Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, Mukesh Rishi, Surya Sharma, Ashwath Bhatt, Creator: Faruk Kabir, Director: Faruk Kabir, Streaming On: JioHotstar, Language: Hindi, Runtime: 5 episodes of 30 minutes each.
There’s a well-known Sanskrit saying – “Ati Sarvatra Varjayet” – which loosely translates to, “Too much of anything is harmful.” Right now, that perfectly sums up the overdose of spy thrillers! Honestly, I’m about 10 minutes away from waving a white flag if one more Spy Universe pops up. The latest entrant? Salakaar – featuring Naveen Kasturia and Mouni Roy sneaking into Pakistan in the middle of a nuclear mission. Yes, another one!
Created and directed by Faruk Kabir, this web series seems to be a film that was later very badly edited into five episodes to accomodate the space of a web series, no idea why! Even the trailer felt like a film but it was later revealed to be a web series!
Be it a film or a web series, one thing is non-negotiable – a solid storyline and even stronger writing. Salakaar manages to check the first box, but completely fumbles the second. The premise is genuinely intriguing, and the initial 20 minutes build tension quite well. But then, everything comes crashing down. The narrative collapses into chaos, leaving behind nothing but creative ruins – so broken, they’re beyond repair.
Salakaar Review:About
Salakaar unfolds across two timelines. In 2025, RAW agent Maryam—real name Srishti—played by Mouni Roy, is on a mission to uncover a secret plan involving a nuclear bomb being developed by Pakistani Colonel Ashfaqullah (Surya Sharma). Assisting her is National Security Advisor Purnendu Sharma, who shares a mysterious link with the Colonel.
Needed more substance.
Doesn’t feel real at points.I think they made #Salakaar a movie. After making they realized ki it is not gonna work so made it into series. The Ending is a mix of “ARGO + BABY + BELL BOTTOM”
ONE LINE : GOOD, but Could have been better. ENJOYED THOUGH. pic.twitter.com/nMsyu8Hx5l
— KD 🇮🇳 (@dwivedikaustuv) August 7, 2025
The second timeline reveals the real identity of Purnendu Sharma: he’s actually Naveen Kasturia, a RAW agent operating undercover in Pakistan as Dayal Sharma. His goal? To stop General Zia (Mukesh Rishi) from building a nuclear reactor.
So yes, the basic premise sounds gripping—on paper. But beyond that, the series spirals into absurdity, portraying Pakistan in such a ridiculously dim light that it borders on parody.
Works
The biggest relief Salakaar offers is its runtime — five episodes, each around 30 minutes. Not because it’s gripping, but because, thankfully, it ends quickly. The core issue with Faruk Kabir’s film-turned-series lies in its lazy writing. The attempt to stir patriotic emotions comes off as embarrassingly juvenile, reducing the neighbouring country to a caricature of stupidity. At one point, I genuinely felt like shouting “Hindustan Zindabad!”—just to wrap this up and move on.
Star Performance
As the young protagonist, Naveen Kasturia does his best to carry the weight of Salakaar. He brings a quiet intensity and sincerity to a role that’s severely underwritten. His effort is evident, but the material doesn’t support him enough. Surprisingly, it’s Mukesh Rishi, playing the Pakistani General, who steals the spotlight—at least for the limited time he’s on screen. He exudes the authority and presence the entire show lacks.
The biggest letdown, however, is Mouni Roy’s Sakshi. And no, that’s not a typo—I’m calling it out exactly as it is. Her character lacks depth, purpose, and impact, making her performance feel flat and forgettable.
What Doesn’t Work
Salakaar promised a gripping cat-and-mouse game between Indian and Pakistani intelligence teams. What it delivered, instead, is a masterclass in how not to make a spy thriller. The biggest irony? The one thing completely missing from this so-called thriller is the thrill itself.
What starts as a strong concept quickly crumbles under lazy writing, cliché-ridden plotting, and a complete misunderstanding of what makes this genre tick. Rather than building tension, the story drags, becoming exhausting to sit through. The tension, mystery, and suspense—elements that define spy dramas—are nowhere to be found. We’ve seen it all done better in Mission Majnu and Raazi, and Salakaar feels like an uninspired knockoff of both.
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The 1978 timeline initially shows promise with its historical angle, but it descends into juvenile absurdity. Characters make illogical decisions that leave you baffled, and the series often veers so far into mocking Pakistan that it forgets to tell a coherent story.
And let’s talk about the most uncomfortable trope of them all: the hyper-sexualized female spy. Again?! Using Mouni Roy’s character as bait for seduction rather than strategy is not just lazy—it’s offensive. Are we really watching a RAW officer rely on her body, not her brain, to carry out a mission? What universe is this—50 Shades of Espionage?
In the end, Salakaar is a spy thriller that forgot how to spy and never bothered to thrill. It’s genuinely painful to watch a strong premise crash and burn like this—along with a talented cast that deserved far better. They were on a mission to deliver mediocrity, and I was on a mission to stay awake… until I finally surrendered.
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