Actors also need to study. Like if you are given a script then you should read it. That’s all I
want to say. Whoever the actor is, they should read the script once before you come on set.
Then you will know, everything is on the script
I don’t try to play the role; I play the person so for me Himmat is more important that RAW.
RAW agent is incidental for me and that will be taken care of by the maker itself as to how RAW operates
I can create a universe anywhere. The format is not the one that supposed to answer that
question. That depends on where you want to push the story
Hi guys this is Himesh and welcome to Pinkvilla. Today we have with us the team of
Special Ops 1.5. Welcome to Pinkvilla guys, its lovely having you here.
Thank you.
Sir, first question is to Neeraj sir. Sir, 1.5 that’s actually the first time something like this is
happening in the Indian web space for the first time. Could you tell us something on the idea behind this?
We wanted to do a off shoot, a back story and we want to do a sort of mega event with that
particular story. Himmat's story was something that attracted us. We wanted to do it in a limited
number of episodes and in a certain manner which was not in line with the season concept we
have in this country for that matter anywhere and struck as a good idea that we do a 1.5
which would tell Himmat’s story and here we are.
And Kay Kay sir and Vinay sir, how did you react when you heard of this concept of 1.5 for
the first time? Were you as because when the report came out 1.5, everyone was confused.
What is 1.5 so how did you the two of you
I am personally intrigued by most of the times what he does because he comes up with some
skewed, creative stuff which is quite interesting so when I heard 1.5, first thing I did was
chuckle. This is Neeraj, this has to be Neeraj. So yeah, such interesting things often happen
with him so we end up not getting too surprised
And Vinay sir, for you?
I was not surprised at all. We are usually known for things that happens for the first time.
And sir was it difficult for you to crack a back story for Himmat Singh?
No. Not really. It comes with the job, I guess. Himmat’s a very interesting character for us
and when we were doing season 1, we didn’t reveal too much about him and that’s what the
idea was with 1.5 that here is where you get to see the man, know the man.
So you had this thought in the back of your mind even when you were shooting for season 1?
No, it was not defined at that point of time because you are still focussed on completing that
season, wait for how the audience is going to react to it and then figure out life ahead with
that particular piece of content. But not at the point of time for sure but it eventually evolves
And Kay. Kay sir and Vinay sir, how was the experience of shooting at such real locations
and you know because the scale looks specular and you
shot in the middle of this pandemic, so how was that experience to shoot?
I will tell you on thing. With Neeraj sir, wherever we shoot he makes sure his unit, all his
actors are there. Even if there are required or not. So if he has to go to Ukraine, it doesn’t
matter if I am required in Ukraine or not, he will take me and you have fun. Go on a vacation. A
shooting should have good energy. So I experienced that for the first time myself and yeah its
great I mean lot of times you end up feeling guilty like why
am I having so much fun when others are having 7 a.m. call time?
But you are still not embarrassed about it. You will still go and enjoy yourself
I used to eat one less meal. So only 3 meals a day, the fourth he used to skip
And Kay Kay sir how was the experience of shooting like? In middle of pandemic at real locations
Absolutely brilliant. Like always.
And sir you play a RAW agent so you play a cop. You know what separates web series from
a feature film is that you have to revisit the character again and again. How is it to get that
graph right always? Like there was a one-year gap between 1 and 1.5 and now to get into 2
again so how is it to get that graph again, graph right as an actor?
That’s the job of an actor, I guess. That’s his basic job. To find the person that he is playing.
So that’s not very difficult, its difficult in the sense that its very interesting, rest is part of the job
And Vinay sir for you?
Contrary to popular belief, actors also need to study. Like if you are given a script then you
should read it. That’s all I want to say. Whoever the actor is, they should read the script once
before you come on set. Then you will know; everything is on the script. I mean its not rocket
science, it’s not even brain surgery. If you know your role, you would do your homework and
I think a well written script provides that to any actor
But when you are playing a cop or a RAW agent in a series, does it bring you closer to the
world of them and do you understand the psyche of a cop or a RAW agent better when you
play that at frequent intervals, about the pressures and everything else?
I personally I don’t try to play the role; I play the person so for me Himmat is more important
than RAW. RAW agent is incidental for me and that will be taken care of by the maker itself
as to how RAW operates. For me my basic interest would be the person acting. So I play the person more
And Vinay sir?
I mean every actor would to think that yes, he is a part of that world but then reality is that we
want to be honest to what we are doing physically whatever character that they play and
again I will go back you know a well written script, a concrete screen play and dialogue is a
great source of homework, inspiration for any actor and if you are honest to that then I mean
you don’t have to think that you are a cop and cop will get up from this side of the bed and
crap from that side of the bathroom you know its all
And Neeraj sir you have used a de aging technology for Kay Kay sir’s character
For the older age, we had to really do it
Look at this, this is performance.
He just had to tap into myself for 10 minutes before this interview and look, there it is
So my question was you used the technology to, actually there have been so many instances
where it seems fake. But over here, it looks very real. So could you explain the technology,
the use of it and the challenges of that?
We tried that in season 1, the first episode where we go back to and Himmat is shown as much
younger officer at that point of time. In fact, the results we got at that point of time mastered
this direction that you see at this point right now. It was only because we had achieved that
was fair degree of satisfaction that we started thinking about you know lets put a whole story
set in that period. And that’s where it all started actually. Add to that my guilt of not using
Abbas, Vinay here potentially in season 1. That guilt was over
That was the trigger point and the tech has only improved, the technology is really improved
right now and we are in a much better place where we could go and take this huge punt on
doing lengthier form of content with the aid of this technology
And sir if I am not wrong, Special Ops is the most
successful web series in the Indian web space. In terms of
I hope you are not wrong and yeah
In terms of viewership
You are Pinkvilla, even if you are wrong, please spread it
We like to believe that it is
I think it is. So what are the pressures taking the, for all
three of you. What are the pressures of taking it forward?
You think we are looking at any sort of pressure right now
There must be some sort of
Not at all. You go out, you enjoy and I mean all three of us were behind this and there is no
point in thinking and useless way. Just go out and enjoy and deliver.
And sir you were trying to make a universe out of Baby, which was again a spy universe you
made back story to Naam Shabana and then it was put out. Is this something you know; do
you think web is a better platform to explore the back track for all the characters and get them
altogether in terms of spy universe?
I mean films, web, both the formats I can create a universe anywhere. The format is not the
one that supposed to answer that question. That depends on where you want to push the story
But was this always like, always on your bucket list to like
create something like this because you started something over there which was so
I don’t have a bucket list as of now. We are still in the process of figuring out of what works
with our audiences and which the format which gives so every story that we end up chasing is
suited for a particular format. We have tried just to be honest about it. We know that a
Special Ops season 1 or 1.5 won’t make for a film like script and that’s the reason it is suited
for this format. Similarly, there are stories that suit another format.
And Kay Kay sir and Vinay sir, yesterday I was speaking to Paresh sir and he was very happy
with the fact that OTT has taken over in such a big way because it has put an end to the
concept of stardom. Today everyone is as huge a star as anyone else due to OTT. Do you
agree that you know OTT stardom is now coming up in a big way where you know it has put
a barrier on the conventional concept of stardom?
I don’t know. I really don’t think on these terms so I have no idea, popularity perhaps yes.
Stardom I don’t know it’s a different ball game altogether
Who would ask us question about stardom?
And Neeraj sir, there is Aftaab also who has also entered the
universe of Special Ops. Could you tell us the idea behind his casting?
Well, a good actor. Fitted the bill. And that’s how he is in the series. We have got Aadil, we
have got a lot of new actors coming into this. There is Aishwarya, there is a foreign actress
called Maria in this who is exceptionally good again. It’s got a big cast that ways, a long list
of newer people that you will see and I think that this is by far been and it’s a very
performance-oriented season this one. So all of them have done us proud in that sense, I’d
like to believe that and audiences will enjoy us.
And for all three of you, what was the biggest challenge of Special Ops 1.5?
I think shooting it because pandemic and all of a sudden and we tested every day. To achieve
the scale. The one that we wanted to do with 1.5 as you see in the trailer. Pandemic
conditions exist right now in this world I mean that was challenging
And Vinay sir, for you?
Same. I think when we shot the Delhi part which we shot in Mumbai, the whole deal about
because we were shooting in adverse conditions. All of us were getting tested every other
day, it’s not easy. Its not easy. For the whole unit you know to go through that process every
other day, to ensure that safety and precaution is not
compromised. So it was tough that way but we managed to have fun even there.
And this is basically three-episode series, 45 minutes each right or?
It’s a 4 episode and we would like to understand that it’s not a Tv series or anything. Its like a
4 episode, its equivalent of a season for us because it was too much happening and yeah
And Neeraj sir you know another way which Special Ops stood out was the fact it was among
the rare web series which had a closure in the first season. There are actually people leave it
on the cliff-hanger but is that a conscious effort or your part to you know ensure that
every season that you make reaches closure and then you kick off a new season?
Absolutely. I mean I feel that as a viewer when I am watching something, after watching 8
episodes you suddenly realise that boss, this isn’t over yet. There will be another season after
this. So I personally feel that as an audience member. And hence as a story teller I know that
emotion and we have got a season where you know the story culminates, this one also
culminates as a result and obviously the larger arc
continues because the characters are still around
You are calling somebody to dinner and send them back without dessert
We will give you your Gulab Jamuns day after
But I mean that’s actually frustrating as a viewer also like
something will happen and suddenly its finished so
We are trying to address that emotion
And last few questions, what are the plans of Special Ops going forward? You have spoken
about you will be starting Special Ops 2 soon. Could you tell us something on that?
Kay Kay knows better about this. You want to answer
I was wondering like what to answer
How do you like the answer I have no idea?
If trailer is something to go by, then it’s terrific. I am sure even this one will
I am sure it will be. Because Neeraj Pandey is a trust
Thank you hopefully soon. We will wait for the reactions to come in and that’s when I think
we have not been able to find time for this actually. We have
been caught up with the post and stuff like that. Very soon hopefully.
And Kay Kay sir and Vinay sir, what next for you after Special Ops?
On the web front and films and everything
There are few things which are in the pipeline that will happen. If it happens, I shall speak about it
And Vinay sir?
Right now, this is all. Right now, Special Ops 1.5
Neeraj sir, there is lot in the slate for you which has been
announced as well. So could you tell us something?
Again, same. I mean we are on 1.5 today. Let this be out, let’s see how the audience react.
We are waiting to share this with the world. And the plan
No, not in terms of Special Ops franchise. There has been Chanakya which you have announced
Like I said we will talk about those things later. First the idea is to move ahead this
Perfect. And before signing off last words on Special Ops from all three of you?
Watch it. Its fantastic. I am telling you
Perfect. Thank you so much. It was lovely talking to you and good luck. Looking forward to
Thank you so much. Thank you