Special Ops web series review: Director Neeraj Pandey is in special form in this meticulously operated espionage thriller

For all intents and purposes, Special Ops is the next big thing on the Indian digital circuit. The show is excellently researched, mixing fact with fiction, leading to a truly addictive watch.

By Russel D'Silva
Published: March 17, 2020 9:07 AM IST

Over the recent past, there has been no shortage web series in the spy-thriller genre or revolving around terrorist plots or a marriage between both. However, barring The Family Man and Sacred Games (not season 2), not of the other similarly themes shows like Code M, Bard of Blood, Operation Cobra and several other of their ilk have crowded the space to such an extent that both the genre and Indian web series in general are in danger of losing their novelty after beginning with a bang some years ago. In this scenario, we have eminent Bollywood Director Neeraj Pandey entering the ring with a stellar cast for company. He's coming immediately off a huge critical and commercial disaster in Aiyaary though. Fortunately for us and for the fate of espionage web shows, we get the Pandey of Baby, Special 26 and A Wednesday back in sensational form. Also Read - Top 10 crime-based web series On Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more that will leave you shocked and intrigued

Scroll down to read my full Special Ops review... Also Read - Before 2022 ends, watch these breakthrough stories and power-packed performances now streaming on OTT

Also, vote for the Best Thriller Web Series below:

What's it about

Special Ops revolves around Himmat Singh's (Kay Kay Menon) — a senior officer at RAW — belief that a singular terrorist mastermind has been behind several of India's most dastardly terror attacks from the 2001 Parliament bombing in Delhi to Mumbai's siege of 26/11. With nobody sharing his theory, he begins a 19-year-long operation (ever since the 2001 Parliament attack) to nab said mastermind, assembling a crack team along the way, and planting them as assets in the four corners of the world or the hubs of terror activities to be specific while also having to surpass plenty of bureaucratic red tape to follow his quest. Also Read - Trending OTT News Today: Inside Edge 3 trailer dives into cricket betting, Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey reunite for ZEE5's 420 IPC and more

What's hot

For all intents and purposes, Special Ops is the next big thing on the Indian digital circuit. The screenplay and direction grip you and never let up frm the get go — total edge-of-the-seat stuff. The show is also excellently researched, mixing fact with fiction, leading to a truly addictive watch. Director Neeraj Pandey is back in raring form with a terrific ensemble cast to boot, among whom Karan Tacker is the surprise package. Pandey presents Tacker as his star, placing him at the front and centre of Special Ops, and the actor grabs the opportunity with both hands.

Of course, Kay Kay Menon is right on the money, too, as the glue that binds his young team together. Especially watch out for how effortlessly he handles the internal audit the government places him under, and you'll realise how Bollywood has criminally wasted this gem of an actor. Vinay Pathak lends an exemplary hand in a suporting role while Sajjad Delafrooz is fanatacism personified in a sinister display of villainy. Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Meher Vij, Parmeet Sethi and Divya Dutta shine despite the length of their roles, but then again, it's always been Pandey's speciality to makes the smallest of his characters leave a lasting impression. The production values, too, are top notch, with Praveen Kathikuloth's editing and the camerawork by Sudheer Palsane and Aravind Singh being the standouts.

What's not

As much as we enjoy Tacker and Menon being the mainstays of the show, and as well as Neeraj Pandey uses all his actors, we wish that the others players had more to do. Not because of them being under-utilised, but just so that the show would get a broader perspective. Also, some scenes till midway of the first episode feel a tad amateurish. Thankfully, they don't last for long. Sana Khaan is also a letdown. Though her part is probably the least among all on screen, she could have at least tried to lend more gravitas to her character.

BL Verdict

With just a couple of hiccups here and there, Neeraj Pandey's Special Ops has almost everything going for it, and makes for one helluva binge-worthy show. So, drop everything right now and watch it. I'm going with 4 out of 5 stars. The web series premieres today on Hotstar.

Rating : 4 out of 5

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ByRussel D'Silva
Published: March 17, 2020 9:07 AM IST