How 'Taskaree' Made History as Netflix's First #1 Indian Series Globally

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The Emraan Hashmi-starrer Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web has made history by becoming the first Indian series to secure the #1 spot on Netflix’s Global Non-English TV charts. Released on 14 January 2026, the seven-episode crime thriller reached the pinnacle of the streaming world within just one week of its debut.

This milestone marks a significant shift in global viewing habits, proving that gritty, hyper-local Indian procedurals possess the universal appeal necessary to outperform major international productions across Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia.

A New Benchmark for Indian Content

Taskaree was created by Neeraj Pandey. It tells the story of Arjun Meena, a customs officer at Mumbai's airport. Emraan Hashmi plays the lead role with a very calm and serious style. The show does not rely on constant explosions or loud action. Instead, it shows the real details of how gold is smuggled across borders.

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The show cost about Rs. 45 crore to make. The crew filmed in Germany, Thailand, and Bahrain to make the story feel real. Fans love the ‘cat-and-mouse’ game between the officers and the villains. It feels more like a true documentary than a typical Bollywood movie. This realistic tone is exactly why global audiences are hooked on the series.

How Will the Success of Taskaree Impact Future Indian OTT Budgets?

The global success of Taskaree will change how Netflix spends money in India. In the past, apps spent huge amounts of money on big movie stars. Now, they see that a smart story matters more than a high price tag. This show had a medium budget but got better results than many expensive projects.

In the next six months, we will likely see many more shows about real government jobs. This is being called the ‘Taskaree Effect.’ Producers will now focus on ‘blue-collar’ thrillers about customs, police, or forest officers. These shows are cheaper to film but very popular with viewers. This means smaller Indian studios now have a better chance to reach a worldwide audience.

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