Salakaar Review (JioHotstar): Another JioHotstar specials series that delves into India-Pakistan espionage, blending real events, covert missions, and political drama. The series will hook you in with two critical timelines: 1978 and 2025. The show is inspired by real-life nuclear power, which changed the entire subcontinental geopolitics. Many viewers have found the show very promising; however, few find it too extended. What’s the truth? Let’s find out in this Salakaar review.
Baap of Movies Rating:
Plot Summary: From Islamabad to Abbottabad
Salakaar opens with a scene that features a tense exchange in a Pakistani cemetery. Colonel Ashfaq Ullah (played by Surya Sharma) eliminates a man who hands him blueprints of a secret nuclear plant in Kahuta. This scene builds the tone of the coming episodes. On the other hand, Mariam (played by Mouni Roy), posing as a tuition teacher, is actually RAW agent Shristi Chaturvedi. She infiltrates Ashfaq’s inner circle using spyglasses to capture the plans.
The scene then takes us to India, where the National Security Advisor Adhir Dayal (played by Purnendu Bhattacharya) realises he’s seen this file before, and we’re taken to 1978. In 1978, younger Dayal (played by Naveen Kasturia) was undercover in Pakistan with the simple mission: stop the creation of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb.
The narrative switches between timelines, and it beautifully unravels how past actions haunt the present.
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JioHotstar’s Salakaar Review: Key Performances in Salakaar
Naveen Kasturia was again seen in his old form, where he delivers a compelling performance as the younger Dayal. He is shown as quiet, calculating, and conflicted, and he completely owns the screen.
Mouni Roy, however, was disappointing; though she looks perfect in her look and style, she is written into a weak “damsel-in-distress” mould. Her spy arc could’ve used more depth.
Surya Sharma as Ashfaq is chillingly believable, and he did a decent job of keeping your attention.
Mukesh Rishi can be the major factor of this show, as he adds gravitas as a senior RAW operative.
Direction & Execution
Faruk Kabir, who is popularly known for Khuda Haafiz, tries to blend an emotional, political, and historical narrative. The visuals are authentic, especially the 1970s flashbacks, and it covers minute historical nods like a subplot about Kapil Dev’s visa before his 1978 debut. However, the direction slips at times into melodrama and uneven pacing.
What Works
- Historical depth — The show has extra depth, and it is best suited for someone who likes watching geopolitical shows.
- Tense storytelling — The 1978 timeline crackles with suspense, and the flashback is insane.
- Quick binge — The show is not too extended, as it features only five 30-minute episodes, which makes it easy weekend content.
- Undercover realism — The Ajit Doval-inspired storyline adds real-world credibility.
What Went Wrong with Salakaar
- Weak present-day timeline: Though the flashback was the highlight, the 2025 story lacks urgency because Mariam’s rescue is too drawn out.
- Plot holes & logic gaps: The nuclear plant explosion has left a spy nearly unharmed, which is quite shocking; it could have a more realistic storyline.
- Geographical errors: One major setback is that Kahuta, which is a lush Himalayan zone, is shown barren, and it looks more like Balochistan than Rawalpindi.
Where to watch Salakaar?
All 5 episodes of Salakaar were launched on 8th August on Jio Hotstar. The free version of it has plenty of ads. If you are seeking a free experience, then you must give the paid version a try.
Hotstar Specials Salakaar Trailer
The Salakar trailer, with its insane dialogue and commentary, won the hearts of the viewers. The show’s trailer takes us to a flashback and shows a beautiful connection to the current scenario. Watch the Salakar trailer now to get a hint about what is going to come in the show.
Baap of Movies Final Verdict on Salakaar
Overall, if you are going to watch Salakaar and you are a geopolitical enthusiast, then this show is for you. Ignoring a few writing flaws, the flashback scenes of the movie are insane. And, given its 150-minute total run time, it could be your perfect partner this weekend.
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