Hunkkaar Review: Aneet Padda Leads Uneven Legal Drama
Hunkkaar: The Roar, the six-part JioHotstar series, puts Aneet Padda in a considerably darker role following her breakthrough with Saiyaara. Directed by Nitya Mehra and Karan D. Kapadia, the crime drama centers on 17-year-old Meenu Rawat, who accuses a powerful spiritual leader of sexual assault. Her allegation sets off a conflict involving law enforcement, the courts, the media and the wider community.
Set in the fictional Madhya Pradesh town of Kharganj, the series examines what happens when an influential religious figure faces a serious accusation. Its strongest moments come when the story focuses on Meenu’s experiences after she speaks out. The social judgment directed at her is portrayed through seemingly ordinary situations, showing how quickly suspicion can shift toward an accuser rather than the allegation itself.
The investigation provides several engaging sequences, particularly Meenu’s repeated attempts to give her statement before ACP Jasleen Soni, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh. The courtroom and investigative portions also help maintain momentum. However, the series introduces several parallel storylines that are not explored with equal depth. The administrative pressure faced by Jasleen, the journalist’s involvement and conflicts within Baapji’s family all offer promising possibilities but receive limited development.
The show’s restrained visual approach works well with its small-town setting. Rather than relying heavily on melodrama, the directors often allow tense situations and character interactions to carry the emotional weight. Still, the screenplay becomes a major limitation as the narrative moves between the investigation, legal proceedings, media coverage and personal conflicts.
Aneet Padda is central to the series and delivers a subtle performance as Meenu. She communicates the character’s fear and changing resolve through expressions, pauses and restrained reactions. Fatima Sana Shaikh brings controlled intensity to ACP Jasleen, while Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub adds energy as lawyer Bhalerao. Raghubir Yadav stands out in the unsettling role of Baapji, while Ram Kapoor makes an impression. Arjun Mathur, however, has comparatively less to work with because of his character’s limited development.
Ultimately, Hunkkaar: The Roar has a socially relevant premise, a convincing setting and several strong performances. Its six-episode structure, however, leaves some narrative threads insufficiently developed. The result is a drama with compelling individual moments but an inconsistent overall screenplay.
