Movie Review: Special 26

A movie, in my opinion, in a given running time should be able to involve us in its world and should do justice to what it's trying to be. That’s all I ever want from a movie, whether it is commercial, non-commercial or any weird stuff.

 “Special 26” directed by Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday fame) is a cleverly written commercial drama/thriller/heist film that managed to suck me into its world and kept me hooked till the end.

Inspired by a real-life heist that took place on March 19, 1987 where a group posing as CBI officers  executed an income tax raid on the Opera House branch of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri in Mumbai, this commercial flick kicks into action from the word GO but unapologetic-ally takes pit stops for some appalling & unconvincing love angle.

Peppered with witty one-liners and some good ‘chor-police’ drama, the film with its running time of two and a half hours feels aptly paced and only bogs down in parts.

If a film says its set in 1980’s India, it has to be shot well enough to make you believe.  Late cinematographer Bobby Singh succeeds in creating an authentic world that looks real and convincing.

The booming background score by M. M. Keeravani and Himesh Reshammiya though mediocre makes sure that you don’t look away from the screen but the lousy songs add nothing to this film.

But what keeps this film alive is the charming performances.

Akshay Kumar , Jimmy Shergill, Manoj Bajpai and Anupam Kher and even actors playing little characters play their parts well with an exception of Kajal Aggarwal who sticks out like a sore thumb.

“Special 26” wouldn’t be half as good as it is if not for the director who succeeds to keep you on the edge of the seat with some good direction.

Though not as effective as the director’s previous venture “A Wednesday”, this film has more than enough wit for a commercial cinema.

Final Verdict:  Entertainment guaranteed. :)