PLOT: When a teenager accuses a revered cult leader of sexual assault, it sparks a national conflict. As the truth unravels, the line between faith and justice blurs.
Hunkkaar: The Roar is a crime thriller web series directed by Nitya Mehra and Karan D. Kapadia. Produced by Applause Entertainment and Birla Studios in association with Mangata Films and Purple Pebble Pictures. The series was released on JioHotstar on 25 September 2026.
Star Cast:
Aneet Padda as Meenu Rawat
Fatima Sana Shaikh as ACP Jasleen Singh Soin
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Babban Rao Bhalerao
Arjun Mathur as Amitabh Sinha
Raghubir Yadav as Sunil Chakosi / Baap ji
Ram Kapoor as Govind Ved Prakash
Rajesh Sharma as Dharampal Rawat
Zoya Hussain as Shivani
Charu Shankar as Meenu’s Mother
Veen as Kashyap
Seema Biswas as Judge
WEB SERIES REVIEW: Hunkkaar – The Roar is a powerful courtroom drama that takes a familiar subject and approaches it from a somewhat different angle. The result is an impactful and uncomfortable watch that is elevated by strong direction, committed performances, and several memorable sequences. However, its impact is somewhat diluted by the excessive runtime, an overcrowded narrative, multiple subplots, uneven pacing and a few developments that don’t entirely convince.
The biggest strength of Hunkkaar is the way the writing, direction and performances come together. The story of Hunkkaar is inspired by real events, and that itself gives the narrative an unsettling sense of relevance. The subject isn’t new. Indian cinema and streaming platform have already explored the exploitation carried out by godmen through titles such as Aashram, Maharaj and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. However, Hunkkaar distinguishes itself by putting the courtroom proceedings at the centre of the narrative.
The screenplay is largely absorbing and manages to hold attention, particularly during the courtroom sequences. The dialogues are another highlight, they are impactful and noticeably different from the usual treatment seen in films and shows dealing with similar subjects. However, the writing isn’t equally sharp throughout. The middle portion feels stretched, with too many characters and subplots competing for attention.
The direction gives the courtroom sequences the required intensity without turning every confrontation into unnecessary melodrama. The dialogues deserve special mention here. They are hard-hitting without sounding generic, and several exchanges stay with you even after the episode ends. That said, the effectiveness of these sequences is occasionally undermined by the show’s length. A sharper edit could have made the proceedings more impactful and maintained the tension more consistently.
Aneet Padda delivers the standout performance. She handles a demanding & emotionally difficult role with impressive maturity & conviction. Fatima Sana Shaikh also puts in a committed performance. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub & Arjun Mathur were impressive. Ram Kapoor & Seema Biswas deliver dependable performances, while Raghubir Yadav is excellent in his part. Rajesh Sharma & Charu Shankar are effective. Zoya Hussain and the rest of the supporting cast are good in their respective roles.
Hunkkaar – The Roar Rating:
Direction 3.5/5
Acting 3.5/5
Editing 2.5/5
Story 3.5/5
Screenplay 3.5/5
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 3.3 out of 5 Stars (Good)
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