For Raghav M Jairath, directing Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, a thriller set in the world of customs officers, was not about sensationalising crime. Neither was it about simplifying smuggling into a binary of good versus evil. “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,” says Jairath, who has co-directed the Emraan Hashmi and Sharad Kelkar-starrer with creator Neeraj Pandey.
The Netflix series is Jairath’s latest collaboration with Pandey over their 10-year association. He admits that working with the filmmaker has influenced his directorial instincts. He recalls a particular instance. “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.”
As he aimed to build a realistic world for Taskaree, Jairath was certain that exaggerated performances had no place in his storytelling, making Hashmi the perfect fit. He adds, “Emraan is deeply prepared but instinctive. He comes in knowing the spine of a scene, and then stays open to the moment.”
Neeraj Pandey and Raghav M Jairath’s collaborations:
. ‘Baby’
. ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’
. ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’
. ‘Special Ops’
. ‘Special Ops 1.5’
. ‘Secrets of The Buddha Relics’
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