If youve been scrolling through streaming platforms in search of your next espionage fix, chances are the title Salakaar might have popped up. With its intriguing premise and a cast featuring Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, Mukesh Rishi, and Surya Sharma, its marketed as a tribute to Indias legendary spymaster, Ajit Doval. Sounds promising, right? Sadly, while the setup hints at an Argo meets Indian intelligence kind of ride, the execution falls short in more ways than one.
In this detailed Salakaar review, well break down what the show gets right, where it stumbles, and why its short runtime might be its biggest blessing.
The Basics: Cast, Crew, and Platform
Before diving into the details, lets get the essentials out of the way:
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Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, Mukesh Rishi, Surya Sharma, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Ashwath Bhatt
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Director: Faruk Kabir
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Platform: JioHotstar
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Runtime: 5 episodes, ~30 minutes each (about 2.5 hours total)
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Rating:
On paper, this sounds like a tight, engaging espionage package. In reality, the brisk runtime feels less like a stylistic choice and more like a mercy for viewers.
A Tale of Two Timelines
The storytelling approach in Salakaar uses a dual timeline structure:
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Present Day (2025): RAW agent Maryam, alias Srishti (Mouni Roy), is tasked with stopping Pakistani Colonel Ashfaqullah (Surya Sharma) from completing a nuclear bomb project. Shes aided by the titular salakaarIndias National Security Advisor (Purnendu Sharma)who has a personal history with the Colonel.
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Flashback (1978): We see the NSA in his younger days as field operative Adhir Dayal (played by Naveen Kasturia), on a covert mission in Pakistan to prevent General Zia-ul-Haq (Mukesh Rishi) from developing a nuclear reactor.
This setup could have been thrillinga blend of modern espionage with historical intrigue. Unfortunately, the treatment robs both timelines of depth and suspense.
Where Youve Seen This Before
If parts of Salakaar feel familiar, thats because they are. The plot touches on themes already explored in films and shows like Mission Majnu, Rocket Boys, and the upcoming Saare Jahan Se Acha. The difference? Those productions either leaned on emotional depth, historical detail, or cinematic scale to stand out.
Here, Salakaar had one chance to differentiate itselfthrough execution. But thats where things start to unravel.
Fast, But Not Furious
One thing you cant fault Salakaar for is its pace. The show moves quickly, with back-to-back action and minimal downtime. This is great if youre looking for a casual weekend binge that doesnt require much emotional investment.
However, speed comes at a cost. The show sacrifices:
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Character development: We dont get enough time to truly understand or connect with the characters.
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Emotional stakes: Without depth, high-tension moments feel hollow.
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Story complexity: Complex spy plots need breathing room; here, everything feels rushed.
This makes you wonderwould Salakaar have worked better as a feature film with a bigger budget and more cinematic scope? Possibly.
The Realism Problem
Espionage dramas live or die by their authenticity. Unfortunately, Salakaar repeatedly breaks the immersion with glaring inaccuracies and lazy detailing.
Some standout slip-ups:
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Colonels driving vehicles designated for Generals.
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Referring to the High Commission as an Embassy (they are not the same).
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Covert operations carried out in plain sight.
These might seem minor to casual viewers, but for a show marketed as inspired by real intelligence history, theyre serious credibility killers. Think of it like a surgeon showing up to the operating room with gardening glovesit just doesnt inspire confidence.
Tone Trouble: Argo or Kingsman?
Another big issue is the shows inconsistent tone. At times, Salakaar tries to be a gritty, high-stakes political thriller akin to Argo. Other times, it veers into cartoonish territorythink Kingsman, but without the self-awareness or charm.
For example, our spy hero uses buckteeth and over-the-top accents as part of his disguise. Its hard to take tense infiltration scenes seriously when your lead looks like hes auditioning for a slapstick comedy.
The Performances: Hits and Misses
If theres one saving grace for Salakaar, its some of the cast performances:
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Naveen Kasturia (Adhir Dayal): Surprisingly adept at action and effortlessly believable as a younger NSA. He brings a grounded presence, even when the script doesnt do him any favors.
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Mouni Roy (Maryam/Srishti): Criminally underutilized. Despite playing a trained RAW agent, shes often reduced to a damsel-in-distress role. Still, she squeezes moments of vulnerability and strength from limited material.
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Mukesh Rishi (General Zia): The surprise powerhouse. His menacing screen presence gives the show a genuine sense of threat.
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Surya Sharma & Ashwath Bhatt: Talented actors pushed into exaggerated performances, which undermines their potential impact.
Direction and Execution
Director Faruk Kabir clearly intended Salakaar as both a gripping spy series and a heartfelt tribute to Ajit Doval. Unfortunately, the tribute aspect suffers because the execution never matches the ambition.
For a show meant to glorify a legendary figure, the lack of precision in storytelling and detail almost feels disrespectful to the subject matter.
The Tribute That Wasnt
Everything from Purnendu Sharmas appearance to Naveen Kasturias fictionalized role nods to Ajit Doval. But heres the problem with tributesif theyre not done with enough care, they can end up feeling hollow. Salakaar wants to honor Dovals legacy but fails to capture the skill, intelligence, and gravitas that made him legendary.
The Verdict
Salakaar isnt unwatchableits just painfully average. The short runtime works in its favor, the pacing keeps you from getting bored, and some performances (especially Mukesh Rishis) elevate certain scenes.
But if youre looking for a sharp, realistic, and emotionally engaging spy thriller, youll walk away disappointed. The search for Indias Argo continues.
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Conclusion
In the crowded world of OTT espionage dramas, Salakaar had the ingredients for success: an intriguing premise, a talented cast, and a real-life inspiration worth celebrating. But sloppy detailing, inconsistent tone, and lack of emotional depth keep it from reaching its potential.
Its a decent weekend watch if youre after light, fast-paced spy action and can overlook its flaws. But for fans of the genre seeking precision, tension, and depththis mission is a miss.
