Special 26 * * *

The name 'Neeraj Pandey' might have slipped off your mind but not his masterpiece 'A Wednesday'. And  I bet that after watching Special 26, the name would always stay with you coupled with utter respect. Special 26 is the super-paced narration of a thriller based on true events in 1980s across the length and breadth of India when some con men disguised as Income Tax officials used to conduct fake raids especially robbing people with black money. There were no FIRs filed as black money is involved and thus the con men got clean sheets every time they conducted such Robinhood styled cons.

The screenplay and cinematography is such that it engages the audience till the very end which is creditable as there was so little to start with. But clearly Neeraj Pandey has succeeded to create a masterpiece from the little bits of information gathered from the true events. But the gem performances are surely the highlight of the movie. Anupam Kher and Akshay Kumar look authentic as smart con men of simple taste. Anupam Kher has definitely portrayed glimpses of sheer brilliance and matched well by the witty and composed Akshay. Manoj Vajapayee is mind blowing as the CBI office, asli wale, and his dialogue delivery and screen presence are intriguing. You might even like Jimmy Shergil for a change.

It would have not been easy to recreate the India of 1980s but as they say, most beautiful things are hard to get. And Neeraj Pandey's hard work has surely paid off. You never doubt the settings as he has left no loopholes for the audience to peek into. Moreover, he never gives you the time to break free from the fluid plot to poke into other dimensions. The authenticity and accuracy of even the minute details through out the movie is commendable. The only loose string here is the unnecessary and boring love angle of Akshay Kumar and the couple of songs that appear just for the sake of having a song or two being a Bollywood product. He could have avoided it saving some screen time and getting rid of the undue and abrupt breaks in a hell of a ride.

The catch of the movie is the fast paced portrayal, sublime performances and super duper climax which is hard to crack. Those who are pissed off post the disappointing 'Midnight's Children' and those who have gathered that Any  Body Can not Act, this is your chance to fall in love with cinema again. A delight to watch. And really Special indeed!