Created by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra (Made in Heaven), and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas under her Purple Pebble Pictures banner alongside Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, the series is slated to begin streaming on September 25, 2026.
Trailer Breakdown: Power, Faith, and the Battle of Truth
The 2-minute-plus trailer introduces a story moving across three distinct arenas: an unyielding police probe, bitter courtroom warfare, and sensationalized prime-time media trials.
The Accusation: Breakthrough actor Aneet Padda (Saiyaara) stars as 17-year-old Meenu Rawat, who walks into a police station to file a complaint of sexual assault against a revered, politically insulated spiritual guru known as Baapji (played with chilling restraint by Raghubir Yadav).
The Interrogation of the Victim: Instead of immediate institutional support, Meenu finds her own character, behavior, and clothing scrutinized. Facing skepticism even from her own family for not behaving like a conventional victim, she stands resolute in her refusal to retract the charges.
The Cop on the Line: Fatima Sana Shaikh leads the investigation as ACP Jasleen Singh Soni, an officer determined to uncover the facts despite facing direct threats, administrative pressure, and intimidation from Baapji's fervent followers.
The Legal & Media Crossfire: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub appears as Bhalerao, described as the lone defense lawyer willing to back Meenu, going up against a formidable senior advocate played by Ram Kapoor defending the godman. Meanwhile, Arjun Mathur steps in as an ambitious television journalist shaping public perception around the unfolding scandal.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Aneet Padda on the Narrative Core
Backing the project as Executive Producer, Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke about the urgency of the subject matter:
“As a producer, I’ve always wanted to stand behind stories that have something to say, and Hunkkaar: The Roar is very much that. A big part of what Purple Pebble Pictures stands for is backing filmmakers with a distinct point of view and a bold vision. I am very proud to present Hunkkaar: The Roar with JioHotstar, Birla Studios, Applause and Ashi. I hope the story stays with audiences the way it stayed with me.”
Lead star Aneet Padda reflected on capturing the complexity of Meenu Rawat: “Meenu isn't defined by what happened to her, but by what she chooses after. She's young, complicated and not always easy to understand; that's what makes her real. Her one constant? A refusal to be silenced. I hope audiences see her vulnerability and the defiance at the heart of her journey.”
Directorial Vision and Creative Bench
The series is directed collaboratively by Karan D Kapadia, Nitya Mehra, and Heeraz Marfatia. Rather than treating the case as an open-and-shut procedural, the trailer highlights how institutional systems often gaslight young accusers, turning public sentiment into an ideological battlefield.
Trade Verdict:
Arriving on JioHotstar on September 25, Hunkkaar: The Roar steps directly into the space of hard-hitting social thrillers that explore systemic power asymmetries. Bolstered by Aneet Padda's rising critical equity, Fatima Sana Shaikh’s grounded screen presence, and a powerhouse supporting bench (Ayyub, Kapoor, Yadav, Mathur), the series looks positioned to spark meaningful conversations on consent, blind faith, and institutional accountability
