Mumbai: Sharad Kelkar is known for constantly reinventing himself, and his latest web series, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, currently trending at the top on Netflix, is yet another example of that versatility. In a recent interaction, the actor revealed that his character in the crime thriller subtly pays tribute to Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic “Angry Young Man” persona from the 1970s and 80s.
Kelkar shared that Bachchan’s larger-than-life screen presence left a deep impression on him during his formative years. “Who hasn’t admired Mr. Bachchan? He’s an extraordinary performer. While the influence wasn’t conscious in my adult years, as a child I was deeply inspired. I even styled my hair like him,” he said, adding that the homage in the show goes beyond surface-level swagger.
Explaining the connection further, Kelkar noted that his character’s backstory is rooted in the same era that defined Bachchan’s Angry Young Man phase. In one scene, his character sits at a barber shop with a photograph of Bachchan displayed in front of him — a nod to the cinematic hero he idolises. “My character is a fan of his. The hairstyle, the attitude — that’s a small but meaningful layer in the narrative,” he explained.
In the series, Kelkar essays Bada Chaudhary, a formidable smuggling kingpin navigating a tense world of customs crackdowns and underworld rivalries. The role demanded that he tap into a darker, more complex psyche. “It pushed me to explore intense emotional spaces, and I’m glad I embraced that challenge,” he said.
The gripping drama also stars Emraan Hashmi in a high-stakes confrontation set against the backdrop of crime and smuggling. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the series blends nostalgia with gritty storytelling, offering viewers a compelling watch.
