Salakaar Review: Short Runtime Is Its Only Win

Salakaar could have been a good film, but instead, it’s a five-episode web series with each episode lasting around 30 minutes. Thankfully, the total runtime is just 2.5 hours. That’s the only relief because the show, sadly, fails to keep viewers hooked.

What’s the Story?

The series follows two timelines. In 2025, RAW agent Maryam (Mouni Roy) is trying to stop a Pakistani colonel from making a nuclear bomb. She gets help from the National Security Advisor, who has a history with the colonel. The flashback shows his past as a spy in 1978, played by Naveen Kasturia.

What Went Wrong?

The story feels old and predictable. We’ve already seen similar plots in shows like Mission Majnu and Rocket Boys. Salakaar moves quickly but never builds strong characters or deep emotions. It lacks the detail and quality expected from a modern spy thriller.

There are also many errors—military ranks are mixed up, embassies are wrongly named, and secret missions are done openly. For a show claiming to be based on real events, these mistakes are hard to ignore.

Performances

Naveen Kasturia is good in action scenes. Mukesh Rishi stands out as General Zia, bringing intensity to the screen. Mouni Roy, however, is underused, despite playing a spy. Other actors are made to overact, which weakens the overall feel of the show.

Final Word

Salakaar is supposed to be a tribute to NSA Ajit Doval, but it doesn’t do justice to his story. The series tries to be serious like Argo but ends up being confusing and unrealistic. Only its short length makes it bearable.

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