Special Ops 2: Seven days Served!

A threat to the nation, another emergency - internal and escalating and a very personal crisis in his family, Himmat Singh must handle all these three simultaneously!

When a scientist, holding the keys to all the strategic gateways, gets kidnapped and a R&AW agent killed, in different locations but around the same moment, the presence of a link between the two is quite evident to Himmat, but apprehending the criminal behind, seems a completely new ball game.

Add to this is the hunt for a fugitive banker, the man behind ruining several who believed, driving the believers now towards vengeance, caring less for further collateral damages that might follow!

Seven episodes.

Seven days to achieve his target.....

And his own problems to solve!

This can only be handled by Kay Kay Menon (as Himmat Singh) with a characteristic composure that assures but with the ruthless spontaneity of the character that frighteningly appeals. With his band of associates, both internal and foreign, Himmat Singh must fight the enemy at the gate and one outside with his own family, held at a crucial crossroad that threatens to destroy whatever preciously private he had always carefully tried to keep secured.

While Kay Kay Menon is natural in his role as Himmat Singh, so is Vinay Pathak as SI Abbas Sheikh of Delhi Police, the deceptively inconspicuous investigator in the force, radiating a supreme confidence in his enviable knack of sniffing out information from the coldest of trails. Both Pathak and Menon steal the scenes, wherever present by keeping the sequences intense while lacing them with humour, whenever the slightest of opportunities warrants. Added to this, is the chemistry, on the screen, crafted with measured elegance by Gautami Kapoor (as Saroj) with Menon, which adds drama and will surely warrant deserving credit.

With a script (Neeraj Pandey, Deepak Kingrani, Benazir Ali Fida) composed crisply for the correct touch of verbal requirement in a season, based on actions and subtle expressions primarily, the suspense is heightened by the haunting melody of Advait Nemlekar that sets the thrill triggered right from the very beginning.

However, there are a few flaws! The least of them is the not-so-surprising finale of so gripping string of episodes. Thus, the directors (Neeraj Pandey, Shivam Nair) peak their achievement in yet another brilliantly designed "Wednesday" (S2E6) but the zeal is lost in the action-primed climactic cliché of "Thursday" (S2E7) with the thrill subsiding. Again, there are instances where intuition prevails over intellect. Lacking in rationale, certain sequences might feel warily unconvincing and could disappoint the critical viewer.

But the major concern is the childish way the nuclear reactors of the country are shown to be vulnerable to threats. In a country, where nuclear power is not very well accepted by the masses owing to the fact of being unaware of the fundamentals, if a popular series like this, portrays the wrong facts, this may equally add to the deterrent views! A little insightful research could have revealed that Indian nuclear reactors are inherently safe and cannot be compromised by the imaginary way envisaged and the event of a core meltdown being thematically transformed to a catastrophic blast is a famous misconception that once again proves the inadequate awareness of the established safety practices and related technicalities that entail the restraints!

Special Ops 1.5 .... gallantry has a new name

Labelling the sequel season as The Himmat Story, this is actually prequel to the character build up of the fictitious intelligence officer, carrying out missions with his network of colleagues. The prequel connection actually traces back a young Himmat, getting suspended after his ambitious mission of catching the mastermind behind the Parliament attack fails and thus fails his theory that defied many. But he gets a call through Abbas Sheikh, his trusted aide in the Delhi police, as one of his R&AW colleagues goes rogue. Added to this is a package of sensitive materials, which are being hijacked by international syndicates for selling to the favourable bidders. Himmat is thus tasked to secure the materials and eliminate the threat of the rogue, Maninder, as well. In this, he is partnered with ex-army, Vijay Kumar, his old college buddy. As the case proceeds rapidly, so evolves the collateral complications. Treachery runs wild and Himmat loses his faith on life. Revenge drives both the good and the evil. A scary twist awaits yet the climactic finale is predictable. The style of narration followed has the disadvantage to forecast the events but still the spirit will keep the thrill gripping.

Created by Neeraj Pandey, the show is a thrilling ride of adventure blended with espionage. Every artist is outstanding in characterising the assigned portraiture. Similar in style but contrary to its predecessor, this time Abbas Sheikh and not Himmat, narrates from his perspective while being interrogated for some apprehensions regarding Himmat by Banerjee and Chadda, tasked with auditing the would be pensioners like Himmat Singh, who is on the verge of retirement. Vinay Pathak carries out the role in style and his charming gaits amplify the enjoyably merry suspense that he creates. Nothing more can be said of Kay Kay Menon but that he seemed to be crafted for the role of Himmat. His apparently unemotional attitude with the cold looks and calculated actions set the mood and drenches it with surprising emotions as he shares the screen with Gautami Kapoor as Saroj, both of whom play it from their heart to keep the moment unforgettable. Kapoor is another natural who blends into Saroj with perfection. Kali Prasad Mukherjee and Parmeet Sethi reprise respectively as D K Banerjee and Naresh Chadda as the investigative officers and breathe much needed relief as they reflect the silent admiration of the awestruck audience who will be impatient to interruptions as the heroics are revealed. Their depictions are perfect and comical expressions priceless. Aftab Shivdasani returns after a very long time and blends easily as Vijay Kumar, the only complaint that might be lodged will be, he has put up some weight.

So be ready to rock and roll in this four episode saga as you witness the various shades of a character and his essence.