Neeraj Pandey's spy universe expands with Special Ops Season 2: ‘The unsung hero is the reason…'
Neeraj Panday has made a career out of spy thrillers, whether it's his films Baby (2015), Naam Shabana (2017), and Aiyaary (2018) or his Jio Hotstar show Special Ops, whose second season premieres on July 11.
'There are such unheard stories in the domain that it naturally becomes a magnet for any storyteller,' said Panday at the trailer launch of Special Ops season 2 in Mumbai on Monday. 'The unsung hero also becomes the primary reason because the missions are covert and under plausible denial. Not many in the audience are aware of these adventures,' he added.
'I didn't think it would become so big when I did season 1. Nobody is so narcissistic to think so. Once season 1 came out, we realised it has a longer life,' said Kay Kay Menon, who plays Himmat Singh, a senior R&AW officer in Special Ops.
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In season 2, the show assumes an additional layer of thematic resonance in the form of a cyber threat. Kay Kay admitted, unlike his character, he's far from a tech geek. 'I'm not even in the KG class of anything to do with cyber. I don't know anything about it. To play Himmat Singh, who knows all about it, is quite a task. I'm so bad at tech that if I want to post on social media, I've to ask my team how to do that,' admitted Kay Kay.
Tahir Raj Bhasin enters the franchise as the chief antagonist in season 2. 'Joining a franchise is like coming into the hostel as a new entrant. Everyone knows each other. The first few days are tough, but you have to gel and get into the part very quickly,' said Tahir.
On his role of a 'business tycoon who runs a tech mafia,' Tahir added, 'I was blown away by how unpredictable, layered, and contemporary he is. He doesn't need muscle. He just has control over data. It opens up several questions about what is intelligence and national security today.'
While Tahir is the new entrant, favourites from season 1 return too. Vinay Pathak said he's lucky to have made it to season 2 as Delhi Police officer Abbas, given co-director Shivam Nair had plans to kill his character in season 1 itself. 'Shivam Nair called me before season 1 and asked, 'Abbas ko maar de?' But he's given me a new lease of life. I'm still in the same costume, haven't gotten promoted, and am still riding the same bike across Delhi. I don't mind not getting promoted as long as they keep fuelling my bike and I keep doing Special Ops,' quipped Pathak.
Karan Tacker also returns as spy Farooq Ali, who was seen getting abducted in Nepal at the end of Special Ops 1.5. 'Neeraj sir has a typical way of writing the screenplay. There are 3-4 lines and then 'action' written in all caps and with exclamation marks. You feel, 'Achha itna hi hai.' Cut to: You're rehearsing for eight days and shooting for two days for one action piece. That is Neeraj Panday for you,' said Tacker.
Watch | Special Ops 2 trailer: India faces UPI data theft threat and Kay Kay Menon is the only one who can save us now
Both Tacker and Saiyami Kher said they have a gripe with the makers: they want to share screen space with Kay Kay Menon. 'Unfortunately, wo India mein baith ke boring kaam karte hain aur hum duniya ghoomte hain while he gives instructions on phone. Hopefully, Kay Kay sir comes with us in the next season and we get to work with him on field,' said Kher.
She'll return as agent Juhi in season 2, and is glad that she gets to do a lot of action as a female spy. 'For women, there are certain roles which people don't write and you wonder why. But even before Special Ops, what Neeraj sir did with Taapsee Pannu in Baby stood out for me. I hadn't seen anything like that in Indian cinema before. I love doing action. I love beating up guys. That's what women feel like on the inside when guys tease them on the streets. I'm just happy he gave me that opportunity,' said Kher.
She claimed that Special Ops season 1 set the tone for her filmography in the last five years. 'After the little action I did in the first season, I've played a cop (Jaat), a firefighter (Agni), a cricketer (Ghoomer). Only a pilot and someone from the Navy is left. I've got to play such fiery women in the last five years, which are rarely written for women. I'm very grateful he had two women agents in season 1,' added Kher.
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