In an episode towards the end of the Hotstar series Special Ops , an officer from the Research and Analysis Wing likens the intelligence-ga...
In an episode towards the end of the Hotstar series Special Ops, an officer from the Research and Analysis Wing likens the intelligence-gathering organisation’s service and relationship with the country’s rulers to a game of chess. He speaks of pawns and officers, kings and protectors. Several episodes of this eight-part thriller, created by Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday, Baby, Aiyaary), are spent placing the players on the chessboard.
In 2019, two auditors are questioning RAW agent Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) about irregularities in his department’s accounts. His explanation for transferring money to cities around the Middle East tracks back to the terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001. Himmat believes the mastermind is still at large, and he’s determined to nab him.
Gradually, and rather tediously, each strategically placed “asset” is introduced, in particular Himmat’s Dubai-based protege Farooq (Karan Tacker), who is hot on the heels of public enemy number one. The others are Ruhani (Meher Vij), Juhi (Saiyami Kher), Bala (Vipul Gupta) and Avinash (Muzzamil Ibrahim) – all clearly dispensable as their recruitment, training, and skills are barely etched out.
The series, directed by Shivam Nair, creates scale by excessively using establishing shots. The script (Pandey, Deepak Kingrani, Benazir Ali Fida) resorts to repetitive dialogue and sweeping conveniences. Suspense is built...
