Overview
A clever heist unfolds as con artists take on the guise of government officials to expose corruption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tense
- intelligent
- grounded
- crime thriller night
- bollywood movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the intelligent real-life-inspired heist script, meticulous 1980s detail, believable performances, and gripping cat-and-mouse pursuit, while noting a weaker romantic subplot and climax.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ajay Singh and his associates pose as CBI and income tax officers while staging raids on businessmen and politicians.
Critics specifically praised the film's detailed 1980s production design and attention to period authenticity.
The con artists seize black money hoarded by famous businessmen and politicians, giving the robberies a populist moral frame.
The plot intercuts the impersonators' raids with the police investigation and pursuit led by Wasim Khan and Ranvir Singh.
Films like Special 26, and why
Catch Me If You Can
real-life-inspired heist plotting, procedural cat-and-mouse tension, and an ensemble of calculating criminals and investigators
The Sting
meticulous con-artist schemes, period detail, and suspense built around deception rather than sustained violence
A Wednesday!
Indian crime thriller atmosphere, morally ambiguous protagonists, and escalating pursuit between conspirators and law enforcement
Special 26
stylish caper mechanics, ensemble chemistry, and tension generated by elaborate deception and shifting loyalties
Movie Details
- Director
- Neeraj Pandey
- Release Date
- 2013-02-07
- Runtime
- 144 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (238)
Cast
- Akshay Kumar
- Anupam Kher
- Manoj Bajpayee
- Jimmy Shergill
- Divya Dutta
- Kajal Aggarwal
- Rajesh Sharma
- Kishore Kadam
- Ujjwal Chopra
- Deepraj Rana
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Special 26 about?
- A sharply observed Hindi crime thriller turns government impersonation into a daring 1980s heist against corrupt wealth.
- What is Special 26 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Special 26 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Special 26 violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Special 26 as mild.
- What did critics think of Special 26?
- Critics broadly praised the intelligent real-life-inspired heist script, meticulous 1980s detail, believable performances, and gripping cat-and-mouse pursuit, while noting a weaker romantic subplot and climax.
- Which films are like Special 26?
- Films with a similar feel include Catch Me If You Can, The Sting, A Wednesday!, and Special 26.
- How long is Special 26?
- Special 26 runs 144 minutes.
- Where can I watch Special 26?
- In United States, Special 26 is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube.
