Hunkkaar Review: This Hotstar series is built around an uncomfortable premise that is not unknown to many in the country. Following the assault of a minor at the hands of a godman, the series showcases the manipulation in our society that explores power, faith, influence and the voices caught within them. From the moment Meenu enters the police station, it ignites a shocking tale that gets under your skin thanks to the fantastic performances and no-nonsense storytelling.
Directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, and stars Fatima Sana Shaikh, Zeeshan Ayyub, Raghubir Yadav, Aneet Padda and Arjun Mathur. The series consists of 6 episodes.
Hunkkaar Review
A Story About What Happens After Someone Speaks Up
Taking place after Meenu’s assault at her school at the hands of influential spiritual figure Sunil “Baapji” Chakosi, the series escalates the tension from the first episode, highlighting the atrocities that young girls have to face just to exist in society. Taking advantage of her vulnerability, Hunkkaar highlights how her behaviour, choices and her credibility are brought under a microscope, while the entire country roots for the perpetrator.
It’s not a straightforward crime thriller in that it showcases how, if a woman doesn’t adhere to society’s unfair rules and expectations, then she is automatically assumed to be guilty. It adds another layer and lets viewers ponder the different ways society makes it difficult for people to get justice.
Around every corner, the series questions what happens when someone whose influence extends beyond the individual accusation is challenged with a shocking accusation. The answer to the question is simple yet difficult and leaves viewers with a heavy heart. The story isn’t just an exploration of a disgusting crime, but also of the power at the centre of it.
Aneet Padda Gets a Very Different Role After Saiyaara
Hunkkaar sees a very different side to Padda, whom we last saw in Saiyaara. Young, vulnerable and placed in an impossible situation, her role is complex. As a young girl, she’s going through difficult changes herself, and a situation like this makes things all the more complicated. The series highlights how something this life-changing can turn a young girl’s life upside down, all the while trying to live a normal life. The uncertainty, confusion and pressure that she has to go through show in her eyes, making us root for her all the more.
Other than Padda, we have the no-nonsense cop Jasleen, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh, whose own perspective and investigation add another layer to the story. Shaikh shows no emotions, but her steely attitude hides the passion that she feels to uphold the law, especially when it’s a child who needs justice. She’s sincere, and it shows, adding to the thrill of watching the story unfold. With her is Zeeshan Ayyub’s Bhalerao, whose mere presence makes Meenu’s struggle feel a bit less formidable. He plays the underdog lawyer well and makes viewers root for him in the court.
Raghubir Yadav is fantastic as Baapji. His presence is uncomfortable, and he toes the line between evil and godly so well, you feel instantly off centre. Thankfully, he does a great job of not exaggerating his character and keeps himself restrained.
The Media Becomes Another Battleground
Another interesting point of the series, something that other forms of media have discussed time and time again in such stories, is how important the media is in these situations. Played by Arjun Mathur, Amitabh Sinha is a surprisingly positive influence in the entire thing, being the pillar of society that the media is supposed to be. However, there are moments when his presence becomes a hindrance to the case and its success. The series explores what happens when a high-profile case reaches millions through the media and the public perception that it creates. The series balances its various elements in a story like this, highlighting the different moving parts that make a situation like this all the more complex.
Where Hunkkaar Could Stumble
While Hunkkaar does a great job of not turning the series into a predictable and overdramatic fest, the series is surprisingly watchable, with many facets working alongside the crime storyline. The series is short enough so that the pacing doesn’t falter, and there’s always something or the other that keeps the story from getting stagnant. However, viewers might find themselves skipping forward in some situations. The courtroom scenes are quite interesting, with Zeeshan Ayyub butting heads with Ram Kapoor. After his stint in Lock Upp 2, Kapoor’s eccentric performance stands out and is a rather hilarious distraction.
Final Verdict
In the end, Hunkkaar is a thrilling watch that gets under your skin as we see the various moving parts of the story. The series does a great job of showcasing that the battle sometimes starts after a case has been filed and the impact that such a high-profile case can have on vulnerable victims. While this story at least has some positive influences besides Meenu, reality is far more depressing and dangerous. This is a serious watch that will stay with you for a long time.
Watch all the episodes of Hunkkaar: The Roar on JioHotstar. What did you think about the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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