Review by: Faisal Saif
Reality One: In the year 1980 (Mumbai), A big showroom of Jewellery was looted by some men posing ‘Fake’ C.B.I Officer’s. Those men were never caught by the Police Authorities. The investigations was digging further and it was reported similar kinds of Robberies took place in some other parts of India. Reality Two: Neeraj Pandey who gave a cult classic ‘A Wednesday‘ comes up with a film which is based on those Robberies where some men posed as Fake C.B.I officer’s plants a Real Heist. Reality Three: Top-Notch Actors get’s assigned to play the part of their Lifetime.
Reality Review: Four inglorious heroes posing as a C.B.I team plants fifty heists and one real C.B.I officer is assigned nab them. Ajay (Akshay Kumar) smart, daring and strong-willed. He’s the master-planner. Sharmaji (Anupam Kher), a weak-hearted, but the real ‘Loin of Punjab’. Iqbal (Kishore Kadam) and Joginder (Rajesh Sharma) who add muscle to the master-mind. In the late 1980’s these con-men pose as C.B.I officers and raid Dirty-Politician’s, Business Tycoon and Jewelers. No Official-Complaints made, No records or F.I.R’s, All four escape after every heist with a clean-chit and loads of black money. A Real C.B.I Officer, Waseem (Manoj Bajpayee) along with sub-inspector Ranveer (Jimmy Shergill) are assigned to nab them and a deadly chase begins when Ajay plants his last Heist in Mumbai.
Akshay Kumar shows his caliber of Acting in Full-Form. Kindly do not expect the routine Akshay Kumar comedy here, But his performance has lot more to offer. Anupam Kher rocks as Sharmaji. In fact, Anupam Kher is one such actor that refuses to leave your Brains even after you have left the Auditorium. Jimmy Sheirgill is class-apart. Please notice his character-turn once he realizes that he has become a ‘Victim’ of the Fake Imposter’s of C.B.I. As soon as the script goes in the hands of Manoj Bajpayee, The actor makes you feel that it’s his show. Brilliant performance by Manoj Bajpayee will leave you stunned. Kajal Aggarwal has nothing to offer, In fact she is wasted. Divya Dutta has an interesting role that provides some laughter. Kishore Kadam and Joginder lends a good support.
Director Neeraj Pandey deserves a standing ovation for the brilliance of executing this film. He weaves an intelligent, Mind-racing thriller which keeps you tightly strapped to your seats. The camera work by Bobby Singh deserves a special mention which captures the 1980’s era beautifully. The powerful background score enthuses the pace. The only place the film loses it’s grip is the romantic track and dance number which was really sounded very Un-Wanted.
The Final Reality Verdict: Special 26 is Tight, Fast Paced, Racy and Intelligently handled Reality-Check thriller which is sure to leave you Speechless!!!
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kajal Agarwal, Jimmy Sheirgill, Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher
Directed by: Neeraj Pandey
Ratings: **** (4/5)
