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Special Ops 2 Ott Verdict (Week 2): Kay Kay Menon’s Giant Jump (Photo Credit –YouTube)

Kay Kay Menon’s web series Special Ops 2 has taken a giant leap in viewership and in two weeks the show has done the unthinkable as it becomes the fifth most-viewed web series of 2025 already! The web series by Neeraj Pandey, streaming on JioHotstar garnered a viewership of 16.7 million in two weeks!

Pushes Dabba Cartel Out Of The Top 10

As per Ormax’s half yearly data, Dabba Cartel was the 10th most-viewed web series of 2025. Streaming on Netflix, the show garnered a total of 12.8 million views in its lifetime. However with Kay Kay Menon’s show entering the list, Shabana Azmi’s multistarrer web series is out of the top 10.

Special Ops 2 Ott Verdict Week 2

Special Ops 2, in its debut week, garnered a roaring viewership of 10.5 million, taking the top spot in the list of...

Special Ops Season 2(Photo Credit –YouTube)

The latest season of Neeraj Pandey’s much-anticipated espionage thriller Special Ops finally premiered on Jio Hotstar yesterday. Kay Kay Menon returns as the razor-sharp Himmat Singh, and the show is already winning praise from both critics and audiences.

Before Special Ops 2, there were two earlier installments of the widely admired franchise – the original Special Ops (2020) and the second installment, Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story (2021). Curious to know which season ranks the highest on IMDb? We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out.

The more I watch your films, the more I fall in love with you. What an amazing actor you are. ❤️ @kaykaymenon02 #SpecialOps1.5 #HimmatSingh pic.twitter.com/6GQP4QAKIa

— Vishal Yadav (@VishalY44691113) November 12, 2021

Special Ops vs. Earlier Seasons – Who Leads On IMDb?

As of now, Special Ops 2 holds an impressive IMDb user rating of 8.8/10 (based on the current average...

Applause Entertainment’s The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination, did it much better recently. The political thriller is a tricky genre, workable when on firm ground(ref: the Rajiv Gandhi series) ineffective when serenading slippery slopes.

Not being a major fan of Season 1( which I found dry staccato, and self-important) I didn’t exactly jump into Season 2 with joy. Admittedly Season 2 is a marginal improvement on its predecessor. At least this time we are able to keep watching, if for no reason then for the breakneck at which things move: it is always fun to see the flamboyant fall.

Celerity per se is no virtue, specially when it comes to laying out a coherent blueprint for an exacerbated spy thriller where the action moves from one exotic location to another. For starters , try an AI scientist who is kidnapped in Budapest by “unknown elements” (you will get a lot of...

Special Ops 2 Gets Rave Early Reactions—Kay Kay Menon’s Comeback Strikes a Chord With Fans ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

The wait is finally over! All seven episodes of the latest season of Neeraj Pandey’s much-anticipated espionage thriller Special Ops have dropped on Jio Hotstar. Kay Kay Menon returns as the razor-sharp Himmat Singh, and early reactions on X (formerly Twitter) suggest the spy sequel lives up to the hype. Here’s a quick look at what the new season is about and what fans are saying online about Special Ops 2.

Special Ops 2 – Early Twitter Reactions

Here’s how fans are reacting to Kay Kay Menon’s return as Himmat Singh in Special Ops 2 on social media and the show in general.

After watching the opening episode, one fan praised Kay Kay Menon’s performance and the show’s storytelling.

Trending The Young & The Restless Spoilers: Cane Is Forced To...

Special Ops 2 Review: A No-Nonsense Sequel That Doesn’t Fail! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

Special Ops 2 Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Prakash Raj, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Muzammil Ibrahim, Vikas Mankatla, Karan Tacker, and others

Creator: Neeraj Pandey

Director: Shivam Nair

Streaming On: JioHotstar

Language: Hindi

Runtime: 7 episodes of 50 minutes each

What is the biggest challenge while creating a sequel to a celebrated series? Not living up to the standard of its predecessor! In Neeraj Pandey’s case, the pressure was at an all-time high after winning big time with Special Ops and Special Ops 1.5. The man arrives with a vision in Special Ops 2, and you can clearly see him expanding his version of Spy Universe, led by one hero, Himmat Singh, played by Kay Kay Menon, along with his army.

This time, Himmat Singh fights AI, an enemy that is not visible! Although the web series has a clear enemy in Tahir Raj Bhasin,...

The Ghazi Attack Is the Kay Kay Menon War Film You Need to Watch Before Special Ops 2 Premieres (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The next chapter in Neeraj Pandey’s gripping espionage thriller series, Special Ops 2, is all set to premiere on Jio Hotstar on July 18, 2025. Starring the ever-dependable Kay Kay Menon as the sharp-witted Himmat Singh, the sequel promises high-stakes action and intense drama.

Over the years, the accomplished actor has delivered powerful performances in acclaimed titles like The Railway Men, Haider, Shaurya, Gulal, and Black Friday. But a few of his standout roles have flown under the radar, and one of them definitely deserves your attention right now. We are talking about the 2017 underwater war drama The Ghazi Attack. Read on to find out what the film is all about and where you can watch it online.

The Ghazi Attack – Plot & Cast

Directed by Sankalp Reddy and inspired by real events,...

Must-Watch Kay Kay Menon Performances on Ott Before Special Ops 2 Arrives ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Special Ops 2, the next chapter in Neeraj Pandey’s gripping espionage thriller, is all set to premiere on Jio Hotstar on July 18, 2025. Starring the ever-dependable Kay Kay Menon as the sharp-witted Himmat Singh, the sequel promises high-stakes action and intense drama. While the countdown begins, there’s no better time to revisit some of Kay Kay Menon’s most powerful performances across film and series. From chilling psychological thrillers to gripping courtroom dramas, don’t miss these must-watch titles on Ott that showcase his acting prowess.

1. The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984 (2023) Director – Shiv Rawail IMDb Rating – 8.5/10 Streaming On – Netflix

Plot: The series revolves around the heroic efforts of the railway workers to save numerous lives during the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Kay Kay Menon delivers a standout performance as Iftekaar Siddiqui, the station master of the Bhopal Junction.

Before Kay Kay Menon Returns in Special Ops 2, Watch This Underrated Spy Drama From the Same Creator (Photo Credit – Hotstar)

Special Ops 2, the next installment of Neeraj Pandey’s gripping espionage thriller series starring Kay Kay Menon, is all set to premiere on Jio Hotstar. Previously scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, the upcoming season will now premiere on the streaming platform on July 18, 2025, instead.

Since the wait just got a bit longer, it’s the perfect time to check out a deftly crafted but often overlooked spy series that deserves to be on your watchlist. And like Special Ops, this show has also been created by Neeraj Pandey. We are talking about the intense and action-packed series The Freelancer, starring Mohit Raina in the lead role. Read on to find out what it’s about and where you can stream it.

The Freelancer – Plot & Cast

Directed by Bhav Dhulia, this...

Kay Kay Menon’s Special Ops 2 To Release On This New Date!(Photo Credit –YouTube)

Viewers waiting for the return of R&aw agent Himmat Singh in Special Ops Season 2 will now have to exercise a little more patience. The much-awaited spy thriller, originally slated for a July 11, 2025, launch, is now scheduled for a July 18, 2025, release.

That comes as a surprise to many, especially since the buzz around Special Ops 2 has been surging since the announcement of the new season. From exciting action sequences to nail-biting cyber warfare, this new season guarantees an exhilarating storyline with some of the industry’s finest.

Kay Kay Menon Shares Update On Special Ops 2

To calm fans, lead actor Kay Kay Menon shared a short video message on social media. He confirmed the delay and said, “To all Special Ops fans, the second season will now stream on July 18 instead of July 11. It’s just one more week.

Manoj Bajpayee is one of the finest actors of our generation. His foothold in Hindi cinema has spanned both the commercial and the independent. The most striking feature of his varied filmography is how well he consolidates the nuance in his body language even when the films he acts in are unquestionably mediocre. His voice modulation and distinctive style of delivering dialogues ensure that we remember the name of the character that he played.

Recently, he mesmerized with his astute blend of a middle-class man’s mediocrity and the dark humour of a Raw agent in The Family Man, Raj and Dk’s superb show in which he owned every frame with his masterful consistency.

Similar to Manoj Bajpayee: The 15 Irrfan Khan Movie Performances

For me, great acting comes when the actor manages to move you through his quietude and the most unnoticed of sequences. I believe that an actor...

Kay Kay Menon returns as Himmat Singh in Special Ops 2 (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The wait is finally over. Neeraj Pandey’s hit spy thriller series Special Ops is back with a brand-new season. Titled Special Ops 2, the show brings back Kay Kay Menon in his fan-favourite role as Raw officer Himmat Singh. This time, the story takes a newer turn toward the world of cyber-terrorism and artificial intelligence.

Fans had been waiting with much eagerness for the next chapter after Special Ops (2020) and its prequel Special Ops 1.5 (2021) won their hearts. This season will be bigger, bolder, and more intense.

Himmat Singh vs Cyber-Terrorism

The recently released trailer gives a clear look at what’s in store. Himmat Singh is shown working closely with his team from a war room as they face a new threat—cyber attacks that could impact the entire nation. India is at risk, and...

Special Ops 2 Trailer Review (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The trailer of the Kay Kay Menon starrer crime-thriller series Special Ops 2 was released by the makers today (June 16). Menon reprises his fan-favorite character, Himmat Singh who this time battles the many horrors of the cybercrime. Here is taking a look at our trailer review of the JioHotstar series.

Special Ops 2 Trailer Review

The Special Ops 2 trailer begins from the abduction of India’s smartest scientist (Arif Zakaria) who is seen explaining at a conference on how AI can be dangerous to the mankind. The abductors not only kidnap him but also kill some of the brilliant soldiers of the police force. It is then that the government recruits Kay Kay Menon’s Himmat Singh to crack the code.

Himmat Singh inevitably suggests a rescue ops mission which will also include his secret agents. We see a glimpse of...

10 Bollywood Sports Films ( Photo Credit – Prime Video; Facebook )

Whether you are looking for edge-of-the-seat thrills or are fond of watching feel-good stories about underdogs competing against all odds, these Bollywood sports films have something for everyone. From Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic hockey drama Chak De! India to Vineet Kumar Singh’s compelling performance in Mukkabaaz, these ten sports movies are absolute must-watches and perfect for your next weekend binge.

For this listicle, we have ranked a unique mix of popular and overlooked sports films according to their IMDb ratings. We have included only those films that are currently streaming on Ott.

10. ‘83 Release Year – 2021 Director – Kabir Khan IMDb Rating – 7.5/10 Streaming On – Jio Hotstar & Netflix

Plot: The inspiring biographical film tells the true story of how the Indian cricket team, led by captain Kapil Dev (played by Ranveer Singh), beat all odds to defeat the mighty West Indies and won the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

This Underrated Spy Thriller On Netflix Would Be Your Ideal Binge Before Special Ops 2! (Photo Credit – Netflix)

The eagerly anticipated second season of Neeraj Pandey’s espionage thriller series Special Ops is set to arrive soon on Jio Hotstar. While you wait for Special Ops 2, don’t miss this overlooked gem hiding on Netflix. It’s an underrated series that probably did not get the recognition it deserved. We are talking about Bard of Blood, which was released on Netflix in 2019 and consisted of seven episodes. In case you still haven’t watched it, read on to learn more details about and why you should give it a shot!

Bard of Blood: Plot & Cast

Based on Bilal Siddiqi’s 2015 novel of the same name, Bard of Blood features Emraan Hashmi in the role of Kabir Anand, an excommunicated Raw agent. While leading a peaceful life as a teacher,...

Special Ops 2 Teaser Review: More ‘Himmat’ & Better Mission! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

Jio Hotstar is all set for a thrilling summer season. After dropping the trailer for Pankaj Tripathi’s Criminal Justice Season 4, an exciting teaser for Special Ops 2 has been dropped. Neeraj Pandey delivered a masterclass on espionage thrillers with Baby and social thrillers with Special 26 and A Wednesday. The filmmaker is back with a high-octane ride starring Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh.

As always, the actor is offering high hopes with the second season of the show as well. There is not a single dialogue in the teaser, only fast paced glimpses but these glimpses tease well and speak volumes of the story that is about to arrive and kill with an intense story!

Kay Kay Menon‘s glimpse as Himmat Singh is so compelling that it leaves you wanting for more. He’s the anchor of another high level operation,...

Raid 2 Worldwide Box Office Collection Day 3: Ready To Cross Ajay Devgn’s 4th Lowest Grosser! ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 is close to the 70 crore mark worldwide. While it would have been great if the film could manage to enter the 100 crore club at the box office, the film, after 3 days, stands at a total collection of 65.54 crore worldwide.

Ajay Devgn’s Post-covid Performance

Post-covid, Ajay Devgn’s lowest-grossing film at the worldwide box office is Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, starring Tabu and helmed by Neeraj Pandey. Meanwhile, his highest-grossing film post-covid is Singham Again, which earned 402.26 crore at the worldwide box office.

Raid 2 Worldwide Box Office

After 3 days, Raid 2 stands at 65.54 crore gross collection with 5 crore gross overseas. The drama failed to touch the three day total of Sky Force at the worldwide box office. Akshay Kumar‘s film stood in...

Heist movies for adventure movies’ addicts! (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

The heist action thriller film, ‘Jewel Thief—The Heist Begins’, starring Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, was released on Netflix on 25th April 2025. But it failed to impress many critics and viewers. In case you are interested in watching some deftly crafted and slick heist films, then we recommend you check out these entertaining and gripping movies on Ott.

Hell or High Water (Release Year – 2016)

Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime Video

Plot: Set in West Texas, the film revolves around two brothers – a divorced father (Chris Pine) and an ex-con (played by Ben Foster). The duo plans a series of heists and targets the branches of The Texas Midland Bank, which intends to foreclose on their family ranch. But on their trail is a relentless Texas Ranger (played by Jeff Bridges), who is about to retire from his job. Will...

One of the finest and most versatile gets completely lost inside a character actors, Manoj Bajpayee, who starred in such brilliant films like Satya, Bandit Queen, Gangs of Wasseypur, Gali Guleiyan, and the series The Family Man and so many more, talks with Subhash K Jha about birthday wishes, his range of roles and myriad films, and even a hint of what’s next.

Manoj, any unfulfilled wishes?

My directors locate me in Chandni Chowk or a village near Varanasi where they’ve probably never heard of Savile Row. There was a time when Neeraj Pandey, my director of Special 26, was producing a film that was to be shot in London. I cribbed to him that when he casts me, he takes me to the gullis and bylanes of Indian cities. But when he produces a film located in London, I’m not part of it. No one shoots...

Chamak – The Conclusion Web Series Review Out: All That Glitters Is Not Chamkila! ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Chamak – The Conclusion Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Paramveer Cheema, Manoj Pahwa, Mohit Malik, Isha Talwar & Others

Creator & Director: Rohit Jugraj

Streaming On: Sony Liv

Language: Hindi

Runtime: Episodes 7 – 12, each episode of 50 minutes

Chamak, when loosely translated in English, means glitter! But if we delve deeper, then it also means a momentary flash of light. It is radiance, sparkle, flare, and everything glorious! So, does the conclusion of this web series serve as a meaning for all these synonyms of Chamak? Well, I am a little dicey and confused. But I am sure I might come to a conclusion by the time I collect all the thoughts I had while watching the second part of this web series on Sony Liv!

But before I dive into scrutinizing the second season, here is a little update on the first season,...

Shivam’s Nair reminisces about the making of the remarkable Naam Shabana (2017), written and produced by producer Neeraj Pandey that featured a brilliant performance by Taapsee Pannu.

In Naam Shabana, a lot of the gripping narrative unfolds on crowded streets. Director Shivam Nair cuts the scenes in motions of anguished urgency where we at once sense the protagonist’s need to avenge the wrongs done to her in the past and in the immediate here and now. Taapsee plays this introvert with a compelling combination of reticence and transparency.

It is a remarkable performance. But then, this is a remarkable film. The two halves of the narrative are almost like two different films, both equally irresistible. But constructed under differing circumstances.

The first half is devoted to building a relationship for the loner heroine with a boy (Taher Mithaiwala) who won’t take no for an answer and then dismantling her hope for love.

Now streaming on Netflix is Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter. Directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray Khakee: The Bengal Chapteris set in the Bengal of the early 2000s, where Gangsters and Politicians reign supreme. A decorated cop’s death paves the way for a fearless Ips, Arjun Maitra (Jeet) – an unrelenting force ready to take on the chaos and restore justice. Featuring a stellar ensemble, the series unites some of Bengali cinema’s finest talent, including Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee, and Parambrata Chatterjee bringing their powerful presence to this gripping crime saga.

Jeet talks with Subhash K Jha about being a part of this series.

Jeet is a huge name in Bengali cinema. His presence in Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is no small matter, especially as he gets to share screen space with another Bengali superstar, Prosenjit. “We had a great cast and ensemble.

Neeraj Pandey’s crime thriller series, Khakee, gets its latest regional installment with Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, which should have been named Kolkata Chapter or something like that, given the fact that, like the majority of the mainstream Bengali movie industry, it too assumes the capital city to be the sole representative of the entire state. Coming to the narrative, the political scene of West Bengal has been malicious to a more than usual degree for decades, which provided a chance for the makers to weave an intrigue of crime and corruption by drawing upon the real-life horrors people of the state had to, and still have to, go through. However, as the makers decided to play it as safe as possible, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter turned out to be a tedious, extremely generic spectacle, which doesn’t even use the setting as an integral part of the narrative. Aside...

Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, the latest addition to Neeraj Pandey’s regional crime thriller franchise, will not impress you with its story beats or narrative twists—those are pretty predictable even for viewers who aren’t fans of the genre. The highlight, at least for folks who are somewhat familiar with the Bengali movie scene, is the talent pool of the series’ ensemble cast—comprised of the who’s who of the contemporary Bengali film industry. While the characterization is quite basic for a narrative that deals with the treacherous political landscape of West Bengal, some of the performances are memorable enough to warrant the series a watch.

Barun Roy, Played By Prasenjit Chatterjee

Bengali actor Prasenjit Chatterjee is considered the megastar of the industry, having acted in numerous Bengali movies since making his debut as a child actor in 1968. Reaching the peak of his popularity with mainstream,...

Check Out Our Exclusive Interview With The Diplomat Director Shivam Nair! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The Diplomat director Shivam Nair shot to fame with the television serial Sea Hawks in the late 1990s. Like many directors who came from the small screen, including his close friends Neeraj Pandey, Sriram Raghavan, Imtiaz Ali, and Anurag Kashyap, Shivam took a while to make it to the big screen but has since made a distinct name for himself.

Ahista Ahista (2006) was his debut film, followed by the brilliant Maharathi (2008), produced by Paresh Rawal and based on a Gujarati play. The film did not perform well, primarily because it was released in the 26/11 week, and it took Shivam seven years to make his next, Bhaag Johnny, his first for T-Series.

Shivam Nair’s old friend, Neeraj, then called him to direct his spin on Baby, the 2017 Naam Shabana, after which they co-directed Special Ops, among...

In the second episode of “Khakee: The Bengal Chapter” (2025), a pivotal scene between the General Secretary of the Ruling Party and resident puppet master, Borun Roy (Prosenjit Chatterjee), and the newly inducted head of the Special Investigative Task Force, Arjun Maitra (Jeet), sees Roy explaining the system as a symphony, with each section contributing to the evocation or efficient running of said symphony/system.

I suppose that could be the baseline driving the creative direction of Neeraj Pandey as he shepherds a spin-off/second season of his popular 2022 series—”Khakee: The Bihar Chapter.” Like its progenitor, this “chapter” is also researched and based on true events, but it constructs an original story around those events. Writers Debatma Mandal and Samrat Chakraborty, along with Pandey, set the story majorly in 2002, with key moments flashed back to 1991 and one specific origin story to 1988.

In this iteration of Kolkata, the ruling party has...

Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter would have been the perfect crime thriller were it not for a couple of incongruous performance which impede the other-wise pitch-perfect crime thriller, arguably the best we have seen in ages. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter boasts of razor-sharp writing and unexpected twists and turns all through.

A coiling-recoiling raga of rage plays itself out in the combustive length and breadth of the lengthy parable on crime and violence in the ‘City Of Bhoy (fear)’, as a character describes the crime situation in Kolkata.

The series kickstarts in a stunning swirl of bloodshed and deceit when an honest cop, Saptarishi (Parambrata Chatterjee), is slayed by the goons of a gangster, Bagha (played by tonally attuned Saswat Chatterjee). The ensuing bedlam in the City keeps up the cops all night, as we, too, sleepless until the lengthy but never dull episodes are done.

Embracing the...

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: Neeraj Pandey’s Cop Universe Is Raw & Real (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Chitrangada Singh, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Parambrata Chatterjee & others

Creator: Neeraj Pandey

Director: Debatma Mandal & Tushar Kanti Ray

Streaming On: Netflix

Language: Bengali & Hindi

Runtime: 7 episodes of 50 minutes each

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: Saswata Chatterjee Is Impactful In This Raw & Gritty Drama! (Photo Credit – Instagram) Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: What’s It About:

“Agar har corrupt politician ko sazaa milne lag jaaye to jail ke baaki qaidiyon ke liye jagah nahi bachegi, so I am going with the lesser evil here,” tells Ips Arjun Maitra, posted in Kolkata, to politician Nibedita Basak, an opposition leader in West Bengal. This is probably the strongest line in the entire 7-hour-long web series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, summarizing the root cause of the...

Neeraj Pandey’s fame perplexes me. After making A Wednesday, Special 26, and Baby, the man has repeatedly failed as a writer, director, and producer to deliver anything that’s barely watchable. Audiences took their merry time to realize that, but after the one-two punch of Auron Mein Dum Kahan Dum Tha and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, they were compelled to collectively say that enough is enough. The same can’t be said about his stint on the small screen, where, with every new entry, his storytelling keeps getting more and more jingoistic and boring, and people seem to like it all the same. That’s fine; everyone’s sense of taste is different. However, he has made things personal by bringing his brand of bland to West Bengal. He had the audacity to adapt Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club in the form of The Royal Bengal Tiger. Then he produced Chengiz,...

Acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta and producer Sahil Saigal are set to bring the Hindi-language adaptation of Ilango Ram’s “Tentigo” (originally titled “Nelum Kuluna”), the critically acclaimed Sri Lankan comedy, to Indian audiences through their banner True Story Films.

“Tentigo” opened in Sri Lankan theaters on March 14. The film’s Tamil-language adaptation, “Perusu,” also directed by Ram, opened in India on March 14.

The Hindi-language adaptation marks celebrated casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s debut as a producer, with “Tentigo” producer Hiranya Perera attached as associate producer.

True Story Films is joining forces with indie powerhouse Crawling Angel Films, with Sanjay Gulati and Neeraj Pandey co-producing the Hindi version.

Three-time Filmfare winner Karan Vyas, known for his work on “Scam 1992,” “Scam 2003,” “Scoop,” and “Saas Bahu aur Flamingo,” will adapt the comedy into Hindi, promising what producers call “a fresh madcap take on the original.”

“Tentigo” first gained international recognition after...

Ott Weekend Watchlist for every binge-watcher! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

This weekend, Netflix tops the charts with five titles, including a Mollywood murder investigation thriller, a Kollywood coming-of-age superhit, a Hollywood heist film, and more. Meanwhile, Prime Video features three major releases, including a patriotic drama, a Gen Z relationship rom-com, and a murder mystery.

Scroll down for the full list of films and their availability.

Netflix

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (English)

Release Date: Thursday, March 20

This film is a sequel to Den of Thieves (2018), with both the original and sequel directed by Christian Gudegast. Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. reprise their roles, and the plot is inspired by the real-life Antwerp diamond heist of 2003.

Trending Rekhachithram Ott Release Update: When & Where Can You Watch The Telugu Thriller Online?

Top 5 Highly-Anticipated Upcoming Tamil Movies: From Test To Bison

Dragon (Tamil)

Release Date: Friday, March 21

Dragon follows a brilliant young...

Does Tamannaah Bhatia want to play Sridevi?(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Tamannaah Bhatia has time and again, referred to Sridevi as a “super iconic” name and told the world how she is impressed with the legendary actress, whose work in Indian cinema cannot be replicated.

Tamannaah’s admiration for Sridevi

During a function organized during the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, Tamannaah was questioned if she would want to portray a legendary actress on screen.

Without hesitation, she named Sridevi and stated, “It would be Sridevi, ma’am. I think she was super iconic, and she’s somebody I always admired.”

Sridevi was a trendsetter among Indian cinema, defying stereotypes and excelling in every genre from comedy and drama to action and romance.

Trending Is Prabhas’ The Raja Saab Releasing Soon? Latest Rumors & Speculation Explored

Did Chiranjeevi Have A Hollywood Dream Which Was Left Unfulfilled?

Often known as the “first female superstar” of Indian cinema,...

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is an upcoming Indian crime thriller series created by Neeraj Pandey, set to premiere on Netflix on March 20, 2025. Serving as a standalone sequel to Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, this series delves into the intricate world of Bengal’s crime and politics.

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Cast & Characters:

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Jeet as Dcp Arjun Maitra Prosenjit Chatterjee as Barun Roy, a politician Chitrangada Singh as the Leader of Opposition Ritwik Bhowmik as Sagor Aadil Zafar Khan as Ranjit Parambrata Chatterjee as Dcp Saswata Chatterjee as Shankar Barua a.k.a. Bagha Mahaakshay Chakraborty Pooja Chopra Aakanksha Singh as Aratrika Subhasish Mukherjee as the Chief Minister of West Bengal Shraddha Das Joy Sengupta Shruti Das What the Show is About?

Set in early 2000s Bengal, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter follows Ips officer Arjun Maitra as he confronts...

Netflix’s Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a crime thriller that brings the raw, intense world of Bihar’s criminal landscape to the screen. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the series follows a high-stakes chase between law enforcement and a ruthless gangster, offering a deep dive into corruption, power struggles, and justice. The show, released in November 2022, gained popularity for its powerful performances and realistic portrayal of crime-infested Bihar.

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter Cast & Characters: Karan Tacker as Ips Amit Lodha Avinash Tiwary as Chandan Mahto Abhimanyu Singh as Sho Ranjan Kumar Ravi Kishan as Abhyuday Singh Ashutosh Rana as Mukteshwar Chaubey Jatin Sarna as Dilip Sahu Nikita Dutta as Tanu Lodha Aishwarya Sushmita as Meeta Devi Shraddha Das as Saumya Mukherjee Khakee: The Bihar Chapter Plot Overview:

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter follows the cat-and-mouse chase between Ips officer Amit Lodha and a feared gangster, Chandan Mahto, set in the...

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter had it’s epic trailer unveiled at a spectacular launch event in the vibrant city of Kolkata today. This latest installment in the acclaimed Khakee franchise is a layered story of politics, inter-gang rivalry and the police system. Premiering on March 20, only on Netflix, it promises to captivate viewers with its explosive blend of relentless action, intricate drama, and unexpected twists. Produced by Friday Storytellers, the series is spearheaded by the visionary creator Neeraj Pandey, with directors Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray’s unique storytelling prowess.

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is poised to redefine cop dramas, drawing viewers into a world where a brave police officer defends a fragile justice system against those in power. In the early 2000s, when gangsters and politicians commanded unchallenged authority, Ips Arjun Maitra emerged as a catalyst for change. Fearless and unwavering, this upright officer was determined to carve...

Netflix India unveiled the anticipated trailer for “Khakee: The Bengal Chapter” at a star-studded event in Kolkata on Wednesday, ahead of its March 20 premiere.

Produced by Friday Storytellers and created by industry veteran Neeraj Pandey, the crime drama is co-directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray. Following the success of “Khakee: The Bihar Chapter,” which unraveled the murky nexus of power, politics, and police in India’s hinterlands, Netflix is set to explore new stories under the same banner.

The new series, set against the backdrop of early 2000s West Bengal, centers on Indian Police Service (Ips) cop Arjun Maitra, a principled officer who emerges as a catalyst for change during a period when gangsters and politicians wielded unchallenged authority. His determination to forge a path toward justice within a treacherous landscape of political machinations and gang warfare forms the narrative backbone of the show.

“Khakee: The Bengal Chapter...

Subhash K Jha revisits Neeraj Pandey’s political drama Aiyaary as it clocks seven years on February 16th.

Neeraj Pandey is no Costa-Gavras. But for our hard-earned bucks, this filmmaker delivers a forceful message on subterfuge in the defence hierarchy better than any Indian filmmaker. One day, I hope to see him do a film on Bofors and then the Rafel deal to complete his defence trilogy.

At first, Aiyaary seems less seamless than it actually is. Where is all this leading to? You wonder at the outset, as writer-director Neeraj Pandey sets up what eventually turns out to be pieces of a jigsaw that fits perfectly into the mindboggling zigzag of India’s political conditioning in contemporary times.

It is very hard to point out plot points in Aiyaary that stand out to build the compelling construct on corruption in military forces. It seems miraculous that Siddharth Malhotra, playing an army renegade,...

the brilliant Manoj Bajpayee talks about Neeraj Pandey’s Special Chabbis in this special interview.

Manoj, Special Chabbis hold a very special place in your career?

There is a very interesting story behind Special Chabbis and my association with Neeraj Pandey. I watched his film A Wednesday. During those times, I was not getting the kind of work I was looking for. I was mostly calling directors, showing interest in working with them, or asking for good work from them. Some of those directors who were really coming up, one of them was Neeraj Pandey, and I was quite mesmerized in the manner Wednesday was written and, performed and crafted.

So you approached Neeraj?

I called him up, and I said, you know, what a great film you made, and please think of me in a role if you’re writing something new because I’m looking for good work.

Turning the focus on Neeraj Pandey’s special Special Chabbis (26), which starred Akshay Kumar and Manoj Bajpayee, as it marks 12 years since the action drama garned rave reviews.

Though set in a world where lakhs were a large fortune, Neeraj Pandey gives us a caper-thriller worth crores. The period detailing of the 1980s—the cars, hotel lobbies, clothes, hairstyles, and most importantly, the attitude to wealth acquisition—all add a lustre of underscored believability to the proceedings.

Morality is a prime casualty in the parable. And if crime should not be allowed to pay in our movies, then this one doesn’t qualify for a pat on the back from the moralists and purists as the con persons walk away from the scene of their outrageous crime richer and, yes, no wiser. They are coming back.

There are two sets of Cbi officers on duty in this deviously plotted tale...

Sky Force Box Office Collection Day 4 Early Estimates! ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya starrer Sky Force has witnessed a big drop on Monday. After a blockbuster weekend, all eyes were on whether the action drama will be able to maintain its strong momentum. Scroll below for the early trends of day 4.

Holds well on Monday

As per the latest box office update flowing in, Sky Force has earned box office collections in the range of 7-7.5 crores on day 4. It was a regular working day, so a routine dip was expected. But the action drama fell around 54-49% compared to opening day figures of 15.30 crores.

This is indeed a bigger drop than expected, as it would have been ideal for the Republic Day release to at least clock the double-digit figures. However, the heavily discounted tickets highly favored the footfalls on the opening day. But that is not the case here.

Vanvaas Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Nana Patekar, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Ashwini Kalsekar

Director: Anil Sharma

Vanvaas Movie Review (Photo Credit – Instagram)

What’s Good: The solid message is getting increasingly relevant in today’s times.

What’s Bad: The length of the film

Loo Break: Luckily not, despite the long length

Watch or Not?: A film that is valid probably for viewers of all ages

Language: Hindi

Available On: Theatrical release

Runtime: 160 Minutes

User Rating:

The story of Vanvaas moves between Shimla and Benares. Three sons of varied ages, all married and with kids, are aghast when their widowed father, Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar), decides to turn his bungalow into a trust and name it after his late wife Vimla (Khushboo) in honor of her countless loving memories.

But his sons would rather make money than memories now since Deepak has dementia and forgets things. The three couples take him to Benares,...

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict: Misses To Enter Top 5! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Jimmy Sheirgill on Netflix arrived with an interesting heist film directed by Neeraj Pandey, and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar film has raised the number game on Netflix, changing the top 10 charts in a jiffy. In three weeks, the film has garnered a total of 9.5 million views.

The thriller film, with its suspense, has managed to gain numbers on Netflix as an original. In fact, in three weeks, it has managed to enter the top 10 but has missed the top 5 most viewed Hindi original Netflix films by almost 5.9% fewer views in total.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict

In the third week Sikandar Ka Muqaddar witnessed a huge drop in viewership but managed to take the total views to 9.5 million. While it hit the 4th spot in the global ranking of Netflix for that week’s trending non-English films,...

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict: Will It Enter Top 5? (Photo Credit – Facebook)

This week on Netflix witnessed surprising stats since 4 Indian films made their mark in the list of top 10 trending films on Netflix in the non-English category. These four films were Lucky Baskhar and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, which arrived last week, along with Jigra and Amaran, which arrived this week.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict

As per Netflix’s data from December 2 – December 8, the heist thriller by Neeraj Pandey has garnered a jump of 43.75% in its viewership, bringing 4.3 million views in week 2 against 10.9 million viewing hours. The film secured third place on Netflix’s list of top 10 trending non-English films globally.

Here is the two-week viewership breakdown of the film on Netflix, along with its global rank.

Week 1: 3.2 million | Rank 4 Week 2: 4.3 million | Rank 3 Trending Jigra Ott Verdict: Alia Bhatt Is Only 3.4 Million Views Away To Enter Top...

Pushpa 2 Is #1 Indian Film On IMDb’s Global List Of Most Popular Movies! (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Allu Arjun with Pushpa 2 has put the Indian Cinema on the world charts on a huge level. In fact, the film, in five days of release, is ruling the charts on IMDb as the actor becomes the only Indian actor currently to rule the global charts in the top 10 most popular movies on IMDb!

Pushpa 2: Most Popular Indian Movie

In the list of top 100 movies ranked on IMDb globally, Pushpa 2 has secured the 7th rank and is the top Indian film in the list, which is globally ruled by Wicked, an American fantasy film.

There are only three Indian films that have found a spot on the global list of Most Popular movies. While Allu Arjun’s recently released biggie has claimed the 7th spot, the other spot is...

In this special candid conversation actor Jimmy Shergill spoke to Subhash K Jha about his 30-year career, and so much more!

The super-talented Jimmy Shergill has no regrets about doing any of his films, the good back or ugly. “I might have regretted at that point of time because you feel that you did a film at the cost of doing something else you could have chosen something else because certain kind of promises were made to you. But when you start shooting they were not up to the mark. But I feel today when I look back I think every project every scene every film every song is taught you something and no matter how bad the endproduct, it has taught you something and probably made you what you are today and I think I take full responsibility for anything wrong I might have done earlier on in my career.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict: Enters Top 5 Hindi Originals’ Debut (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Netflix, this week, delivered a good suspense thriller to enjoy with Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar starring Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film got a good response and was an intriguing thriller to watch. As a result, it has secured itself a good spot in the top 10 charts on Netflix!

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Ott Verdict

As per Netflix’s data from November 25 to December 1, the heist thriller drama that arrived on November 29, 2024, garnered a viewership of 3.2 million against 7.6 million viewing hours. It occupied the fourth spot in Netflix’s global trending list this week.

Matches Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan Debut

When compared with Hindi films that arrived on Netflix this year, Neeraj Pandey’s film matches Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan, which also garnered 3.2 million views on Netflix in its debut week. However, it...

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is the Netflix Original film that was released over the weekend. This Hindi-language film directed by Neeraj Pandey explores the lives of three people who are accused of stealing precious stones worth more than fifty crores from a diamond exhibition. Their lives post the accusation, followed by the investigation and trial, is what the film is about. Sikandar Ka Muqaddar also features a police officer who is hell-bent on proving his instincts right. All of these people make for the lead characters that add drama and tension to the film.

Sikandar Sharma

Ace actor Avinash Tiwari portrays the role of Sikandar Sharma, a computer technician who happened to be at the venue when the robbery was about to take place. To his shock, his proximity to the red solitaire diamonds makes him a prime suspect. This completely throws him off as he keeps saying that he is innocent.

Heist movies are a fun watch if they are written and put together cleverly. There cannot be any scope for plot holes or a loophole when it comes to this genre. This is the reason the Ocean’s series of films are still considered cult classics. These Steven Soderbergh films intelligently blend drama and class in their narratives, making them some of the most revered films of the 2000s. Sadly, Hindi cinema has not been able to make any engaging films in this genre. Sikandar ka Muqaddar, the brand new Netflix Original directed by Neeraj Pandey focuses more on finding the mastermind than the heist itself.

Spoilers Ahead

What happened at the diamond exhibition?

Sikandar ka Muqaddar began in the city of Mumbai in the mid-2000s, where Kamini Singh, along with her boss, Mangesh Desai, were setting up their company’s kiosk for their diamond exhibition. Sikandar Sharma was...

Here’s how Avinash Tiwary hit Amitabh Bachchan ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Avinash Tiwary is an Indian actor who debuted in 2009 with Suno Na… Ek Nanhi Aawaz. However, after years of struggle in the film industry, his career gained momentum following his role as Kais/Majnu in Laila Majnu (2017).

In a recent interview, Avinash recalled an awkward yet unforgettable encounter with Amitabh Bachchan during the 2014 filming of the TV series Yudh. Scroll down to learn more about the incident.

The Embarrassing Mishap

In a recent interview with the second edition of Screen Live, Avinash revealed, “The first time we met, we had to do an action sequence. I have that poi; I have never done an action sequence. In the scene, he had to punch me, and I had to duck and give him back. Fortunately, I only hit him on his head,d but the embarrassment I felt at that time,...

“Sikandar ka Muqaddar” is an Indian movie directed by Neeraj Pandey, and starring Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Shergill, and Tamanna Bhatia.

“Sikandar ka Muqaddar” is a 2024 Indian thriller directed by Neeraj Pandey, known for his expertise in crafting gripping narratives. The film is a crime drama that delves into the intense pursuit of justice following an unsolved diamond heist.

The plot centers around a determined cop whose relentless chase of a key suspect turns into an obsession.

The cast features notable actors such as Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Shergill, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Divya Dutta. Avinash Tiwary plays the role of Sikandar Sharma, while Jimmy Shergill portrays Jaswinder Singh. Tamannaah Bhatia and Divya Dutta add significant depth to the narrative with their performances.

Produced by Friday Filmworks and distributed by Netflix India, “Sikandar Ka Muqaddar” is expected to reach a wide audience through the streaming platform. The film’s cinematography by Arvind Singh...

Nobody can be trusted in writer-director Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, streaming from 29 November on Netflix. Not even Neeraj Pandey, who keeps dropping one surprise revelation after another, until there comes a point when the viewer puffs and huffs and implores, “Yaar, bass bhi karo! Aur Kitna?”

At a running time of over 160 minutes Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has no dull moments, trust me on that. Every likely , and unlikely, twist tumbles out in an eager torrent. Yes, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is that wedding where the father of the bride is determined to entertain the baraati till the very end.

The eagerness to stay a step ahead of the audience does prove to be a damper eventually. But not before we are absorbed in this police procedural with the cop and the suspects proving to be formidable adversaries .

The ever-dependable Jimmy Shergill plays the hard-nosed cop Jaswinder Singh with a...