Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story Explained

Genre:Action
Espionage
Thriller
Composer:Advait Nemlekar
Country:India
Language:Hindi
Num Episodes:4
Location:Ukraine
Editor:Praveen Kathikuloth
Network:Disney+ Hotstar
Company:Friday Storytellers
Producer:Shital Bhatia
Runtime:34-51 min
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Related:Special OPS

Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story is a Hindi action thriller series created and directed by Neeraj Pandey for Disney+ Hotstar.[1] The series is set inside the Special Ops Universe and stars Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh. The series premiered on 12 November 2021.[2]

Cast

Production

The series was formally announced by Disney+ Hotstar in January 2021 with Kay Kay Menon attached to star. In the same month Aftab Shivdasani joined the cast.[3]

Filming

The series started production in February, 2021.[4] The series was shot in Ukraine in July 2021,[5] with the Ukraine leg of the shoot completed in Kyiv in the same month.[6]

Release

The four-episode series premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on November 12, 2021, as part of Disney+ Day.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Promotion

A teaser of the show was released on 14 October 2021 on the social media handles of Disney+ Hotstar. The trailer was leaked online before its official release on October 19, 2021.[11]

Reception

Archika Khurana writing for The Times of India commented "Kay Kay Menon’s Himmat Singh leaves a lasting impression as a RAW agent" rating 3 out of 5 stars.[12]

Manik Sharma writing for Firstpost noted, "It is understandable that Special Ops 1.5 is a detour to make Himmat Singh more personable, instead of the maverick he was shown in the first season, but the story is too disjointed to pull this narrative heist off."[13]

Udita Jhunjhunwala writing for Scroll noted that Special Ops 1.5 feels like an appetiser and a palate cleanser while we wait for the main course, because there's clearly more to come from Neeraj Pandey, Menon, Himmat Singh and his special ops team.[14]

Bhavna Agarwal from Bollywood Bubble commented "Neeraj Pandey's approach to the story with his lenses and storyline is the strength of the prequel backed by a fluid screenplay. Kay Kay Menon returns as Himmat Singh along with Aftab Shivdasani and Vinay Pathak in pivotal roles."[15]

Prateek Sur received the show positively and rated it 3.5 out of 5.[16]

Sequel

In April 2022, Neeraj Pandey confirmed that the third season of Special OPS is under production and will be released in early 2023.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Disney+Hotstar announces Special Ops 1.5, the backstory of Himmat Singh . India Today . 2021-01-22 . 2021-08-03.
  2. Web site: Layton . Mark . India's Disney+ Hotstar expands 'Special Ops Universe' . TBI Vision . 2021-01-25 . 2021-08-03.
  3. Web site: Bhasin . Shriya . Aftab Shivdasani joins 'Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story' . Google . 2021-02-16 . 2021-08-03.
  4. Web site: Kameshwari . A. . Kay Kay Menon starrer Special Ops 1.5 begins shoot, declares Neeraj Pandey . The Indian Express . 2021-02-13 . 2021-08-03.
  5. Web site: Hungama . Bollywood . Special Ops 1.5: Aftab Shivdasani shows what WFH looks like as he shares BTS picture with Kay Kay Menon and Aadil Khan in Ukraine : Bollywood News . Bollywood Hungama . 2021-07-27 . 2021-08-03.
  6. 1421699467376349184. neerajpofficial. Bye bye Ukraine!.Last leg of #specialops 1.5.@kaykaymenon02 @AftabShivdasani @aadilkhanitis @FridayStorytel1… . 1 August 2021.
  7. Web site: Desk . Entertainment . Special Ops 1.5 trailer: Kay Kay Menon's Himmat Singh is on another globetrotting mission . The Indian Express . 2021-10-19 . 2021-10-19.
  8. Web site: Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story starring Kay Kay Menon to premiere on Hotstar . Google . 2021-08-03.
  9. Web site: Special Ops 1.5: Neeraj Pandey Talks On Using Unconventional Title . Koimoi . 2021-02-17 . 2021-08-03.
  10. Web site: Ramachandran . Naman . Disney Plus Hotstar Reveals Robust India Slate . Variety . 2021-07-27 . 2021-08-03.
  11. Web site: Kay Kay Menon's Special Ops 1.5 The Himmat Story trailer drops hours after being leaked online . India Today . 2021-10-19 . 2021-10-19.
  12. Web site: Khurana . Archika . Special Ops 1.5 Season 1 Review: Kay Kay Menon's Himmat Singh leaves a lasting impression as a RAW agent . News . 2021-11-12 . 2021-11-12.
  13. Web site: Special Ops 1.5 review: Kay Kay Menon's towering portrayal of Himmat Singh dwarfs all signs of mediocrity around . Firstpost . 2021-11-12 . 2021-11-12.
  14. Web site: Jhunjhunwala . Udita . 'Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story' review: Solid performances and an intense Kay Kay Menon . Scroll.in . 2021-11-12 . 2021-11-12.
  15. Web site: 2021-11-12. Special Ops 1.5 REVIEW: Kay Kay Menon, Aftab Shivdasani and Vinay Pathak starrer sets the right precedent for a stellar prequel. 2021-11-12. Bollywood Bubble. en.
  16. Web site: 'Special Ops 1.5' Review: Kay Kay Menon's Performance And The Taut Storyline Keeps You Hooked . Outlook India . 2021-11-13 . 2021-11-13.
  17. Web site: 2022-04-20 . INTERVIEW: Neeraj Pandey on Operation Romeo, Vikram Vedha, Special Ops 2 and Chanakya . 2022-04-21 . PINKVILLA . en.