Genre – Spy action
Time: 7 episodes x average 45 minutes
Platform: Jio Hotstar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Cast: Kay Kay Menon (Himmat Singh). Vinay Pathak (Inspector Abbas Sheikh). Karan Tacker (Farooq). Gautami Kapoor (Saroj). Arif Zakaria (Dr. Bhargava). Tota Roy Chowdhury (Vinod Shekhawat). Prakash Raj (Subramanyam). Tahir Raj Bhasin (Sudheer Awasthi)
Plot: Dr. Bharagava ,a key scientist working on AI, is kidnapped in Budapest. Farooq has been kidnapped by some rivals in Kathmandu. Vinod Shekhawat, one of Himmat Singh’s key operatives and his wife are shot dead in Delhi. Subramanyam, an ex-RAW employee and Himmat’s former mentor, wants a financial fugitive who has committed financial fraud, brought back to India to face justice and he keeps demanding so, with a hidden threat that failure to do so would have consequences. Sudheer Awasthi, a wheeler dealer has set in plan a huge event that would have shocking consequences for India. Himmat’s wife Saroj, beseeches him to tell Pari, that Himmat is not her father before she finds out, leading to consequences….
This is a classic example of the old formula ; expectations = upsets !
I have enjoyed Special Ops 1 and specially 1.5 as the latter was only four episodes and far more tightly written with less emphasis on style and locales but more on the story of an intel broker who specializes in information extracted through honey traps. So when Special Ops 2 was released on July 18, I was hopelessly eager and looked forward to an old fashioned ‘first day first show’ type feeling and binge watched it.
This is a clear case of spectacular style over content, spread over multiple locations and lots of Bond style actions, while multiple plots abound in the background. The Body Count is very high for a TV serial; the kidnapping of Dr. Bhargava in the first episode must have wiped out the entire Budapest police force. Stylishly executed – pun intended.
Computers . Whirring screens with ASCI characters scrolling on screens. Huge displays with clocks counting down. Spectacular locations worthy of Bond films such as Georgia , Hungary, Turkey, and so on. Himmat’s team hops locations as easy as taking a local bus and in every location they are fully armed.
Alright. We get it. Its beautifully shot (pun intended again) . But what about the story?
Multiple unwanted stuff could have been cut and the story made more tighter. Yes – the core idea of a AI scientist being kidnapped and used for nefarious purposes by an international businessman Sudheer Awasthi, creepily played by Tahir Raj Bhasin, who doesn’t believe in ‘geographies and boundaries’ is not such a bad idea . It is clear that he has a mole in the Indian establishment who is appraising him of all the developments. So, Himmat has to do a molehunt too , while thwarting Awasthi.
And what’s with the dhinchak background music ? Even in the most tense moments, there is a techno style background music, which ruins all the overall effect . Looks like some kid had been ordered to create some stuff and the same techno dhinchak style sound permeates all the action scenes.
As for performances, Key Kay Menon is hopelessly stereotyped . You get it mm? As Himmat’s former mentor, Prakash Raj has a few worthy moments.. The duo Banerjee and Chadda, who gave anxious moments to Himmat in Sq1 and S1.5, are back. Most of the very little humor comes from Banerjee who requests Himmat “please torture us with this interrogation in one go and not in multiple sessions”. Otherwise the humour is minimal.
Oh yes- all modern spy series, Indian or Western, MUST have a teenage daughter, who causes anxious moments for the lead male or female character. This has become a hopeless cliche and could have been avoided as it doesn’t contribute anything to the overall story.
The last two episodes read and feel like a regular Hindi film with the MEGA villain Sudheer and Farooq , fighting dishoom dishoom at a dam. You can imagine where all the cameras would wander.
Disappointing stylish story.
Script – 3 out of 5
Story – 3 out of 5
Direction – 3 out of 5
Photography – 4 out of 5
Total – 3.2 out of 5
I really appreciate your take on Indian spy and military films and series. I did not regret watching Black Warrant on your recommendation. Will add the first seasons of this series to my watch list. Thanks!
Quick suggestion: Perhaps the true gems are present outside of Hindi language productions? I heard some great stuff is coming out of Malayalam and Tamil film industries. I am sure it could be the case for other languages as well.
Tamil cinema does the occassional spy stuff but they are all “Bonded” with emphasis on high octane action. I have hardly seen any Malayalam spy film or TV series. I have searched far and wide but unable to find any. If they are there , please do share with me.
When I saw your review this morning I was just 2 episodes in. You’re bang on target. Too much style, too many plotlines, too many locations, too much bodycount. Some locations seem unnecessary, like why bring the scientist to the dam to meet Awasthi. Unless of course there’s some significance to that locale later. Watched 3 episodes today.
Trying not to reach for a Crocin. It works in headaches, but will it work for a spinning head? Ha ha.
Hilarious. I will use this in some of my future comments :)
Thanks for this review, Rammesh.
I have not watched ‘Special Ops’, so not fair to comment, but in general – Indian TV makes a sincere, high-gloss and sometimes meaningful show in this genre… but more often than not, stretches credulity. Though, fact-based narratives make for a riveting watch – such as Raazi.
Last night, on another channel, started watching this show where this billionaire discovers oil resources, an ex-CBI officer is released from prison and somewhere in here, a ‘beggar’ is mixed up.
Sorry.. this is just not for me!
Warm regards…. Robin
Special Ops 1.5 has four episodes and is very tightly written. There are enough real life episodes from which the story line is drawn. Maybe you can check that out . Of the three , 1.5 is THE BEST. This one is a poor cousin to that. Season 1 was decent. Here too many things are going on.