Special Ops - 2020

Introduction

'Special Ops' is an Indian Hindi-language action thriller series directed by Neeraj Pandey and co-directed by Shivam Nair. The plot follows Himmat Singh, played by Kay Kay Menon, as he leads a team of five agents on a mission to stop a mastermind behind a string of terror attacks in India. The Special Ops series offers a thrilling adventure through the world of espionage and terrorism. This review will analyse the series' plot, performances, and impact on Indian digital media.

Table of Contents

• Details
• Plot
• Release
• Review
• Cast
• Crew
• Character Analysis
• Predictions
• Seasons
• Behind the scenes
• Awards
• Interesting Facts
• Conclusion

Details

Plot

Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon), a seasoned Research and Analysis Wing member is convinced that a single mastermind is behind a series of devastating terror attacks in India. With the clock ticking and the nation's safety at stake, Himmat assembles a top-notch task force of five agents with expertise in different fields. The team is spread across the globe, tracking down the elusive target and stopping the next attack before it's too late.

But the journey is far from easy. The team must navigate a labyrinth of false leads and dead ends, all while facing opposition from unexpected quarters. As the mission progresses, the group realises that the stakes are higher and the danger is greater than they could have imagined. Secrets will be uncovered, allegiances will be tested, and the team will be pushed to their limits to bring the mastermind to justice.

With intense action sequences, high-stakes suspense, a cast of compelling characters, and a pulse-pounding story, this series will surely leave you on the edge of your seat. And as the mission unfolds and the team races against time to stop the next attack, you'll be reminded that sometimes, the greatest dangers are the ones you never see coming. So sit back, relax, and let the thrill ride begin.

Release

Promotion for the series started on 23 February 2020 with a behind-the-scenes video. A teaser poster and trailer were released on 25 February at a press conference attended by the cast and crew. The series premiered a day earlier than expected, on 16 March, with subsequent episodes released after that. It premiered in seven Indian languages, including Hindi, on Hotstar for VIP subscribers.

Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story, a divergent series in the Special Ops universe, was released on 12 November 2021. This season was delivered from Himmat's perspective, giving a deeper view of his character.

Review

Special Ops is a gripping espionage thriller that explores recent Indian political history with a masterful storytelling style. The series features an impressive cast, including Kay Kay Menon, who delivers a standout performance as Himmat Singh, the team leader at RAW. Vinay Pathak and Divya Dutta also shine in their brief but impactful roles.

However, the series sometimes feels more like a cinematic experience than a web series, which can be attributed to Pandey's inexperience with the medium. Additionally, the main antagonist, Hafiz Ali, played by Sajjad Delafrooz, sometimes fails to impress, making the thriller and espionage genre monotonous. Karan Tacker's portrayal of Field Agent Farooq Ali lacks the charm and charisma necessary to impress in intense and thrilling scenes, failing to live up to expectations.

Overall, Special Ops is a must-watch for those seeking a thrilling and entertaining series that can keep you engaged. Panday's skills as a storyteller are on full display, making it perfect for quarantine viewing.

Cast

Crew

Director - Neeraj Pandey

Producers - Neeraj Pandey, Shital Bhatia

Cinematographer - Sudheer Palsane

Production House - Friday Storytellers

Composer - Advait Nemlekar

Editor - Kay Kay Menon, Shivam Nair, and Praveen P. Kathikuloth

Written By - Neeraj Pandey, Benazir Ali Fida, and Deepak Kingrani

Character Analysis

• Himmat Singh: Himmat Singh is a relentless, skilled intelligence officer committed to keeping India safe from terrorism. With an unwavering focus and determination, he is not deterred by challenges and obstacles in pursuing his mission. Possessing exceptional judgement and intuition, Himmatcano make crucial connections and uncovers vital information to effectively neutralise threats to his country. He is a skilled tactician and deeply understands the people and organisations he is trying to take down.
• Farooq Ali, Amjad Sharif, and Rashid Malik: Farooq is a RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) agent who is a part of the Middle-East desk and has been working undercover in the UAE. He is known for his sharp intelligence and is tasked with finding crucial information regarding the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 terror attack. Farooq, Amjad, and Rashid showcase bravery, intelligence, and resourcefulness throughout the series. Their multi-dimensional characters are crucial to the missions' success, making them compelling to watch.
• Abbas Sheikh: Abbas Sheikh is a brilliant RAW agent. He is highly skilled and is known for his ability to piece together even the most seemingly disparate information and turn it into useful intelligence. Despite his successes, he is a man who remains humble and always puts the mission first. Abbas remains focused and dedicated, working tirelessly to uncover information about the terrorist organisations in the Middle East.

Predictions

After the release of Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story, a divergent series in the Special Ops universe in 2021, the second season was expected to release in 2022, but that did not happen. The highly anticipated Season 2 of the web series is rumoured to release this year (2023) and is expected to deliver a heart-pumping viewing experience, but there is no official announcement yet.

Seasons

• Season 1 (Released 17 March 2020)
• Season 1.5: The Himmat Story (Released 12 November 2021)

Behind the Scenes

Play

• The series' production was in full swing starting in mid-August 2019, with Shivam Nair taking the lead in directing scenes in India. Meanwhile, Pandey was in charge of the rest of the sequences filmed in various international locations such as Turkey, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan.
• One of the biggest challenges for the team was recreating the Parliament of India for the first-ever filming of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Delhi proved to be an expensive location to shoot in, but the visual effects and set building were necessary to bring the story to life. Pandey noted that the heavy mounting required for the story made it necessary to film in international locations.

Awards

Interesting Facts

• The film began its journey with the start of principal photography in mid-August 2019 under the direction of Shivam Nair.
• The show was shot in India and several international locations, including Turkey, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan.
• For the first time in film history, the Indian Parliament attack portions were recreated in the series. Pandey directed the rest of the series and stated that the shooting in Delhi was expensive due to the need for sets and visual effects.
• With the story requiring heavy mounting, the film was shot in international locations to bring the story to life.

Conclusion

The series is a perfect blend of action, drama, and captivating dialogue, all set to an electrifying background score that will leave you with chills. With a storyline inspired by real events, Neeraj Pandey brings the fiction to life through gripping and well-researched direction. The way the events unfold and the timeline is depicted is a testament to Pandey's dedication and effort, elevating the series to a new level of excellence.