Salakaar Review: A Fast-Paced Spy Thriller That Sacrifices Depth for Speed.

Salakaar Review:In the crowded world of OTT thrillers, Salakaar arrives promising high-stakes espionage, political intrigue, and a tribute to India’s most celebrated spymaster. Starring Naveen Kasturia and Mouni Roy, this five-episode miniseries races through its 2.5-hour runtime with relentless pace. But in its rush to keep viewers hooked, Salakaar sacrifices depth, realism, and emotional connection — leaving you entertained in the moment, yet unsatisfied in the end.

Salakaar Review and Quick Summary

• Genre: Spy Thriller / Drama
• Platform: OTT (Miniseries)
• Episodes: 5 (Approx. 30 mins each)
• Director: Faruk Kabir
• Main Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mouni Roy, Mukesh Rishi, Surya Sharma
• Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)

Salakaar – The Premise

Salakaar unfolds in two timelines – the present day (2025) and a significant flashback to 1978.

• In 2025, RAW agent Maryam aka Srishti (Mouni Roy) is on a mission to stop Pakistani Colonel Ashfaqullah (Surya Sharma) from building a nuclear bomb. She works closely with India’s National Security Advisor (Purnendu Sharma), nicknamed the “Salakaar.”
• In 1978, the NSA is shown in his younger days as Adhir Dayal (Naveen Kasturia), a RAW field operative in Pakistan working to prevent General Zia (Mukesh Rishi) from developing a nuclear reactor.

The concept is inspired by real intelligence missions and is meant to be a tribute to NSA Ajit Doval’s legendary operations. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

The Good, The Bad, and The Missed Opportunities

What Works

1. Short and Crisp Format – At just 2.5 hours in total, it doesn’t drag like many bloated OTT thrillers.
2. Naveen Kasturia’s Performance – Believable as a field agent, brings energy to action sequences.
3. Mukesh Rishi’s Presence – His portrayal of General Zia is intense and imposing.
4. Relentless Pace – The quick cuts and continuous action keep you from getting bored.

What Doesn’t Work

1. Lack of Character Depth – We barely connect emotionally with any of the characters.
2. Poor Realism & Inaccuracies – Military ranks, diplomatic terms, and covert operation methods are factually off.
3. Mouni Roy’s Underutilization – A talented actress reduced to a “damsel in distress” trope.
4. Over-the-Top Elements – Unnecessary disguises, exaggerated accents, and unrealistic scenarios.
5. No Balanced Tone – The series is caught between gritty realism and comic-book spy action, achieving neither convincingly.

Pacing vs. Depth – The Core Problem

One of OTT’s biggest strengths is its ability to explore character arcs and nuanced storytelling. Salakaar throws that advantage away for the sake of keeping things moving.

Instead of slowly revealing backstories, moral conflicts, and psychological tension, it races from scene to scene. This works for a popcorn action movie but feels shallow in a spy drama where emotional stakes are everything.

In fact, the show might have worked better as a two-hour film with a bigger budget and cinematic scale.

The Realism Problem

In modern espionage dramas like Argo or Bridge of Spies, accuracy is a key factor. Salakaar, however, has glaring lapses:

• A colonel driving a general’s designated vehicle.
• Calling a High Commission an Embassy (a diplomatic no-no).
• Supposed “covert” operations carried out in broad daylight.

These may seem minor to a casual viewer, but for a show claiming to depict a “true story,” such details break immersion.

Performances – The Highs and Lows

⭐ Naveen Kasturia (Adhir Dayal)

His portrayal of the younger NSA is one of the show’s best assets. He nails the physicality of an operative and keeps the audience engaged whenever he’s on screen.

⭐ Mukesh Rishi (General Zia)

Loud, dramatic, and intimidating — he dominates every frame he’s in.

⭐ Mouni Roy (Maryam/Srishti)

Sadly underwritten. While she tries to show both vulnerability and strength, the script gives her little to work with.

⭐ Surya Sharma & Ashwath Bhatt

Both are capable actors, but here they are pushed toward overacting, hurting the show’s overall tone.

Direction & Writing

Director Faruk Kabir seems unsure whether Salakaar should be a gritty, grounded political thriller or a pulpy, over-the-top spy caper. The writing leans heavily on clichés and fails to create a sense of danger or suspense that good spy dramas thrive on.

Cinematography & Action

The show’s visuals are competent but lack the finesse and scale seen in bigger spy dramas. Action sequences are straightforward, with little innovation or memorable choreography.

Tribute or Missed Opportunity?

The series is clearly meant to honor NSA Ajit Doval’s legacy, with Purnendu Sharma’s getup and Naveen Kasturia’s younger version hinting at his real-life persona. However, poorly executed tributes can sometimes feel like disservice — and Salakaar unfortunately lands in that category.

Our Verdict

Salakaar is a watchable but forgettable spy thriller. It benefits from strong performances by Naveen Kasturia and Mukesh Rishi, but suffers from shallow writing, factual inaccuracies, and tonal confusion. If you’re looking for a quick binge without expecting depth, it might work for you. But if you want a truly gripping espionage drama, the search continues.

Rating Breakdown

FAQs About Salakaar

Q1: Is Salakaar based on a true story?
Yes, it is inspired by real-life operations of NSA Ajit Doval, though several fictional elements are added.

Q2: How many episodes does Salakaar have?
It’s a miniseries with 5 episodes, each around 30 minutes long.

Q3: Where can I watch Salakaar?
It is available for streaming on its respective OTT platform (check your region for availability).

Q4: Is Salakaar worth watching?
If you like fast-paced spy dramas and don’t mind a lack of realism, it can be a short, entertaining watch.

Q5: Does Salakaar have a season 2?
There is no official confirmation yet.