Episodes: 7
Genre: Thriller, Action
Starring: Kay Kay Menon, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Karan Tacker, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim
Directors: Neeraj Pandey, Shivam Nair
Streaming Platform: JioCinema & Disney+ Hotstar
Stars : 4
In a world where the lines between physical warfare and digital combat have all but vanished, Special Ops 2 emerges as a slick, suspenseful, and smartly layered espionage drama that speaks to our times. Co-directed by Neeraj Pandey and Shivam Nair, this season pivots from traditional terror plots to the terrifying possibilities of AI-powered cyber warfare — and does so with confidence, flair, and just the right touch of emotional depth.
The plot kicks off in Budapest, where Dr. Piyush Bhargav (Arif Zakaria), an AI genius with deep ties to India’s defense architecture, vanishes under mysterious circumstances. The abduction sets off alarm bells in New Delhi, and RAW veteran Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) is brought back into action. This time, he’s not just dealing with an external threat; the battle is as much internal — corruption, betrayal, and institutional rot — as it is global.
What sets Special Ops 2 apart is the way it juggles multiple threads without fully losing control of its narrative. Yes, it’s dense and at times a bit too eager to touch every global hotspot — from Rawalpindi to Tbilisi to Slovenia — but this is also part of its charm. It's a spy show with global ambition, drawing you into a chess game where each move is high-stakes and irreversible.
Kay Kay Menon is, unsurprisingly, the spine of the show. His portrayal of Himmat Singh is magnetic — calm, unshakeable, and always two steps ahead. He doesn't need car chases or shootouts to command attention. Instead, his arsenal lies in steely glances, sharp dialogue, and a razor-sharp mind that connects dots others don't even see.
But Special Ops 2 isn't just a one-man show. Tahir Raj Bhasin as Sudhir, the brain behind the cyber assault, is a revelation. He exudes menace without raising his voice, and his chilling composure makes for a compelling antagonist. His motives — targeting India’s financial system and digital infrastructure — make the conflict feel disturbingly real.
Supporting characters like Farooq (Karan Tacker), Juhi (Saiyami Kher), Avinash (Muzammil Ibrahim), and tech expert Harminder (Kamakshi Bhatt) add color and energy. While some arcs feel underwritten — especially the female agents who deserved more agency — they still leave an impression.
Visually, the show is polished. Arvind Singh and Dimo Popov’s cinematography turns European alleys and South Asian chaos into frames worth pausing. The score by Advait Nemlekar amplifies the urgency without ever overpowering the narrative, and the standout ghazal "Sajaniya Yaad Aaye" cleverly contrasts the digital chaos with soulful nostalgia.
The writing is sharp in places and clunky in others. A few sequences — like a dramatic bar standoff or an operatic escape scene — demand suspension of disbelief, and some dialogue feels forced. The pacing stutters in the first couple of episodes but finds its rhythm soon after.
Importantly, the show isn't afraid to get political. It takes potshots at fugitive tycoons, corrupt bankers, and even throws in subtle jabs at global power games involving China and the US. While the messages don’t always land with nuance, they do give the show a pulse — a reminder that espionage is never just about guns and gadgets, but also ideology and influence.
Prakash Raj’s role as Subramanyam, Himmat’s mentor, adds a philosophical dimension. His scenes particularly a stirring monologue on how democracies erode when citizens stop asking questions ground the series in a real-world moral framework.
Special Ops 2 is not flawless, but it’s a gripping sequel that builds meaningfully on its predecessor. It’s a series with ambition narratively, thematically, and visually. While some threads could’ve used tightening and a few action set pieces needed more finesse, it ultimately delivers what any great spy series should: tension, intrigue, and the thrill of the chase.
Fans of high-stakes espionage, geopolitical thrillers, and character-driven action dramas should not miss this !