Hunkkaar: The Roar REVIEW: Aneet Padda, Raghubir Yadav, Fatima Sana Shaikh Bring A Slow-Burning Narrative That Fails To Roar

Film:
Hunkkaar: The Roar

Directors: Nitya Mehra, Karan D. Kapadia

Writers: Chandra Goyal, Heeraz Marfatia, Heeraz Marfatia, Ravinder Randhawa, Sourabh Ratnu and Nitya Mehra

Cast: Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Arjun Mathur, Raghubir Yadav

Platform: Jio Hotstar

Runtime: 6 episodes (45-50 minutes each)

Hunkkaar: The Roar Review

When 17-year-old Meenu (played by Aneet Padda) accuses a revered cult leader, Baapji, of sexual assault, it triggers a nationwide storm. As the investigation progresses, questions around faith, power and justice take centre stage, blurring the line between belief and truth.

The subject of godmen, blind faith and abuse of power has been explored several times before in projects like Aashram, Maharaj and others. While Hunkkaar: The Roar attempts to revisit a relevant issue, it struggles to bring a fresh perspective to the table. The series unfolds at a slow pace, making its narrative feel stretched and predictable at several points.

What Works

The performances remain the strongest aspect of the series. Aneet Padda delivers an honest and heartfelt act as Meenu, capturing the vulnerability and courage of a young girl fighting against a powerful figure. Fatima Sana Shaikh adds depth as Jaskeen Singh Soin, bringing conviction to her role. Raghubir Yadav impresses with his restrained yet impactful portrayal of Baapji, while Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Arjun Mathur lend solid support.

The series also touches upon themes of power, influence and public perception, which remain relevant in today’s time.

What Doesn’t Work

The biggest drawback is the storytelling. Despite dealing with an intense subject, the narrative lacks urgency and freshness. Several moments feel repetitive, and the slow pace affects the emotional impact. The series follows a familiar template, offering very little that viewers haven’t already seen in similar shows.

The screenplay takes time to build momentum, but even when key revelations arrive, they fail to create the desired impact.

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Technical Analysis

Hunkkaar: The Roar maintains a realistic tone. The cinematography captures the atmosphere effectively, while the background score supports the drama without overpowering it. However, tighter editing could have significantly improved the viewing experience, making the narrative sharper and more engaging.

Star Performances

Raghubir Yadav as Baapji stands out with a subtle portrayal, making Baapji both influential and unsettling.


Aneet Padda as Meenu Rawat delivers a sincere performance, she does not look promising like her debut film and her performance dulls the character more.

Fatima Sana Shaikh as Jaskeen Singh Soin brings confidence and intensity to her character, making her presence impactful.


Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub as Bhalerao is dependable as always and adds credibility to the narrative.


Arjun Mathur as Amitabh Sinha delivers a balanced performance and supports the story effectively.

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Conclusion

Hunkkaar: The Roar tackles an important subject and is backed by a capable cast, but its slow pace and familiar narrative prevent it from making a lasting impact. Despite commendable performances from Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Raghubir Yadav, the series never fully finds its roar.

Also Read: VIBE REVIEW: Kunal Khemu, Sparsh Shrivastava And Preity Zinta’s Action Comedy Film Starts Strong But Loses Steam

Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.