath’s decade-long collaboration with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey. The two have worked together on projects including 'Baby', 'MS Dhoni: The Untold Story', 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', 'Special Ops', 'Special Ops 1.5', and 'Secrets of The Buddha Relics'. Jairath acknowledges that Pandey’s influence has refined his instincts as a director.“I once pushed for more exposition in a scene, and Neeraj pushed for silence. That guidance taught me the power of what’s left unsaid,” he recalls. That lesson carries into 'Taskaree', where pauses and restrained dialogue often speak louder than words.Jairath also praises Emraan Hashmi’s working style, calling him an ideal fit for the understated tone. “Emraan is deeply prepared but instinctive. He comes in knowing the spine of a scene, and then stays open to the moment,” he says.'Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web' Season 1 began streaming on Netflix on January 14, 2026. The seven-episode crime thriller is created by Neeraj Pandey and is designed to deliver a self-contained narrative within its first season.