Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill and Kajal Agarwal
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5
'Specially' Enthralling!!!!
Neeraj Pandey's 'A Wednesday' took everyone by surprise. It's a film that clearly defined the true power of cinema.
'Content is king' was Neeraj's motto then, which fortunately has not changed even now with 'Special 26'.
The film is a screen adaptation of a real life robbery that happened back in 1987. A group of men disguised as CBI officials raid a Jewelry store in Opera House, Mumbai and leading them are Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar) and P K Sharma (Anupam Kher).
Pandey, first effortlessly sets the plot, with Singh conning Delhi-based minister and looting quite a hefty sum from him.
The screenplay gets as real and interesting as it can when money is found from every nook and corner of the minister's house.
Akshay Kumar, known for brainless masala comic entertainers, gives a film that will take his fans by surprise. He convincingly plays Ajay Singh and shines as an actor.
Kajal Aggarwal's romantic track added was rather unnecessary. The lady adds no value to the film. Anupam Kher gives more than just support to the lead. He is one of the main highlights of the film.
Manoj Bajpayee, yet again delivers a spectacular performance. So much so, that no actor could match up to his caliber when in the same frame. Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta too do not disappoint.
The climax is the main reason why the film works and Pandey get a 10 on 10 on this front. The film ends really well with a never-thought-of climax, which is why it is a complete thumbs up.
But its not merely the climax that is really enthralling, the entire film too lives up to expectations.
Music of the film is average, however, it's Kareem's background score that really compliments its pace.
Late Bobby Singh's cinematography wins accolades. Bringing back the 80s with elan is one of the main reasons the film will be loved by one and all.
It's gripping and makes you think, quite the opposite of what logic-less thrillers have been doing to Indian cinema, these days.
Kudos to Pandey to keep content first and then think about Box Office numbers and commercial aspects!
Now, this doesn't mean that the film is part of parallel cinema, it is as mainstream as it can get. GO WATCH IT!!!