Special OPS was released on 17 March 2020 and stars Kay Kay Menon, Karan Tacker, Sana Khan and Sajjad Delafrooz. It is created and directed by Neeraj Pandey with Shivan Nair co-directing. Menon plays the role of the protagonist Himmat Singh. 

Special OPS uses real terrorist attacks with fictional elements added to it. Special OPS is a breath-taking espionage drama that keeps you hooked till the very end.

The story revolves around a 19 year man-hunt to find a terrorist named Ikhlaq Khan. Himmat and his team of agents try to infiltrate the world of terrorist groups hiding in different locations in the Middle-East. Himmat is the only one in his department who believes in the existence of Ikhlaq Khan.

We learn about the backstory of Himmat’s operation through an audit inquiry that runs parallel to the main storyline. Himmat doesn’t actively participate in field work but expertly controls many missions from his office. Farooq, is the undercover agent who has climbed up the ranks of the mafias in Dubai and supplies Himmat with critical information.

Special OPS gives equal attention to each of its characters and explores their past in detail. Supporting characters like Abbas, Chaddha and Himmat’s wife and daughter were interesting and added to the story instead of just being filler characters.

The locations alternate between Dubai, Istanbul, Azerbaijan and India. The scenes are beautifully shot proving the mettle of the director. The background theme was amazing with a string and cello arrangement which enhanced the mood of the climax in many episodes.

The casting was immaculate. It felt as if each actor was born to play the roles assigned to them. Menon, who is usually seen playing antagonists, plays the prim and proper RAW Chief-Analyst to perfection. 

The pace of the show is fast and the abundance of flashbacks do not make the story go stagnant. From the way the story progresses and unfolds it is quite clear that a lot of planning was done before creating the plot of the show. I couldn’t find any plot holes or scenes that might have confused or alienated the audience from rooting for the key players.

Special OPS is Neeraj Pandey’s masterpiece. He knows how to deliver strong characters and create impactful scenes. The confrontation scene with an agent in the last episodes tops my list of favourite reveal moments. The interrogation scenes in Special OPS are written masterfully. They are more focused on manipulation rather than violence. I especially love the moments where the lead characters face conflicts. Instead of displaying an emotional response, we see them rely on logic and strategy.

Neeraj Pandey is currently working on a spin-off of Special OPS that will focus on Himmat’s story and his life before his desk job as an analyst. I can’t wait to watch it.

Series Rating 5/5