Aneet Padda leads Hunkkaar’s exploration of power and justice

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Fatima Sana Shaikh and Raghubir Yadav add weight to the courtroom drama

By Manya Bhasin

Chandigarh

Hunkkaar: The Roar, which premiered on JioHotstar on September 25, explores sexual assault, social influence and the pursuit of justice through the story of a 17-year-old girl who accuses a powerful spiritual leader.

The series follows Meenu Rawat, played by Aneet Padda, whose allegation against spiritual leader Baapji brings the case into the criminal justice system. Fatima Sana Shaikh plays ACP Jasleen Singh, a police officer who takes charge of the investigation and guides the case from the police station to the courtroom.

Directed around a conflict involving faith and influence, the series focuses on how allegations against a socially powerful figure can become complicated by public opinion, scrutiny of the survivor and questions surrounding the evidence.

Padda gives a restrained performance as Meenu, portraying the character without excessive dramatisation. Shaikh brings authority and composure to the role of ACP Jasleen, while Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub adds intensity to the courtroom sequences. Raghubir Yadav, as Baapji, creates a commanding presence that reinforces the character’s influence within the story.

The courtroom scenes are the most effective in the series, particularly when the narrative examines evidence, perception and prejudice. The proceedings also provide the show with an opportunity to explore how social standing can affect the way allegations and those involved are perceived.

However, the series attempts to handle several parallel threads, including the investigation, courtroom proceedings, media coverage and personal conflicts. This occasionally affects the pacing of the story and leaves some characters less developed than others.

Despite these uneven stretches, Hunkkaar remains centred on a relevant conflict between faith, social influence and the pursuit of justice. Its performances, particularly those of Padda, Shaikh and Yadav, help sustain the courtroom drama, while the premise gives the series scope to examine difficult questions around evidence, public perception and accountability.