Ahead of The Family Man 3, tracing Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari's deadliest foes: From Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Raji to Jaideep Ahlawat's Rukma

Season 3 of The Family Man is set to release on Prime Video on November 21, 2025, and in the meantime, the show stays true to its roots by delivering politically motivated threats that are both intelligent and entertaining. The series' antagonists are often caused by systemic hatred, international intrigue, and increasing internal betrayal, not just superficial terrorism.

Here we take a close look at how the difficulties encountered by protagonist Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) have built up to the extraordinary danger that will be introduced in the next season (subscribers of OTTplay Premium will also be able to watch the show with a top-up).

Season 1 (2019)

The first season focused on the protagonists' battle against domestic radicalism and a grave, urgent threat to the nation's capital, which garnered international support.

An engineering graduate and a very effective sleeper agent for the ISIS-affiliated cell, Moosa Rehman/Al Qatil (Neeraj Madhav), was the principal ground operative. Moosa personified the threat of ideological extremism and technological training. In high-stakes situations, his icy efficiency and desperate attempt to carry out "Operation Zulfiqar", a chemical strike on Delhi, were unparalleled. He had Sajid Ghani (Shahab Ali), the bomb-maker behind the Mumbai plots and the source of Dhriti's (Ashlesha Thakur) personal problems, by his side. Seasons one and two are connected by the constant, hidden influence of ISI handler Major Sameer (Darshan Kumar), who creates ongoing threats from cross-border intelligence battles.

ALSO READ: The Family Man Season 3: Release date, OTT platform, cast, plot, and more about the spy thriller

Season 2 (2021)

The second season brought a new foe motivated by political ideology and profound personal trauma, moving the geopolitical action to Sri Lanka and southern India.

The main antagonist, Raji, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was a former member of the Tamil Liberation Front (LTF). With her combination of fierce fighting prowess and unwavering belief in her cause, Raji was perhaps the most physically dangerous opponent Srikant faced. Her plot to kill the Indian prime minister was a daring and dangerous plan, backed by LTF leader Bhaskaran (Mime Gopi) and, once again, Major Sameer's tactical support. Though she was a devoted assassin, Raji's history revolved around the dislocation and brutality she faced, posing an ethical problem that the show frequently examines: the fact that some villains are driven by a sense of justice. Her demise signalled the brutal conclusion to the imminent danger but hinted at the presence of deeper, more sinister plots.

Season 3 (Premieres November 21, 2025)

Srikant Tiwari goes from being a hunter to being India's "most wanted man" in the forthcoming third season, marking a substantial escalation. The story moves to the northeastern states of India, such as Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, and revolves around a lethal confluence of domestic conspiracies and an external geo-espionage threat from China.

The introduction of a formidable adversarial partnership in the new season suggests that Srikant is facing a well-coordinated, complex plot to destroy him in his personal and professional life.

According to Raj and DK, "Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat)" is Srikant's "shadow self"—a complicated and dangerous character who has embraced evil. It becomes clear that Rukma is a dangerous drug dealer and an important figure in the Northeastern terrorist organisation's operations. Creators have pointed out that his "non-family family" stands in stark contrast to Srikant's own dysfunctional household, making him almost an inverse mirror image of Srikant. The bigger conspiracy relies on Rukma's criminal network, which Srikant must confront as a physical, merciless force on the ground.

Meera (Nimrat Kaur), who heads a hidden organisation or cell that frames Srikant as a wanted criminal, is the "evil queen bee" responsible for Srikant's death. Her position suggests that the intelligence community or senior government officials are betraying their interests. From behind the scenes, Meera orchestrates events, supplying Rukma with the strategic threat he then puts into action on the ground. She is characterised by being intelligent, calculated, and fashionably menacing. For the intelligence community, she stands as a symbol of the high-stakes danger of inside sabotage.

The Geopolitical Nexus: Project Guan-Yu

A Chinese clandestine operation alluded to in the Season 2 post-credits sequence, "Project Guan-Yu", could be activated and pose the greatest strategic threat. This geopolitical scheme launches an attack or strategic offensive against India's northeastern states against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation, which is named after a famed ancient Chinese military commander, represents a shift in the struggle from a regional terrorist attack to a full-scale confrontation between states, and it implies the deployment of cyberwarfare as well as biological or viral weapons.

Srikant becomes a wanted man due to an external, state-sponsored scheme (Project Guan-Yu) and an internal, personal grudge that is spearheaded by Rukma and Meera. In his most challenging and intimate struggle yet, the show establishes that he and his family are fleeing his own organisation, TASC, as they race against the clock to avert a national catastrophe.

FAQs:

Q: Who are the main villains in The Family Man Season 3?

A: The main antagonists in Season 3 (subscribers of OTTplay Premium will also be able to watch the show with a top-up) are the sophisticated duo of Rukma and Meera. Rukma (played by Jaideep Ahlawat) is Srikant’s "shadow self"—a ruthless drug smuggler and operational head. Meera (played by Nimrat Kaur) is the calculating mastermind or "evil queen bee" responsible for framing Srikant Tiwari as a wanted criminal. They represent a convergence of internal betrayal and ground-level ruthlessness.

Q: Who was Raji, the villain in The Family Man Season 2?

A: Raji (played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu) was the central antagonist of Season 2. She was a highly formidable and skilled former LTF (Tamil Liberation Front) militant driven by deep political conviction and severe personal trauma from displacement and violence. Her operation, backed by Major Sameer, was a high-risk plan to assassinate the Indian Prime Minister. She was noted for being Srikant’s most physically formidable opponent.

Q: When does The Family Man Season 3 premiere?

A: The Family Man Season 3 is highly anticipated to premiere on November 21, 2025, on Prime Video (subscribers of OTTplay Premium will also be able to watch the show with a top-up).