‘Hunkkaar’ Series Review: Aneet Padda and Fatima Sana Shaikh Shine in a Gritty, Mixed-Bag Legal Thriller
Directed by Karan Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, the new six-part legal crime thriller 'Hunkkaar: The Roar' on JioHotstar has opened to mixed reviews, with critics praising its compelling premise and lead performances while pointing out flaws in its pacing and execution.
The legal crime thriller Hunkkaar: The Roar, starring Aneet Padda and Fatima Sana Shaikh, has premiered on streaming platforms, drawing a mixed response from film and television critics. Directed by Karan Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, the six-part series focuses on a minor’s legal battle against an influential spiritual leader accused of assault. While reviewers praise the lead performances and the story's grounded handling of victim-shaming and institutional pressure, many note that an uneven screenplay keeps the drama from reaching its full potential. ‘Hunkkaar’ Teaser: Aneet Padda and Fatima Sana Shaikh Lead Gritty Crime Thriller; Fans React.
‘Hunkkaar’ Review
Critics broadly agree that the show's main strength lies in its central performances, particularly from Aneet Padda as the survivor, Meenu. Reviewers highlight Padda's restrained portrayal, noting how she captures her character's vulnerability, fear, and ultimate resolve without relying on over-dramatic tropes. Supporting cast members, including Fatima Sana Shaikh as a determined investigating officer, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as a defence-minded lawyer, and Raghubir Yadav as the eerie, soft-spoken godman, have also received praise for adding weight to the narrative.
Despite strong acting, media outlets point out that the series suffers from familiar tropes and pacing issues. Reviewers note that while Hunkkaar effectively explores social scrutiny and the double standards faced by crime victims, the writing frequently introduces subplots, such as political rivalries and institutional corruption, without developing them fully.
Watch the Trailer of ‘Hunkkaar’:
Several reviews draw comparisons to existing dramas about powerful cult figures, concluding that while Hunkkaar offers a realistic look at public perception versus legal proceedings, its execution feels fragmented in later episodes.
ToI: "Ultimately, Hunkkaar is a promising series that falls short of its potential. Its subject is powerful, its setting feels convincing, and the performances—particularly those of Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Raghubir Yadav—give the narrative considerable weight. But too many underdeveloped characters, convenient narrative choices and unresolved threads dilute the impact."
Moneycontrol: "Hunkkaar feels like a series that never fully commits to the story it has chosen to tell. The writing leaves too many important threads hanging. Soni’s pressure from the administration is barely addressed, Baapji’s darker side is only touched upon, Shivani’s hostility towards Baapji’s son is not developed, and Meenu’s determination to see Baapji behind bars never gets the emotional force it needs. The problem is not a lack of material. It is that the series keeps moving from one element to another without giving enough attention to any of them."
Koimoi: "Hunkkaar: The Roar doesn’t roar, but whatever it does, it gets saved entirely on the strength of Aneet Padda and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s performances. This could have worked so much better if it had something more to say. Anything! In one of the scenes, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub’s lawyer tells Aneet Padda‘s Meenu, “Never apologise for being correct. If you are right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one. The truth is still the truth!” This should have been such a powerful way to tell a story!"
Mid-Day: "Hunkkaar raises an important conversation around victim-shaming, patriarchy and faith, backed by strong performances and a compelling premise. However, its uneven pacing, repetitive writing and predictable conclusion keep it from delivering the hard-hitting impact it promises."
More About ‘Hunkkaar: The Roar’
Created as a social-legal thriller, Hunkkaar: The Roar follows the fallout when Meenu, a young girl, files a complaint under the POCSO Act against a widely revered spiritual leader known as "Baapji". The story tracks the intense public backlash, media trials, and police investigations that follow, exploring how social influence and public devotion complicate the search for legal accountability. Aneet Padda, Ahaan Panday’s Hilarious Now-Deleted ‘Gali Gali’ Dance Video Goes Viral.
The project marks another major streaming appearance for lead actor Aneet Padda following her breakout role in Saiyaara. Produced as a six-episode limited series, Hunkkaar: The Roar is currently available for streaming on JioHotstar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 01:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
