Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, known for hard-hitting thrillers such as ‘A Wednesday’, ‘Special 26’ and ‘Baby’, has described his first collaboration with Emraan Hashmi as both exciting and challenging. The duo is coming together for the upcoming series ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’, which is set to stream on Netflix.

According to a PTI report, Pandey spoke candidly at the trailer launch of the series, admitting that shaping a family-friendly thriller with Hashmi in the lead was not an easy task. The filmmaker noted that the actor’s long-standing romantic image posed a creative challenge while designing a character-driven narrative rooted in tension and realism.

“Making a family show with Emraan Hashmi is quite a challenge. We’ve managed to pull that and I think you guys will love it,” Pandey said at the event, underlining the effort that went into reimagining the actor in a space audiences may not immediately associate him with.

‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web’ has been created by Pandey and is directed by Raghav Jairath. The series centres on a committed customs officer, played by Hashmi, who finds himself navigating a complex and dangerous web of smuggling operations. The role marks a shift for the actor, who is widely recognised for his romantic dramas and musical hits.

The show promises a gripping narrative that blends investigative drama with emotional depth, while staying accessible to family audiences. With Pandey’s reputation for taut storytelling and Hashmi stepping into a more restrained, intense avatar, ‘Taskaree’ is expected to offer a fresh dynamic to the thriller genre on streaming platforms.

As anticipation builds following the trailer launch, the series is being positioned as a departure from familiar tropes, aiming to showcase a new side of both its lead actor and its creator’s storytelling approach.