Netflix has given us two limited episodes Web Series – Taskaree and Kohraa Season 2. Both draw attention for different reasons.

Taskaree (smuggling) is a Neeraj Pandey production about how the Customs Officers work day and night to bust the smugglers’ web at the Mumbai International Airport. The Series tries to show that the way the Customs nab the “couriers” who smuggle in gold and other expensive items into the country, as part of an elaborate network, is almost at par with that of undercover agents. They have their inside informers and moles and how even the retired officers of the Department remain active in serving the nation.

The drama that unfolds is interesting with the usual twists and turns and love angles to boot. But what actually and sadly it brings forth is how corrupt even the most idealists are. How easy it is to get to the kingpin who is in fact a-good-guy-turned-into-a-mafia-don if you have a handful of bravehearts amidst a compromised system. 

However, while watching the series the only word which comes to mind is plastic. Everything is so make-believe that it fails to thrill and keep the viewers glued.

I am a Neeraj Pandey fan from his  oh-so-thought-provoking  “A Wednesday” days but now that he has become a wholesaler of spy thrillers the oft-repeated cheap thrill gimmick is what is robbing the charm and seriousness of his productions.

In contrast is Kohraa (fog) Season 2,   a gritty, gripping and very much rooted in the soil of the Punjab Series. SI Dhanwant Kaur of Dalerpura PS, assisted by ASI Amarpal Jasjit Garundi, is given charge of investigating the murder of a woman in her brother’s barn. In spite of remaining suspended from work for a year her Departmental Head is sympathetic towards Dhanwant and hands her the case so that she can make a comeback of sorts.

Gunjit Chopra, the writer of the Series, shows how difficult it is for the police to work at a stretch for ungodly hours despite having to deal with their troubled pasts, dysfunctional family relations and personal losses. It also presents a harrowing picture of what it is to be poor in a society still very much in the holds of feaudalism and what it is to hold your ground as a woman in a system steeped in patriarchy. This Series is madly understated in its evocation of and response to emotional turmoil. But at the same time it makes the viewers wince with the sharpness of pain and anguish of a mother who is grieving the tragic and untimely death of her young son and the dilemma of a husband who is unable to confess his past intimacy to his wife whom he loves dearly.

Though the climax is a little simplistic and even somewhat didactic, the Series in Punjabi, can be watched with the help of subtitles.

Posted by on February 22, 2026 in REVIEW, Talking Of Dramas and tagged , , .

27 Comments

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About gc1963

A working woman with interests in reading, writing, music, poetry and fine arts.

27 responses »

  1. philosophy through photography's avatar philosophy through photography says:
    February 22, 2026 at 4:13 am

    Interesting narration and the way you expressed the comparison between the two.
    One felt staged to you, the other felt lived in. I appreciate how thoughtfully you broke it down.

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  2. Glowith – Glow Every Day, Grow Every Way's avatar Glowith – Glow Every Day, Grow Every Way says:
    February 22, 2026 at 4:17 am

    While Taskaree had an interesting premise, it does feel somewhat surface-level despite Neeraj Pandey’s legacy since A Wednesday. In contrast, Kohraa Season 2 stands out for its rooted, emotionally layered storytelling. Subtle yet powerful.

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  3. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:
    February 22, 2026 at 5:13 am

    These sound interesting. I wonder if they are available in Pakistan too?

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  4. Rupali's avatar Rupali says:
    February 22, 2026 at 8:33 am

    I remember A Wednesday for Naseeruddin Shah’s acting.

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  5. aparnachillycupcakes's avatar aparnachillycupcakes says:
    February 22, 2026 at 9:57 am

    To be frank … none of them hit the chord for me … the mystery factor that I was looking forward in Kohra 2 was not that intriguing as in Kohra season 1 .
    As far as Taskharee is concerned it’s on watchlist !!! Thanks for backing it up 😇
    Recently have started watching series by – Hoichoi production house (try them if u can)

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  6. Veerites's avatar Veerites says:
    February 23, 2026 at 6:43 am

    Dear Geeta Ji,
    Thanks 🙏 I have seen Tuskaree 🌹

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  7. shail's avatar shail says:
    February 23, 2026 at 2:03 pm

    I am watching Kohraa now and agree with you. The other one is not in my list 🙂

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  8. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:
    March 7, 2026 at 3:05 pm

    these sound like good series, I’m not sure if they are available in Ireland, on our netflix, xo

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