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Special 26
The poster features faces of all top-billed actors. The film title appears at bottom-left.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNeeraj Pandey
Written byNeeraj Pandey
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBobby Singh
Edited byShree Narayan Singh
Music bySongs:
M. M. Kreem
Guest Composer:
Himesh Reshammiya
Score:
Surinder Sodhi
Production
companies
Distributed byViacom18 Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 8 February 2013 (2013-02-08)
Running time
144 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box officeest. ₹103 crore[2]

Special 26 is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language period heist thriller film written and directed by Neeraj Pandey. Based on the 1987 Opera House heist, the plot follows a team of criminals (Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher), who pose as CBI officers and conduct raids, robbing politicians and businessmen of their black money. With the real CBI (Manoj Bajpayee) on their trail, they decide to pull off their biggest heist yet. The film also stars Jimmy Sheirgill, Kajal Aggarwal, Rajesh Sharma, Divya Dutta and Kishor Kadam.

Filming began on 23 February 2012 in Delhi. The film was shot in Chandni Chowk, near Jama Masjid,[3] and Mumbai. A theatrical trailer was released online on 20 December 2012.[4] The film was distributed all over India by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures.

Special 26 was released on 8 February 2013. It received widespread critical acclaim. Several critics called it one of the best films of the year.[5][6] It became a commercial success, grossing ₹103 crore (equivalent to ₹175 crore or US$21 million in 2023).

In 2018, it was remade in Tamil as Thaanaa Serndha Koottam starring Suriya in Kumar's role.

Plot

[edit]

The film opens on 18 March 1987. The scene then transitions to flashback.

Ajay calls a local police station to obtain more manpower for a CBI raid. He speaks to SI Ranveer Singh who agrees to send the required number of support officers. Ajay, with accomplices P. K. Sharma, Joginder Khurana and Iqbal Ali, meet the supporting officers and conduct the raid.

After their successful raid at a minister's house, it's revealed that Ajay and P. K. are fake CBI officers, along with their two accomplices. They then move to different parts of the country and merge into their everyday lifestyles. Ajay's love interest, Priya Chauhan, an about-to-be-married teacher, is introduced. The crew meets again in Chandigarh at the behest of P. K. for his daughter's wedding.

Ranveer, with his senior officer, meets the mini prosecutor of the earlier raid, who reveals that he doesn't want the news to appear in the public domain because he wants to protect his image. The senior officer suspends Ranveer, along with his colleague Shanti, for being irresponsible.

Waseem Khan, an honest CBI officer lives with his wife and child in New Delhi. A disgraced Ranveer meets Khan, and they join forces to apprehend Ajay and his accomplices.

Meanwhile, the next raid planned by Ajay is conducted on a traders' business in Calcutta, with the raiders posing as officers from the Income Tax Department. Following the more difficult but successful raid, Khan insists that this should be reported in the newspaper, despite nobody coming forward to report it themselves, as black money is involved. Upon seeing this in the newspaper, Ajay and P. K. decide to conduct their "big job," a final raid in Bombay. Meanwhile, Ranveer finds information about P. K. and Khan orders wire-tapping his phone. When P. K. is talking to Ajju on the phone, Khan procures several details about them. Under Khan's orders, officers track the crew to Bombay to a hotel where they're staying. They plan to raid and hence rob a big jewellery store.

Ajay, followed by a CBI officer, goes to a newspaper to advertise for "50 dynamic graduates" with details of an interview. Khan embeds his officers among the candidates and they are selected. Khan finds out the details of the training process, which includes a mock raid. It is stated that, on the day, the candidates will be trained and then led out for the mock raid in the afternoon.

To find out more, Khan and Ranveer go to the hotel and force their way into Sharma's room. He divulges the information about the raid, following a threat of violence. He also mentions that Ajay is taking revenge on the CBI for not appointing him. Khan orders Sharma to ensure everything proceeds as normal.

On the day of the raid, Khan takes charge of the jewellery store and replaces the goods with fake jewellery, with the originals being moved to the jewellery store's own workshop. Ajay informs the recruits that he will come in a different vehicle to them. P. K. leaves with the recruits in a bus, but leaves the bus at police headquarters, saying that he will arrive with Ajay. He also states that nobody should leave the bus until they arrive and that he is going to verify the paperwork for the raid at the Police HQ. In reality, he goes to meet Ranveer and Shanti. With Ajay, a raid of the workshop is carried out. Ajay then goes and meets Priya, who is ready for departure at the airport.

Meanwhile, at the jewellery store, Khan is informed that the raid was conducted at the workshop and all jewellery in the workshop along with the jewellery that was moved were stolen. Khan works it all out for himself, realizing that Ranveer was part of the gang and he wasn't a real police officer and they were set up right from the beginning and Ajay and his gangs have misled him to think he is in control all the time. Furious and at the same time impressed by the cunning of Ajay and his gang, Khan starts laughing loudly and applauds the entire robbery plan and execution. Later, Khan receives a money order for Rs. 100 that Ajay had taken from him with the message that he could not steal the honest earnings of an officer. The film ends with Khan being told over the phone that the CBI has information about the perpetrators. At the same time, Ajay and P. K. are seen enjoying a cricket match happily at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium.

Cast

[edit]
Aggarwal with Akshay Kumar during the promotions of their film in 2013

Credits as per given in film:-

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The film takes its foundations from the robbery of 19 March 1987, when 26 people posing as CBI officials raided a jewellery store in Opera House, Bombay.

Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan were reported to have been considered for the lead role. It went to Akshay Kumar as he was Pandey's first choice.[7] Manoj Bajpai was signed to play the CBI officer.[8] and Anupam Kher plays a vital role.[9] Kajal Aggarwal plays a specially-written role of Ajay Singh's love interest as a school teacher.[10][11][12] Akshay Kumar slashed his fee by half for Special Chabbis.[13][14]

Filming

[edit]

Shooting began on 23 February 2012 in Delhi. The first schedule of the film was shot in Chandni Chowk, following which the unit moved to Jama Masjid.[15]

Music

[edit]
Special 26
Soundtrack album by
M. M. Kreem and Himesh Reshammiya
Released9 January 2013 (2013-01-09)
Recorded2013
VenueHyderabad, Mumbai
StudioPrasad Film Laboratories,
Hyderabad
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length25:28
LabelT-Series
ProducerFriday Filmworks
M. M. Kreem chronology
Shirdi Sai
(2012) 		Special 26
(2013) 		Emo Gurram Egaravachu
(2013)
Himesh Reshammiya chronology
Khiladi 786
(2012) 		Special 26
(2013) 		Shortcut Romeo
(2013)

The soundtrack album of Special 26 was composed by noted South Indian film composer M. M. Keeravani credited as M. M. Kreem. Himesh Reshammiya, was roped in as the guest composer for the song "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" which was written by Shabbir Ahmed, and the rest of them were penned by Irshad Kamil. All the songs were recorded at Prasad Film Laboratories in Hyderabad, and Silver Harmony in Mumbai. The music rights were acquired by T-Series and the album was released on 9 January 2013, at a promotional event held in PVR, Mumbai.[16] The background score of the film is composed by Surinder Sodhi.

All music is composed by M. M. Kreem and lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil, except the track "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" was composed by Himesh Reshammiya as guest composer, and lyrics written by Shabbir Ahmed.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Tujh Sang Lagee"KK, M. M. Kreem4:13
2."Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen"Aman Trikha, Shreya Ghoshal, Shabab Sabri4:06
3."Kaun Mera Kya" (Female)Chaitra Ambadipudi2:57
4."Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa" (Version 1)Keerthi Sagathia4:24
5."Kaun Mera Kya" (Male)Papon2:54
6."Dhar Pakad"Bappi Lahiri2:22
7."Kaun Mera Kya" (Film Version)Sunidhi Chauhan2:32
8."Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa" (Version 2)M. M. Kreem3:20
9."Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa" (Film Version)Akshay Kumar3:13
Total length:25:28

Marketing and release

[edit]

Special Chabbis released on for around ₹120 million (US$1.4 million).[17][18] The producers have ₹500 million (US$5.9 million) investment on Special Chabbis, as the film has fetched around ₹350 million (US$4.1 million) from sale of the territory rights across India.[19][20] Special 26 was made on a budget of around ₹300 million (US$3.5 million), with a publicity and advertising budget of around ₹120 million (US$1.4 million).[21]

Since the film is set in late-1980s, the title was designed to resemble the type-face of newspapers back then

The theatrical trailer was released online on 20 December 2012.[22] The first promos of Nautanki Saala and Chashme Baddoor were attached to Special 26.[23] The movie was distributed all over India by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures. Akshay Kumar, with the rest of the cast of Special Chabbis, were scheduled to visit the crime spot of the incident that inspired the film.[24][25] A special screening was held for CBI officials on 5 February 2013.[26]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Bollywood HungamaStarStarStarStar[27]
CNN-IBNStarStarStarHalf star[28]
Hindustan TimesStarStarStarHalf star[5]
NDTVStarStarStarStar[29]
RediffStarStarStarHalf star[6]
The Times of IndiaStarStarStarHalf star[30]
Zee NewsStarStarStarStar[31]

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the score of 4 out of 5, and said "Special Chabbis is an intelligently woven, slick and smart period thriller with its subject matter as its USP. It's sure to get listed as one of the most gripping heist dramas based on real life occurrences."[27]

Anupama Chopra, writing for Hindustan Times, gave 3.5 stars out of 5, calling it one of the best films of the year and praising its attention to detail, its character building, the plot's steady but sure sense of immediacy and urgency, and the elaborate cat-and-mouse chase between the conmen and the police. She criticises the unnecessary addition of the love angle in an otherwise gripping script, along with the unconvincing nature of its climax.[5]

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "Special 26 is an intelligently scripted, superbly acted, enthralling and believable heist film that is more than just that."[29]

Resham Sengar of Zee News rated the film 4 out of 5, stating, "Very rarely would you come across a logically scripted and intelligently-directed drama thriller churned out from the good ol' Hindi cine factory these days. And here's a promising Neeraj Pandey for you who is back with a bang (and bang on target) with another awe inspiring film Special 26."[31]

Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave 3.5 out of 5, saying "Special Chabbis works on account of its meaty, realistic plot and nicely fleshed out characters. This is solid, assured filmmaking, evident in the meticulous detailing of its 80s production design. The film charms you with its subtle humor, through characters played by Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta."[28]

Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India gave the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, while adding, "Special 26 doesn't stun you with a social message like Pandey's 'A Wednesday!', but it grips, excites and ahh...climaxes too! And no ... you can't fake this one! Catch it for pure cinematic orgasm."[30]

Sukanya Verma for Rediff.com gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and said, "Special Chabbis is one of the finest films of the year so far."[6]

Newstrackindia stated that Special 26 is a no-nonsense film from Akshay.[32]

Box office

[edit]

India

[edit]

Special 26 opened at 30% occupancy on Thursday morning but it improved steadily till the evening shows to 60% due to positive reviews.[33] The film netted ₹5.75 crore (US$680,000) on its first day[34] and further grow to make ₹23.1 crore (US$2.7 million) in its first weekend.[35] The film collected around ₹3.75 crore (US$440,000) nett on Monday.[36] It netted around ₹38.7 crore (US$4.6 million) in its first week.[37] In its second weekend it has a collection of around ₹1.99 crore (US$240,000) to bring its ten-day figure to around ₹48 crore (US$5.7 million) nett.[38] In its second week, the film netted ₹17.99 crore (US$2.1 million) taking its total business to nearly ₹56.7 crore (US$6.7 million) in India.[39] It eventually netted around ₹65.7 crore (US$7.8 million) with a distributor share of ₹31.8 crore (US$3.8 million) in domestic market.[40][41]

The worldwide gross of Special 26 stands at ₹129 crore (US$15 million).[2]

Overseas

[edit]

Special 26 had low opening overseas with a collection of $1.25 million its first weekend.[42] It further netted around $2.35 million in ten days.[43] Its final overseas collections was US$2.75 million.[44]

Remake

[edit]

Special 26 was remade in Tamil titled Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018) starring Suriya and Keerthy Suresh in lead roles, and was directed by Vignesh Shivan. The film was released on 12 January 2018.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Special 26

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Special 26 is a Indian Hindi-language period heist thriller film written and directed by , loosely based on the real-life in where con artists posed as (CBI) officers to rob a prominent jewelry store. The story is set in the and follows a skilled of imposters, led by Sagar (played by ), who conduct elaborate fake raids on wealthy businessmen and politicians by masquerading as government officials from agencies like the CBI or . Their operations culminate in a high-stakes heist at a high-profile jeweler, but the group soon finds themselves pursued by a determined real CBI team headed by an officer portrayed by . The film features a strong ensemble cast including as Kumar's accomplice, as another team member, and in a supporting role, blending elements of , , and social commentary on during that era. Released on 8 February 2013, Special 26 was produced by Aruna Bhatia and under and , with a runtime of approximately 144 minutes. It received widespread critical acclaim for its tight screenplay, authentic period setting, and standout performances, particularly Kumar's portrayal of the conman, earning an 8.0/10 rating on from over 61,000 users and a 91% approval score on based on limited reviews. Commercially, the film was a major success, grossing approximately ₹104 worldwide against a budget of ₹50 , establishing it as one of the highest-grossing films of 2013 and highlighting Pandey's reputation for crafting engaging thrillers rooted in real events.

Overview

Plot

The film is set in 1987 and opens with a group of con artists led by Ajay Singh posing as officers from the (CBI) to execute a raid on the residence of a corrupt in . Using forged warrants, official-looking documents, and confident psychological manipulation, they intimidate the household into surrendering hidden black money and jewelry, while directing the assisting local , Ranveer Singh, to secure the perimeter without revealing their true intentions. After the successful heist, Ranveer realizes he has been duped and faces suspension from his duties for the oversight. Motivated by a desire for and redemption, the suspended Ranveer approaches the genuine CBI for help, partnering with senior officer Waseem Khan to investigate the series of similar "raids" plaguing the city. Meanwhile, Ajay, driven by a personal vendetta stemming from his father's tragic death due to systemic , assembles his core team—including his trusted mentor , the tech-savvy , and the muscle-bound Iqbal—for more operations across northern . The group targets wealthy businessmen and politicians whose illicit wealth prevents them from reporting the thefts, allowing the con artists to evade capture through a combination of meticulous planning, disguise, and exploiting victims' fear of exposure. As the investigation intensifies, Ranveer tracks down , who is scouting for the team's ambitious final score: a high-profile jewelry emporium in Calcutta rumored to hold vast quantities of smuggled gold. The team executes the heist by posing as a special CBI acting on a tip about operations, coercing the jeweler to open all vaults and safes under the pretense of a thorough search. They systematically pack the valuables into crates labeled as evidence, using diversions and authority to maintain control amid rising suspicion from the staff. The plan unravels when Waseem's CBI unit, alerted by Ranveer's leads, arrives at the scene, sparking a high-stakes foot chase through the bustling streets of Calcutta. In a pivotal twist, it is revealed that Ranveer has been an undercover member of Ajay's all along, feeding to the CBI to ensure the escape. The con artists slip away with the multimillion-rupee haul, dissolving into anonymity, while Ajay reflects on his lifelong grudge against the corrupt elite that destroyed his family, underscoring the blurred lines between justice and in their world of deception.

Cast

Special 26 features an of acclaimed Bollywood actors, blending action stars with character performers to portray the film's intricate web of s and investigators. The principal roles highlight the collaborative dynamic among the leads, supported by a roster of reliable supporting talents.
ActorCharacter(s)Role Description
Ajay Singh (also known as Ajju / Mon Singh)The confident leader of the con artist group
P.K. (Father Sebastian / Pandit Vidhyasagar / Sharma Ji)A multifaceted con artist skilled in assuming various disguises
CBI Officer Wasim KhanA tenacious CBI officer spearheading the pursuit
Senior Inspector An experienced police inspector involved in the investigation
Priya Chavan (Ajay's girlfriend)The romantic interest providing emotional support to Ajay
Shanti JiA con artist posing as Police Constable Shanti, part of the and involved in the final twist
Rajesh A member of the con team handling operational aspects
Kishore KadamIqbalA member of the con team, providing muscle for the operations
RahulInspector Rahul Singh, a in the investigation team
ACP (Fake)An actor portraying a fabricated figure
This cast assembly underscores the film's reliance on group interplay, with each performer contributing to the layered of deception and pursuit.

Production

Development

The development of Special 26 began with director Pandey's fascination for real-life con operations in , particularly the in , where a group of 26 men disguised as (CBI) officials raided a jewelry store and escaped with jewellery and cash worth approximately ₹30 . Pandey expanded this into a broader inspired by multiple similar incidents during the , including other fake raids by con men posing as government officials across cities, drawing from newspaper clippings to capture the audacity and era-specific details of such crimes. Although the perpetrators of the Opera House heist were never apprehended, limiting access to official police records, Pandey conducted detailed into the event and related stories to blend factual elements with fictional storytelling for authenticity. Scriptwriting emphasized a period heist thriller with black comedy undertones, positioning the lead as an anti-hero leading a gang of imposters targeting corrupt elites. For the central role of Sagar alias Ajay Singh, Pandey envisioned Akshay Kumar from the outset, citing his versatility in action-oriented roles as ideal for portraying a charismatic yet morally ambiguous con artist; he waited three years to secure Kumar, undeterred by the actor's recent commercial setbacks, as the fit was paramount over current form. Pre-production planning involved collaboration with , the production banner co-founded by Pandey and producer in 2008, alongside partners Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures, to handle the period setting and requirements. The film was budgeted at approximately ₹45 , reflecting a mid-scale focused on script-driven tension rather than high-octane spectacle, allowing for efficient execution of the 1980s aesthetic through practical locations in , , , and .

Filming

Principal photography for Special 26 commenced on 23 February 2012 in and wrapped up after 47 days, with additional shooting in , , and to authentically recreate . The production team selected these urban centers to capture the period's architectural and cultural essence, including bustling markets and government offices that mirrored the film's narrative timeline. Key sequences, such as the climactic heist inspired by the 1987 real-life event, were filmed at actual jewelry stores and government buildings in , enhanced with period-appropriate props like vintage cars, rotary phones, and 1980s attire to immerse viewers in the era. In , raid scenes were shot in historic areas like near Jama Masjid, where the crew recreated chaotic public interactions to heighten tension. The film was captured on 35mm negative using an camera equipped with Zeiss Ultra Prime lenses, contributing to its gritty, authentic visual texture before a process. Raid sequences employed split-screen techniques to depict multi-perspective action dynamically, while the production minimized visual effects in favor of practical stunts and location-based filming for realism. On-set challenges included the tight 47-day schedule, which demanded efficient coordination for elaborate crowd scenes simulating high-stakes raids in public spaces. Actors like and prepared extensively for their disguises as CBI officers, involving makeup tests and costume fittings to convincingly portray multiple identities across the film's cons. Scheduling shoots around urban traffic and weather disruptions further tested the crew's logistics.

Music and Soundtrack

Composition

The background score for Special 26 was composed by , whose work emphasized building suspense and tension to complement the film's thriller elements. The film's songs were primarily composed by M. M. Kreem, a South Indian composer returning to Bollywood after a hiatus, with contributing one track. Kreem's approach focused on situational numbers that integrated emotional depth and simplicity, as noted by singer , who described his compositions like "Kaun Mera" as deceptively straightforward yet profoundly evocative. The lyrics, primarily written by with one track by Shabbir Ahmed, were tailored to fit the narrative's period setting and thematic needs. All songs were arranged by Jeevan Babu. The music was integrated to enhance key sequences, with Kreem's cues providing rhythmic energy during and scenes, while Sodhi's score heightened urgency in chase and confrontation moments, aligning the audio layer closely with the heist-driven plot.

Track Listing

The for Special 26 was released by T-Series on 10 January 2013, comprising seven tracks primarily composed by M. M. Kreem (credited as M. M. Kareem), with one composition by . The album was made available in physical format and early digital platforms, marking T-Series' continued dominance in Bollywood music distribution during that period.
No.TitleSinger(s)LyricistDuration
1"Tujh Sang Lagee"KK4:14
2"Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfan Di Chhaavan"Aman Trikha, , Shabab SabriShabbir Ahmed4:06
3"Kaun Mera"Chaitra Ambadipudi3:42
4"Mujh Mein Tu"4:26
5"Kaun Mera" (Male version)Papon3:42
6"Dharpakad"4:11
7"Kaun Mera" (Female version)3:42
The track "Dharpakad" stands out with Bappi Lahiri's energetic vocals, aligning with the film's con operation sequences through its upbeat, playful tone. Meanwhile, songs like "Mujh Mein Tu" and "Tujh Sang Lagee" highlight the romantic elements in the narrative, providing emotional depth to character interactions.

Marketing and Distribution

Promotion

The promotional campaign for Special 26 emphasized the film's heist thriller elements, drawing on its basis in real events to create intrigue through innovative and interactive strategies. The first promotional teasers, launched in early January 2013, featured simulated CBI raids in public spaces, mimicking the con artists' tactics in the film to generate buzz and media attention. These teaser campaigns highlighted the theme of fake versus real government officials, prompting widespread discussion in news outlets. The official theatrical trailer was released online on December 21, 2012, showcasing the and high-stakes raid sequences, which quickly gained traction among audiences. Additional promotional videos, such as the "Promo 1" dialogue teaser on , 2013, further built anticipation by revealing key character dynamics and the film's period setting. In response to the campaign's raid simulations, the (CBI) requested a disclaimer on all posters and materials to educate the public on verifying genuine officers, leading the producers to include contact details for CBI's branch: "BEWARE OF FAKE CBI OFFICERS - Please verify from CBI, Anti-Corruption, Tanna House, 8108224455, 22882794." To engage fans directly, lead actor spearheaded press tours in major Indian cities, including promotional appearances in on January 28, 2013, where he discussed the film's themes, and in on February 1, 2013, alongside co-star , supporting broader causes like girl child advocacy to amplify visibility. These events targeted Kumar's established fanbase, leveraging his action-hero image to drive interest in the thriller genre. The marketing budget, allocated at approximately ₹12 for publicity and advertising (P&A), represented a significant portion of the film's overall ₹54 investment, with strategies focused on digital trailers, print media, and star-driven events to maximize reach ahead of the February 8, 2013, release. This allocation underscored the emphasis on Kumar's mass appeal to ensure strong pre-release hype without relying on extensive merchandise tie-ups.

Theatrical Release

Special 26 was theatrically released on 8 February 2013 in and select international markets, including the , , and . The film received a U/A certification from the (CBFC), indicating suitability for viewers aged 12 and above with parental guidance. Distribution in was managed by Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures, with the film opening on approximately 1,600 screens nationwide to ensure wide accessibility. This rollout strategy targeted major urban centers while extending to regional theaters, capitalizing on the film's Hindi-language appeal. Digital rights were acquired by , where it became available for streaming starting in 2017. As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on in select regions, including , and for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV.

Reception

Critical Response

Special 26 received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with an average rating of approximately 8/10 from major Indian critics. of awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, praising its intelligent screenplay and period authenticity, stating, "SPECIAL 26 is an intelligently woven, slick and smart period thriller with its subject matter as its USP." Similarly, the gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting its engaging heist narrative and strong performances. Critics lauded director Neeraj Pandey's ability to build suspense through a tight screenplay filled with twists, drawing comparisons to his earlier work . Rajeev Masand commended the film's meticulous 1980s production design and subtle humor, noting, "This is solid, assured filmmaking... The film charms you with its subtle humor." Akshay Kumar's portrayal of the lead con artist marked a successful shift to more serious roles, earning praise for his effortless conviction, while the ensemble cast, including and , was highlighted for its chemistry and authenticity in tense scenes. Some reviews pointed to minor flaws, such as pacing issues in the first half and predictability in the second, with observing, "If the film falters occasionally, blame it on the pacing; the first half is a little slow to take off, and the second half is a touch predictable." noted "glaring flaws in its screenplay" despite its entertainment value, and several critics, including those from , mentioned the limited scope for female characters like Kajal Aggarwal's role. Internationally, the film garnered positive reception for its execution within the heist genre. On , it holds a 91% approval rating based on 11 reviews, with critics appreciating its gripping plot and stellar performances. lacks an aggregated critic score but features mixed individual critiques, such as the review which noted superficial tension, while user scores remain high at 8.4/10.

Commercial Performance

Special 26 emerged as a commercial success at the , grossing a worldwide total of ₹103.62 . Made on a budget of ₹50 , the film recovered its investment multiple times over, achieving a multiplier of approximately 2.07 times its cost based on worldwide gross collections. This performance marked it as a hit in the Bollywood industry. In , the film collected ₹65.47 nett (₹88.72 gross) over its theatrical run, with the first week accounting for ₹44.05 nett. The circuit dominated domestic earnings, contributing ₹24.71 nett, underscoring the film's strong appeal in urban centers. Collections showed steady holds during subsequent weekends, supported by positive word-of-mouth that sustained audience interest beyond the opening. Overseas markets added $2.76 million (approximately ₹15.18 crore) to the tally, with key contributions from the US/Canada ($1.38 million) and the UK (£0.24 million). The international performance was driven by Indian diaspora audiences, particularly in these regions, where the film's heist thriller elements resonated well. The film's profitability positioned it as a benchmark for mid-budget heist entertainers, akin to the commercial trajectory of the Dhoom series, though on a more modest scale relative to those bigger productions. Its success highlighted the viability of content-driven thrillers in achieving strong returns without relying on extravagant action set pieces.

Legacy

Awards and Nominations

Special 26 garnered recognition from several prominent Indian film awards in 2013 and 2014, highlighting the performances of its lead actors and the direction by . At the held in 2014, the film received nominations for Best Supporting Actor for . The technical aspects were also acknowledged with a nomination for Best Background Score for Surendra Singh Sodhi. The 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in 2014 nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of P.K. Sharma. In the Star Screen Awards of 2014, was nominated for Best Actor - Popular Choice, while received a for Best Supporting Actor. The film was honored with a win at the for Best Film in a Thriller category. Overall, Special 26 accumulated 13 nominations across major ceremonies including , IIFA, and during 2013-2014.

Remakes and Influence

The 2013 Hindi film Special 26 was officially remade in Tamil as Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018), directed by and starring in the lead role, adapting the core plot of con artists posing as CBI officers to execute a heist. Producers acquired remake rights for multiple South Indian languages, including Telugu, , and , with announcements in 2014 indicating plans for versions in those industries, though only the Tamil adaptation was realized. No direct remake has been produced, but the film's con artistry theme has echoed in broader Bollywood and OTT narratives exploring and financial schemes. Special 26 significantly influenced director Neeraj Pandey's filmmaking style, paving the way for his subsequent thriller Baby (2015), which similarly blended high-stakes action with real-world inspirations and starred in a lead role, achieving both critical and commercial success. The film's triumph marked a pivotal shift in 's career trajectory during the mid-2010s, reinforcing his transition from romantic comedies to more layered action-dramas and thrillers, as seen in follow-ups like Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014) and (2016), where he portrayed grounded, patriotic protagonists. In , Special 26 has endured through its availability on streaming platforms like since 2015, contributing to renewed viewer engagement with 1980s-era heist stories and prompting discussions on the between cinematic fiction and historical events like the 1987 Opera House raid. Its narrative of audacious cons inadvertently inspired real-world criminal attempts, with police reports citing the film as inspiration for several jewelry heists in , including incidents in Hyderabad (2021), (2023), and (July 2025).

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/special_26
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/
  3. https://letterboxd.com/film/special-26/
  4. https://www.netflix.com/title/70273637
  5. https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/mumbai/special-26/ET00012355
  6. https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1237
  7. https://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/special-26-review/
  8. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/special-26/critic-review/special-26-movie-review/
  9. https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/special-26-review-fast-aced-detailed-well-acted-but-618978.html
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/plotsummary/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/165904-26/cast
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/fullcredits/
  13. https://www.funrahi.com/movies/b/special-26/full-cast-crew/
  14. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/special-26/cast/2000190952/
  15. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/real-life-jewellery-heist-inspires-bollywood-thriller-special-26-idUSDEE90N0DM/
  16. https://m.economictimes.com/story-of-unsolved-opera-house-burglary-in-mumbai-rs-30-l-heist-amused-everyone-by-its-slick-execution/articleshow/18619056.cms
  17. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/waited-three-years-to-cast-akshay-neeraj-pandey/articleshow/17872974.cms
  18. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2020/Oct/31/revisitingspecial-26a-look-back-at-the-making-ofneeraj-pandeysblackcomedy-lesser-known-facts-1167.html
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/companycredits/
  20. https://www.sacnilk.com/news/Special_26_Box_Office_Collection_Day_Wise_Worldwide
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/locations/
  22. https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/bollywood/kajal-aggarwal-and-akshay-kumar-starrer-special-26-lesser-known-facts
  23. https://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-perfect-heist/articleshow/22060511.cms
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/technical/
  25. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/music/before-his-demise-rustoms-background-score-composer-surinder-sodhi-worked-for-a-marathi-film/articleshow/67208980.cms
  26. https://music.apple.com/us/album/special-26-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1116435434
  27. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/sunidhi-chauhan-i-entered-the-music-industry-when-there-was-no-demand-for-my-kind-of-voice-biginterview/articleshow/99006104.cms
  28. https://mm-kreem.bandcamp.com/album/special-26
  29. https://www.amazon.in/Special-26-M-M-Kreem/dp/B00AWUSI8Y
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLLHzLA0GHQ
  31. https://www.news18.com/news/music/special-26-music-review-the-songs-reflect-the-theme-532925.html
  32. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/cbi-officials-special-association-with-special-26/
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqWAtOvHa4k
  34. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/videos/movie-promos/promo-1-special-26/
  35. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/nothing-wrong-with-the-birth-of-girls-akshay-kumar/articleshow/18207702.cms
  36. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/anupam-akshay-support-kamal-haasan-on-movie-ban/articleshow/18273272.cms
  37. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/initial-reports-on-special-26-and-abcd-positive/articleshow/18464103.cms
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/releaseinfo/
  39. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/special-26
  40. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/special-26/movie-review/18381381.cms
  41. https://tanqeed.com/special-26-movie-review-by-rajeev-masand/
  42. https://www.mxmindia.com/blogs/reviewing-the-reviews-special-26/
  43. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/special-26/
  44. https://www.villagevoice.com/special-26-a-bollywood-mix-of-argo-and-oceans-eleven/
  45. https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/daily-breakdown/special-26-box-office-heres-the-daily-breakdown-of-akshay-kumars-2013-heist-thriller/
  46. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/special-26/box-office/
  47. https://www.filmfare.com/news/59th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-5138.html
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938/awards/
  49. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/180317/is-tsk-an-adaptation-of-special-26.html
  50. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/akshay-kumars-special-26-to-be-remade-in-kannada/articleshow/45042822.cms
  51. https://www.wionews.com/photos/akshay-kumar--51-films-that-made-him-an-actor-out-of-a-superstar-164606
  52. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kgf-to-special-26-films-that-inspired-off-screen-criminals/articleshow/94062466.cms
  53. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/6-arrested-for-film-inspired-heist-in-retd-doctors-home/articleshow/123004513.cms
  54. https://telanganatoday.com/akshay-kumars-special-26-inspires-real-life-heist-in-hyderabad
  55. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/11-members-of-gang-of-heisters-inspired-by-special-26-arrested-101690831548923.html
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