Known for his versatile portrayals of morally complex characters, actor Emraan Hashmi is once again making headlines with his latest performance in the Netflix series, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web. In a recent series of interviews following the show’s successful release on January 14, 2026, Hashmi opened up about what drew him to the role of Superintendent Arjun Meena, a disciplined and sharp-witted customs officer.
For an actor who has spent decades playing “bad boys,” spies, and gangsters, the shift to a uniformed law enforcement official—specifically within the Customs Department—was a deliberate choice. Hashmi revealed that the primary hook was the “unexplored” nature of the world depicted in the show.
“Playing a customs officer was a completely new world for me,” Hashmi shared. He pointed out that while Indian cinema has a long history of celebrating the police, the army, and intelligence agencies, the Indian Customs Service has largely remained in the background. “I don’t know why, but this is one law enforcement body on which no major film or show had been made. When I read the script, it felt fresh. It wasn’t just about chasing criminals; it was about the intelligence, the research, and the sheer intuition required to spot something suspicious in a crowded airport.”
Hashmi noted that his character, Arjun Meena, is a departure from the “loud bravado” often seen in crime thrillers. Instead, Meena is a man of restraint who relies on observation and psychological profiling—a trait Hashmi found fascinating during his preparation.
The collaboration with acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey was another significant factor. Hashmi admitted that he was “completely sold” after a mere two-and-a-half-minute narration. He later “binge-read” the episodes, finding himself hooked by the realistic portrayal of how international smuggling syndicates operate.
“The show doesn’t rely on mindless action. It’s a nuts-and-bolts investigation,” Hashmi explained. “Neeraj gives a unique spin to the thriller format. You’re expecting one thing, and then something comes from left field and catches you completely unaware.”
Interestingly, Hashmi’s interest in the role was partly fueled by his own experiences. He jokingly recalled how, in the early 2000s, he was often stopped by customs officials during his travels. “I’d feel like I was carrying contraband even when I just had clothes! Maybe it was the earrings or the look I had back then,” he laughed.
To bring authenticity to Arjun Meena, Hashmi spent time observing real-life officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. He learned that the job is less about “green or red channels” and more about reading body language and patterns—a skill he meticulously integrated into his performance. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
