Special 26 Review

What is it all about?

After a befitting statement with a realization that echoed the irony, anger, helplessness of the common man with a chorus in `A Wednesday' Neeraj Pandey is back and the best part is he is `unconned' by the demands of his previous success and delivers and excellent account of the 1980's heist by fake CBI and Income tax officers on politicians and businessmen that makes you feel genuinely good for this group of conmen with such meaning that apart from the viewers even the person who plays the `real' man in the `reels' who is trying to arrest them is completely awed by the `fake' team's smartness and you feel it... excellent.

The Story

Neeraj Pandey as a writer shifts from common man to con men in Special 26 and delivers a special treat.

Set in the early 1980's Neeraj places his characters based on real life group of con artists who pulled off many clever robberies during 1980's,mastermind by Akshay Kumar and raid lead by Anupam Kher along with Rajesh Sharma and Kishore Kadam who robbed famous businessmen and politicians by pretending to be the CBI or Income tax officers, on the pretext of conducting raids..

What to look out for

Neeraj Pandey shift from common man to con men manufactures pleasure the way a mainstream cinema maker should do `Special 26' shows the confidence of Neeraj Pandey where he successfully cons the audience for a unique cinematic experience with brisk tempo. The execution is so direct, simple and believable that appears that conning is the easiest thing in `reel' and `real'.

He even pulls Akshay from his comfortable zone of comedies and action and makes him deliver his best in recent times.. he is just amazing..Special 26 spells a lot about the capabilities of Akshay... Anupam Kher comes with another enjoyable act having its share of wits and continued brilliance. Manoj Bajpayee is terrific. Rajesh Sharma and Kishore Kadam are excellent. Divya Dutta does full justice.. Jimmy Shergill is welcome surprise and
is just fantastic.

Neeeraj has an eye for details and it appears in the art design. Technically well versed with top rate production values.

Kajal looks beautiful.

What not

The love angle with Kajal Agarwal is totally uncalled for.. what was the need.. can,t really make out the purpose behind this which works as a forced brake on the smartly, smoothly, thrillingly moving proceedings..

Conclusion: Supported by some smart acts by the Akshay, Anupam and co. `Special 26' is a breezy con that has the capacity to con maximum in the name of entertainment..Neeraj Pandey's shift from common man to conmen surely winks for being something special this weekend. A mast must watch.

Rating ****