Special Chabbis
wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)
Special Chabbis is an unfair joke on the audience. If it were not for some witty dialogue delivered with great timing, Special Chabbis would've been a very frustrating experience.
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Special Chabbis - Preview
I doubt there's anyone who has seen director, Neeraj Pandey's A Wednesday who won't want give Special Chabbis a chance. Despite Akshay Kumar. And of course, Akshay Kumar fans who haven't seen A Wednesday don't need any more credentials to watch Special Chabbis. Well played, I say.
Even if it is a pity that star power is considered essential even by indie filmmakers. The hope now is that Akshay Kumar gets to show that he can actually act when given the opportunity. Unless the Akshay Kumar drama overshadows a fine story that Neeraj Pandey might have at hand.
Also, somehow I can't shake out the Ocean's Eleven feel I get from the title to the trailer, which can take Special Chabbis either way. If it can carry of the glamour and oomph of Ocean's Eleven without letting go of the basic strong story telling and narrative that A Wednesday had, it would be perfect. An extremely difficult balance to strike.
But, like a reader points out in the comments section, if Special Chabbis is even a fraction as engaging as A Wednesday we have a good movie to look forward to. Personally, the Akshay Kumar factor makes it very easy for me to walk in without too many high expectations.
Music Reviews:
Apun Ka Choice - "3/5"
Bollyspice - "3/5"
Bollywood Hungama - "3/5"
koimoi - "3/5"
Milliblog - "The show-stopper is of course Kaun mera; the soft, pensive tune is a delight to hear in 3 voices – Papon, Chaitra and Sunidhi. Special Kreem!"
Music Aloud - "7.5/10"
- meeta, a part of the audience
When Special Chabbis ends, you go through the entire film in your mind (you are helped by some repeated scenes in the end) and you realize that some of the scenes were in the film, only to put you off track from cracking the mystery. Why else would people who know each other talk like strangers when they are by themselves in the story?
Till then, you are holding on through Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and some of the others moving in slo-mo just because this is made by the guy who made A Wednesday - this HAS to lead to something good. In fact, the entire film feels like it is moving in slow motion, even when the camera is doing its job at regular speed. And yet you are giving it leeway. Good thing that smart one-liners delivered with some really good timing keep you interested in the film.
That doesn't mean that the performances are top-notch. Except for Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpayee, the rest are just plain. I cannot deny that it's a relief to see Akshay Kumar in a role where he isn't at his "comic" antics.
Kajal Aggarwal is here only so that the fairer gender have some representation. Divya Dutt is given just the one line to repeat whenever it is predictably appropriate and the third woman is around just so she can be told by her husband to wear a dupatta! The way the camera moves along the women's curves makes this film as respectful of women as any other film with an item number for X-factor.
These are the things you don't expect after watching A Wednesday. Yes, with that one Neeraj Pandey had set up competition for himself with himself.
I enjoyed the set-up. The film gives its audience the time to figure things out for themselves. Especially the 'who's who and doing what' bit isn't aided by people talking to each other as if they are meeting for the first time, or a voice-over trying to help us out.
However, that becomes a bit of a drab later, as you feel you are continuously in an exposition mode. In fact, given the end, the entire film feels just like an introduction to a sequel, if not a series of films.
It is sad then, to see out-of-place stylization and the lackluster conclusion. Also, when lead players in the film are not going to be nice people, you need a good amount of background about them, to be able to root for them. None of the lead characters, except Mr. Sharma (Anupam Kher) to a certain extent, get you invested in them. Nothing to keep you hooked through out.
Sure, there is the sentiment of hurting the corrupt of our nation, of giving them what they deserve. But, it seemed half-baked and felt like it was a comment in the passing. Another side note is that no one in our country's administration and law enforcement believes in something as basic as checking credentials. Are we such a trusting nation?
Yet, if you can forgive the writer in Neeraj Pandey for going out of his way to fool you into believing something, there are a couple of twists that do make you smile because of the way the characters seem to be outsmarting each other. But, along with that you have a lame love story, a few quirks that exist just for the sake of being quirky, and con-jobbers who are written more to con you than each other.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Anna Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...When a nearly two-and-a-half-hour film feels like it’s short, you know it’s special. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha (IANS), Apun Ka Choice : ...One of them played with compelling gusto by Kishore Kadam washes his wife's clothes at home when he is not away carrying out fake CBI raids with his comrades.... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...a film like SPECIAL 26 teaches you that you can attempt a thriller without resorting to the above-mentioned components, yet make a slick period thriller that's thoroughly engaging and charming.... full review
Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, Daily Bhaskar : ...There is no doubt this movie is based on a true story. It’s too crafty for a screenwriter’s invention. So are the folks before us on the screen.... full review
Thumbs up, by Nikhil Arora, Desi Martini : ...This is one movie Akshay Kumar should be proud of being a part of. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Smita, Desi Martini : ...Jimmy Shergill and Manoj Bajpai as the cops are also cool, specially Manoj Bajpai whose intense eyes I would be scared to look into if I was a criminal... full review
Thumbs up, by Kshitij, Desi Martini : ...Riveting & entertaining, with some great performances, this one is a winner all the way!... full review
Thumbs up, by Rony D'Costa, Desi Martini : ... a lot of time is wasted in establishing characters, small time con jobs and a forced and not needed love track between Akshay Kumar and Kajal Agarwal... full review
Thumbs up, by Malavika Velayanikal, DNA : ...The cockiness of Wasim Khan contrasts perfectly with the wobbliness of Sharmaji. In that, we must say Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee and Jimmy Sheirgill score above Akshay Kumar.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...But the story’s shortcomings really don’t matter because by the time the end arrives performances from Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee and Anupam Kher have charmed the pants off everyone. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Nupur Barua, fullhyd.com : ...Then, there are the unnecessary shots of the fraud team walking in slow motion from one place to another. All these irrelevant elements make the movie drag a bit. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, Gomolo.in : ...Akshay Kumar is superb in this film. Check him in all the raid scenes where he slips down totally inside the skin of the character... full review
Thumbs up, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...In places, the film gets trapped by Akshay’s superstar status — he’s the best-dressed and most heroic in the conventional sense — but mostly the ensemble cast plays seamlessly together.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...'Special Chabbis' works on account of its meaty, realistic plot and nicely fleshed out characters. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Swati Deogire, In.com : ...You won't feel entirely cheated after watching this con-mercial film.... full review
Thumbs up, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ...Special 26 is a thriller that reveals a young filmmaking brain at his creative best.... full review
Thumbs up, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...There's something greatly impudent about smart thieves impersonating a crack CBI team and making off with valuables from the homes of the rich and the corrupt... full review
Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...the love song and more particularly an item number were absolutely avoidable in this sagacious cinema.... full review
Thumbs up, by Joginder Tuteja, Indicine : ...Right from the opening sequences where a raid is conducted at the house of a politician to a similar, but highly effective sequence that follows in Kolkata, you know that director Neeraj Pandey is playing his game well... full review
Thumbs up, by Janhavi Samant, MiD DAY : ...Much of the film’s success can be credited to an absorbing and audacious plot and its gentle sarcasm and quiet humour.... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...The film has a few aberrations. However, it remains what it was meant to be – Special!... full review
Thumbs up, by Aakash Barvalia, MoviezADDA : ...It has every interesting element which will just blow your mind, right from the first frame till the last frame. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...The writing is taut for most part with little asides of humor thrown in. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Saibal Chaterjee, NDTV : ...Without spelling it out in so many words, the film poses the question: a quarter century on, has anything really changed? ... full review
Thumbs up, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...Jimmy Sheirgill is impressive and so are Rajesh Sharma and Kishore Kadam. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Kaushik Ramesh, Planet Bollywood : ...The unfolding of each scene brings with it certain unforeseeable surprises, course changing and effective. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Detailed production design is one of the finest attributes of this con caper -- old currency notes, dial phones, cordless phones, hard-shell luggage, well-researched advertising placements (featuring almost forgotten beverages like Thrill) or discontinued magazines in their revived glory (Dharmyug, Illustrated Weekly of India).... full review
Thumbs up, by Roshmila Bhattacharya, Star Blockbuster : ...The ’80s ambience is perfectly recreated. One is not out of place, whether in a sarson da khet in Punjab, a galli in Kolkata’s burra bazaar or overlooking Mumbai’s Queen’s necklace.... full review
Thumbs up, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ... The pace of the film is quite slow and ends up tiring the audience. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Sudhish Kamath, The Hindu : ...A fairly compelling, charming and stylish heist film that slows down only because of the songs thrust into the narrative... full review
Thumbs up, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ...With an ingeniously layered role and a brilliant act, Anupam Kher truly 'steals' the show. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Resham Sengar, Zee News : ...The movie is peppered with jokes and there are sarcastic takes on the political scenario as well as the plight of the underpaid, powerless and underutilized government officials... full review
So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...visually too it’s a great work done by the team lead by the talented Neeraj Pandey which needs to be watched keeping in mind the obvious points (like there were no communication sources at that time other than the fixed line government allotted telephones in our homes).... full review
So-So, by Shalu Dhyani, Bolly Spice : ...The costumes and styling too is mostly authentic.... full review
So-So, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ...Great production design, with just a couple of slip ups.... full review
So-So, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...In Special 26 the heists themselves are thrilling and the biting comment on contemporary morality very appealing, although once again, the screenplay doesn’t care to elaborate on the gang’s modus operandi. ... full review
So-So, by Trisha Gupta, FirstPost : ...The film recreates the universe of late ‘80s India both visually and in spirit... full review
So-So, by Rubina A Khan, FirstPost : ...There are some funny lines, despite the seriousness of it all, like “I want to do my country” and some terrible English faux pas’, which make for some light moments in the film.... full review
So-So, Free Press Journal : ...The film’s cut-to-cut events keep the interest going and the focus on the quartet is magnified to such an extent that everything else is forgotten – even rational thought... full review
So-So, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...I guess, a little cinematic liberty for a movie of this brilliance is pardonable. ... full review
So-So, by Fatema H Kagalwala, India Entertainment : ...Special 26 is far from a satisfying thriller but is a consistently engaging. It just isn’t as smart as it wished to be.... full review
So-So, by Roshni Devi, koimoi : ...Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta are really good as Ranvir Singh and Shantiji but Divya barely get 3-4 lines in the movie... full review
So-So, by Diksha Madhok, Reuters : ...The show stealer is Manoj Bajpayee who plays the CBI officer chasing the impersonators... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Deccan Chronicle : ...Those ancient split-screens are back, and the background music appears to belong to the vintage Jeetendra thrillers, loud and unsparing... full review
Thumbs down, by Sanjukta Sharma, Live Mint : ...Without these stock trappings of the most blatantly crowd-pleasing Bollywood potboiler, Pandey’s film would have been leaner, focused on building the suspense of the story. ... full review
Zapjack: Special 26 ! Wow ! What a movie ! A GREAT MOVIE released after such a long time ! @AnupamPkher asli power aapki acting mein hai ! :D
whiz_dom: Special Chabbis: Respect! Neeraj Pandey should sweep the best direction award seamlessly, I say
weemundo: Saw "Special Chabbis" today. So good. Go watch.
waseem_uk: Final Ratings Special Chabbis : ★★★★ 1/2 ABCD - Any Body Can Dance : ★★ 1/2
vmvmat: #special26 is a #must watch #movie...... #Viswaroopam too..
vishald65978117: Special 26 wonderful movie
VirajKR: #Special26 is one of the best Bollywood movies I've seen so far. Very rarely would you come come across a logically scripted drama thriler.
Vinodkumawat: Good to see new age directors like Neeraj Pandey, surprising viewers with another extra ordinary muv. #special chabbis
VikrantSinghvi: Special Chabbis! Three and Half Stars! Manoj Bajpai was too natural!
VijayBhabal: Special chhabis is excellent film. Great acting direction and script. Its must watch for all.
vdnot: #Special26 is exactly what I thought it would be. #AkshayKumar surprises everyone and Neeraj Pandey does not disappoint. Don't miss it!
VarshanSookhun: Special Chabbis - A significant con film made with impeccable details #BollywodBillboard #LotusFM 7/10
vaiby27: Special Chabbis ... Stupendous !!!
vaibs222: #Special26 was indeed special!! Kudos to the team of the movie!!
unusualrant: Whattay!!!I rated Special Chabbis 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2377938 #IMDb
UnrealTarunR: Special Chabbis. Now That's A Great Movie. #AkshayKumar Wow.
Twitvention: Watched Special 26 last night - very nicely done - loved your @anupampkher scene with Manoj Bajpayee towards the end!
tweetprayer2283: Special 26...amazing movie..must watch....
tritondsouza: Liked Special 26, good performances by Akshay, Manoj and Anupam...
travelmatemona: "@VarshanSookhun: Special Chabbis - A significant con film made with impeccable details #BollywodBillboard #LotusFM 7/10" nope for me 8/10:)
TheDasAnita: #SPECIAL26 was mind blowing! Finally feel like 2013 can have great movies. @AnupamPkher sir, fab as always in every role! :D
The_Moron: Special chabbis. Kick-ass!
thatdarkcoffee: Watched Special 26 last night. Such neat film-making.
sunderks: A smart movie after a while #Special26 - well acted and enjoyably witty with no slapstick. Asali power dil mein hoti hai!
ssnehabhi: Special 26, awsum movie, fab role by aki.
sri50: Special Chabbis - The way plot unfolds, characterisation, suspense & unexpected twist is what makes it racy & entertaining. Don't miss it.
Shashanksye: Special Chabbis is Outstanding.....Dont miss it....Its Worth ur time.....
sharadkrg: #Special26 proved yet again dat content is king engaging & intelligent film got 2 give it 2d filmmaker 4 brilliantly showcasing d 80’s #hit
Shanu_Babu: Dont miss 'Special Chabbis'.Awsome movie.
shaishavpidadi: I saw #Special26 What a movie! it is great entertainer. Good work by @akshaykumar @AnupamPkher & @BajpayeeManoj
ShabnamAlis786: Special Chhabbis .......AWESOME movie Hats of to all artists
sayanroy: Saw Special Chabbis . Really well made light thriller. Well done Mr Pandey.
sanjanind: Special Chabbis has awesome story, perfect movie ....full of Drama,Suspense,Thrills and Chills and Oh! ..... how... http://www.facebook.com/sanjanind/posts/604005759614597
SamritiGrover: It seems when there is a male co star opposite #AkshayKumar his movies turn out to be brilliant!! Akki take a hint from OMG & now Special 26
SagarBattra: Special 26 a must watch..!!
s_shunt: Special Chabbis .. A must watch movie...
ronakbohara: #Special26 is one of the best Heist drama to come out from Bollywood. Then A wednesday & now special26. Bravo #NeerajPandey
Rocky_inDelhi: Special Chabbis awesome movie! maja a gaya :-)) Akshay Kumar awesm Anupam Kher awesm Jimmy Shergill awesm!!
RJV4U: Special Chabbis is an Amazing Movie...Loved it...Must Watch...Akshay & Anupam Kher rocked the show
ritzdotcom: Two movies over two days. My clear favourite was undoubtedly #Special26. But being a dancer myself, #ABCD was also spectacular !
RaviSingh7: #Special26 is Indian Ocean's Eleven ... nicely made and executed
Rathore_Sahab: 3/5 Review #Special26 - Special Chabbis, a well treated heist thriller: http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/movie-review-special-chabbis-6475.html?page=7#.URUofJ3nFjo.twitter
Rakulpreet: Special chabbis!! What a film.. Hats off to Neeraj Pandey for Choosing unusual scripts. A complete treat for intelligent cinema lovers.
rahul99031: watched #Special26 second time just cant bored from this one strongly recommended
rahul_bhargav: Special Chhabbis... Nice!
raazpatel: Special chabbis!!!! One of the best movie i've ever seen!!! A must watch...:)
Priraman: Special Chabbis.. Naice.
Pratiush_R: Hats off to Neeraj Pandey for another cult movie after A Wednesday.Those who love films for thier stories should watch #special26 -mandatory
PrasunBannerjee: Special Chabbis... simply awesome!! :) Loved it!
pavanrgv: Special chabbis showcases some of brilliant prodcution design , fine performance form lead cast and tight screen play go for it
Paresh_Godhwani: #Special26 4th day 1st show. Wow! What an experience.
Nishita_I_Am: Btw, Special 26 IS awesome. B) #FinallyAGoodMovie
Nireekshith_K: Awesome performance from @AnupamPkher and @BajpayeeManoj in special 26 especially in interrogation scene.Can we expect a sequel now?
nikhilkulk: Special Chabbis - Highly enjoyable inspite of its flaws. Neeraj Pandey has managed to take the over-actor out of Akshay Kumar. #fb
mohitmathurs: Watched #special26 ,what an amazing movie.Its a director's movie. @AnupamPkher @akshaykumar you both rocked.Missed @ShahNaseeruddin in it
melangeindia: Critical Reception : Special Chabbis " Special Chabbis is an intelligently woven, slick and smart period... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2613804&l=ea88a78b0e&id=549460505068058
MayankBhttchrya: A Wednesday and now Special Chabbis. Neeraj Pandey, how on earth did I forget about you? Kudos. Inspiring as always!
mawalibhai: #Special26 @akshaykumar haqse laale, jaake humaare naam Se meethai khaa Le! Kya fillim banayeli Patel!
Maneckk: Special Chabbis (not twenty six) - an amazing entertainer with a fast-paced & exciting plot http://askmaverick.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/special-chabbis-and-not-twenty-six-a-special-entertainer-for-all-movie-lovers/ #Special26 #movie #review
makerofdestiny: #Special Chhabis is refreshng..Witty, taut wth good performances & adept art direction..Kudos 2 d team fr such entertainment!!
magneda2: Gb SIMI: Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper ~ News Corner: It's the late 1980s, India is yet to be... http://news-patrakar.blogspot.com/2013/02/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting-con_4931.html
luckygal07: Ohhhhh special chabbis Is a good movie... mujhe toh phele hi pata tha dat @akshaykumar will rock ;)
Lalitude: #Special26. Jhakaas! Kya pikchar banaya Pandeyji ne!
KushanNandy: Special Chabbis is truly special. Good performances, well scripted and thoroughly enjoyable. Very neat weekend watch.
kunal2110: Special Chabbis aka Special 26..... What a movie... Superb story... superb direction and no nonsense from Akshay Kumar... Must watch ...
kuldeep7714: special 26 awesome movie...... pls watch....again Akshay Kumar Hit On the 2nd of the month...... congrats for your success....:-):-):-):-)
krishnavarmaa: I loved Special Chabbis #specialchabbis
khiladiPankaj: The way #neeraj sir directed #special26 is unique enough... Tabhi toh sab kehte a perfect director makes every thing perfect..
KhiladiGroup: The Best Suspense/ Thriller Movie Ever - Special Chabbis! Excellent!
khiladiakshay_: Films of India - Special Chabbis - Film Review 4/5 — http://www.filmsofindia.com/viewnews-1806#.URUMsb24FCg.twitter
keshavjain2012: Special 26 deserves an applause. A good movie after a long time
kathyfgibson: "Special 26" (aka "Special Chabbis") is a fun heist film. My Access Bollywood review: http://accessbollywood.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/movie-review-special-26-2013/
Kamineycation: #special26 is really an outstanding movie. Superb acting by all actors with awesome script & directn by NeerajPandey. Rating-4/5 (MustWatch)
kalpesh_sojitra: Hey Guys...!!! I Watched "special 26"..this is "paisa vasool movie"
kahlon_amrit: Without any doubt, the best movie I've seen in the last few years. #Special26
Junedkagzii: Asli Power DilMain Hai #Special26 after a longtime @akshaykumar has shown his actng skills,hillarious movie & @AnupamPkher is superb as ever
jituhaswani: Last day watched #Special26 what a brilliant movie. #akshaykumar was the best.
JITENDRA55: Special 26 - 4* ABCD - Any Body Can Dance - 3.5*
idxnation: Special Chabbis....Indeed a good movie. I recommend this one to my friends.
hemal_patel2990: #Special26....nice movie....had a nice concept....after a long time...akshay kumar doing a serious acting...
HanutPipla: #Special26 ....Special Chabbis is a well-written, well-made thriller sans histrionics which translates into wholesome entertainment.
followdev: Special 26 Special Chabbis - loved it. Must watch!!
fear_tah: Special 26 - a good movie :) now we should watch movies seeing the directors and not the actors !
fabrags: Special Chabbis - Tight & slick. Good acting, excellent direction. Pandeyji, hats off.
enlighter_sm: Special Chabbis, a very enjoyable watch But a point to think is, as entertaining as it was, is dignifying Con artists a good thing?
Enigmatic_chap: Special Chabbis is the first best comic thriller movie of this year having amazing performance by Akshay, Anupam jee & Manoj :) Go for it !!
DurgaLuvsAkshay: All reviews of Special Chabbis. It was a brilliant movie.beside this proves movie is so brilliant , amazing. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=33527021&l=148941c00b&id=469425869741400”
drgsrk2006: Special Chabbis is a must watch!!
DJosephite: Special Chabbis was a superb.............
dineshlalla: Special 26 awesome akki rocks d show.
diepakverma80: Awesome,brilliant, fantastic,masterpiece,outstanding,amazing these r the few words to describe Special 26 ..
deniisjames: AN Supper dupper outstanding performance.... something new something different ... it was rocking ..!!! I just loved it...... "Special 26"
deepaknrn: Go for special chabbis with 200 % expectations , this film will satisfy you
cupcake_mish212: Special 26 is an AWESOME MOVIEEE @akshaykumar #Special26 #askshaykumar #Lol
chakritweets: Saw Special chabbis yesterday...Loads of fun and lots of laughs... Rocking movie.....
bressonian: Happy to report that Special Chabbis builds on the promise of Pandey's debut - terrific entertainment and a strong mainstream Hindi film
binodsharma6: watched special chabbis today......... its excelent movie....
BeingRohitAmble: Watched special chabbis , amazing heist film..neeraj pandey will be legendary director in the future .
beinghimanshu: Hats Off To Spcl 26 team... Best twist in movie @akshaykumar @anupampkher @bajpayeemanoj @divyadutta25 @jimmysheirgill @spcl26
bapsupaul: watched Special Chabbis at Eros Now Jangpura. with Debalina Dutta......nice movie.....a must watch......
avi_THE_SMARTY: SPECIAL CHHABBIS.. A Must Watch.. :)
ArticulativeMe: One word for #Special26 - Brilliant! Another masterpiece from the director of A Wednesday. @akshaykumar was the biggest surprise! :)
arpitarath: Loved #special chabbis! Amazing performance by @akshaykumar and manojbajpai! Good fun n witty too !
ArpitaMukherj11: Special Chabbis ...Pretty entertaining !!.. :)
anumandloi: Special chhabbis. A delightfully well made film. Must watch.
anujmadan4: Special Chabbis : gr8 role by Akshay Kumar after a llooooonnngg time ..Mast Watch !!!
AnkitOjha: #Special26 Movie Review: http://www.masala.com/37190-special-chabbis-review-2 Unabashedly entertaining; consistently paced, and very intelligently written and executed!
Aniksaha1317: Akshay Kumar's ‘Special 26’ is indeed special | Akshay Kumar | Anupam Kher | Special Chabbis http://www.bollywoodmantra.com/news/special-26-is-indeed-special/10855/#.URhoOt57fcQ.twitter
aneesunshine: Special chabbis!!! Awesome movie! brilliant performance by anupamkher and manojbajpai these men are the rock of Indian cinema.
amolrm: Special Chabbis-Asli Maza Interval ke baad hai....Perfect casting...Manoj Bajpayee & Anupam Kher outstanding...Must Watch.
alok3428: Special Chabbis turned out to be much better than I expected. Go for it, for once Akshay Kumar is back to the... https://www.facebook.com/hawk3428/posts/10151395196256056
akshit_3112: Special 26..What a Movie. So well directed. And amazing acting. Must watch. Shouldnt be missed. @AnupamPkher @akshaykumar @TeamAkshay
akshayk457: A very Good movie #Special26 !! Hats off to @akshaykumar very brave efford by him & also to Anupam Kher ji, Manoj & Jimmy shergill too!!
akshath83: Last 15 mins of Special Chabbis is Total Paisa Vasool - EnterTainment/Excitement /Thrillerment/
AKFG_Facebook: Special Chabbis Is Outstanding Entertaining Thriller... http://www.boxofficecapsule.com/review-specific.aspx?review_id=93
ajaychikara: special chhabbis- easily akshay's best work till date...wat casting, characterisation, choreo, script handling....AWESOME
agrawaltarun_ca: Special 26, shandaar movie worth to watch. Must watch movie
adurbayalbas: Special chabbis(26) is an awesome movie!!
AdityaPaharia15: Special Chabbis.....awesome movie....guys dont miss it!!!!!!
adityaa9z: I havent seen crowd applauding for a movie like they did for #Special26 for a long time. Perfection @akshaykumar @AnupamPkher @BajpayeeManoj
Abhigonibeed: #Special26. Awesome watch. Don't miss it guys, coz Asli power Dil mein hoti hain.
aashiq1996: A movie that is just extraordinary, go watch special chabbis! #SpecialChabbis
AanamC: #Special26 was a good movie, but the praise & all made me think it would be unpredictable. Useless extra special effects all the time.
aadrika_agarwal: Special Chabbis is sure to leave you speechless! - http://www.bolegaindia.com/gossips/Special_Chabbis_is_sure_to_leave_you_speechless-gid-25284-gc-6.html http://twitter.com/aadrika_agarwal/status/300125147019489280/photo/1
vicramb: Special Chabbis. Decent lil caper movie. Very old school.
unmarryme: The second half is really nice. I slept in the first half. "@TheMantallBwoy: I think I should go and watch Special Chhabbis."
SpinAndSwirl: The period detailing was well done, no doubt. But other than that, watchable at best. #Special26
mohanpady: #Special26 Nothin special about it.First half is lil boring & 2nd half little gripping.Just liked the 1980's look of the film.
himlalpun: special chhabbis - one time watch!
filmigirl: #Special26 Review posted! http://filmigirl.blogspot.com/2013/02/special-chabbis-not-so-special-but.html My verdict - not so special but entertaining enough.
connectaditya: Special 26 Review: http://connectwithadi.blogspot.in/2013/02/special-26-review.html 2.5/5. Points deducted for lousy screenplay and for being uselessly lengthy.
2951Dn: Special 26 has been seen. Mind cannotbeableto comprehend how Akshay Kumar could so a sane movie suddenly. One time watch. Love story useless
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: A fist fight.
- Language: None expressly expressed.
- Nudity & Sexual content: A few scenes with some cleavage.
- Concept: Con artists doing their job.
- General Look and Feel: Gives you a feeling of being in the 80s.
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Comments (29)
If this one's even 1/10th as gripping and thrilling as "A Wednesday",we definitely have one of the best films of 2013 on our hands....and Akshay's best by leaps and bounds too :P
If this one's even 1/10th as gripping and thrilling as "A Wednesday",we have the best film of 2013 on our hands and definitely Akshay Kumar's best by a long distance!
@Anuj I hope it is more than 1/10th *fingers crossed*
@meetu : Why are all my comments getting removed? I can't view any of them! :/
@Anuj I am extremely sorry. We are facing some huge technical problems with comments. We are in the process of fixing it. I am very sorry.
@Meetu : Btw,S-26 is a lot more than 1/10th of A Wednesday ;) Neeraj Pandey's back and how....And finally at long last can we really be proud of an Akshay Kumar film(omg was not his at all)
@Anuj Really? I didn't quite enjoy Special Chabbis, but for a few sequences. The end spoilt it for me completely.
Your review gives me a feeling that u went in with massive expectations(for obvious reasons).Forget about the fact that this one's from a guy who made A Wednesday and just watch it again with zero expectations and a blank mind.I'm sure you'd enjoy it a lot more.
PS:Something similar happened with me when i watched MKBKM!
The only unnecessary aspect was the Akshay-Kajal track.But again,much unlike A Wednesday,this one's an out & out commercial venture starring a guy whose carved a niche for himself through ott action/comedy films.Certain commercial aspects were always expected.
@Anuj Naah...beyond the expectations, the whole twist in the end was a major put off. The entire introduction, which I really liked, was only to make sure the audience didn't even consider the climax as a possible turn of events. chhhah!
I wonder how much u would have rated it had it been directed by Rohit Shetty or the Khan siblings :P
@Anuj oh, I am almost sure that the rating would have been more or less the same. The caveats are only because I am human. I try my best to keep my biases for individuals away from my reviews and judge the movie for what it is. For example, for every recent Amitabh film that I like, I literally close my eyes and try my best to confirm if I have liked the film more because of him. Similarly, for every Salman film I do the same exercise to see if I hated it more because of him. Though, I think that is a disservice to the film, because his films are for him, you know what I mean?
OOuch ! .. And i expected it to be another A Wednesday , this one raised every one's expectations after the trailers were out with reference to it's twisted and mysterious plot , I will not be surprised if it fails to make impression particularly to the Critic's . As for me i ll go to a cheap theatre as i am warned with this review of urs Meetu .
It means that u hate Salman Khan and cannot stand the sight of him :D Btw,which "recent" Amitabh film did u actually like? :O Its been 3.5 years since Paa released(a little overrated imo)
Most of the critics have given it a thumbs up..Not for the first time ur an exception Meeta :P
http://www.bollymoviereviewz.com/2013/02/special-26-chabbis-hindi-movie-review-taran-adarsh-rajeev-masand-anupama.html
I'm sure this one's gonna succeed at the bo!
I agree more with this review than with the others. I must say that despite the engaging pace and eventual cult status of 'A Wednesday', Neeraj Pandey has done something similar in that film as well - intentionally misusing the medium to fool the audience before giving a final twist. With this film, he has gone the whole hog on that. Special 26 is entertaining, no doubt, and far better than most recent 'entertainers' at that. But there are such huge flaws in the screenplay that the near-universal glowing words of praise showered on it by most critics confounds me.
Meetu: The end spoilt it for you? Now this is a first.
@Anuj hopefully, all your comments are restored now.
Yes, unfortunately, it's been a long while since I have liked an Amitabh Bachchan film. I have almost always liked his performance though. :)
@Guddu It has been received well, generally. I just don't like thrillers who create thrill by making something true, that was expressly stated as untrue earlier in the film. :(
@Pradeep I know! The overwhelming response has been underwhelming
@Harsh Are you being sarcastic? "This is a first" refers to a film's climax spoiling it for me?
Meetu you comment
"Special Chabbis is an unfair joke on the audience. If it were not for some witty dialogue delivered with great timing, Special Chabbis would've been a very frustrating experience."
Now I have to stop reading wogma reviews,
I can understand that lame love story and point that crime can pay shown in film were a let down , otherwise its a superb film.
I was forced to write this I saw u writing amazing about No Smoking and calling this movie an unfair joke.
People who say great about No Smoking are majority who in their own illusions think that they have the best intellect to understand such movies n such things do happen in great cinema and on other hand , for this movie you are talking how close or far from reality this movie is.
I think you do believe what shown in No Smoking do happen in actuality.
Dont take things personally Meetu, I am just commenting as reader of Wogma.
I also felt u biased unfairly towards houseful 2 and I mention that time also.
You may not be liking Akshay , but your reader might
PS - I am not Akshay fan , just a coincidence regarding Houseful 2.
Meetu: I meant to say you are the first (and only) person I know who didn't like the climax, so much so that it actually 'spoilt' the overall experience for you.
No sarcasm there at all :) infact, Would be glad if you throw some light on that.. how exactly did the climax make it worse?
@Vikramjeet and @Harsh I think the same answer will answer both your questions. Now, this is going to be a task without giving the movie away, still I shall try. Sorry, if the comments sound too cryptic.
Others, who might be reading this, please be warned, how much ever careful I try to be, there is a high chance you will be able to figure it out. So please don't read what follows unless you've seen the film or don't intend to.
Here goes -
Given the 'twist' in the climax, certain scenes in the beginning don't make sense. The Safdarjung meeting or even the first time the 'asli power' dialogue is used (and was mocked at later) wouldn't have happened, if the twist were to be believed.
In fact, the these scenes existed only to throw the audience off, far away from the twist. I, for instance, had thought about and ruled out the climax because of scenes like this. Note, here that I am not talking about the 'asli kaam toh' dialogue. :)
Secondly, chalo, let's assume, the makers were okay with fooling the audience so and I am being too picky, why would two people talk like strangers when they are alone, when they know each other? Authenticity in production design (for this one, the 80s feel) - telephones, currency notes, posters in background, rustic feel etc is great. But what good is it (for me), if characters don't behave with authenticity?
@Vikramjeet 'No Smoking' - That one stumped me and I was surprised with myself. I was inexplicably in awe. I am pretty close to sure that even if Anurag Kashyap were to explain the film scene by scene, I'd take repeated viewings to understand the film. And that is the beauty of that one specifically, and in general all films that have that effect - they make me like something I don't understand, and I love that they can do that.
Also, of course, some of wogma readers might like Akshay Kumar, but I cannot write how a movie makes them feel. I can only write my experience of watching a film. The day I claim to speak as per someone else's tastes, I'll be fake. Which is why, my attempt has always been to explain why I liked what I liked and why I didn't like what I didn't like, so readers as per their tastes can decide whether or not what worked/didn't work for me works/doesn't work for them. I've tried to explain this concept hear - http://wogma.com/article/why-read-a-review/
"The day I claim to speak as per of someone else's tastes, I'll be fake. Which is why, my attempt has always been to explain why I liked what I liked and why I didn't like what I didn't like, so readers as per their tastes can decide whether or not what worked/didn't work for me works/doesn't work for them."
Still not good enough for me to forgive you for your Jodhaa Akbar review :P
Nice Review.I Watch This Movie.Akshay Work Very Good.Kajal Play Also So Good Here
Direction: 1.5
Story: 2
Lead Actors: 2
Character Artists: 2
Dialogues: 2
Screenplay: 1
Music Director: 0.5
Lyrics: 0.5
@Anuj :) alright.
@Suman Oh finally, who didn't like the film more than me! It'd be great if you could elaborate.
Sad script, first half has couple of irritating super boring songs,before beginning of second half u will know the ending.
repetition of some scenes which were totally unnecessary.
I was expecting some unusual and interesting presentation of this interesting subject but got disappointed.
Flaws Flaws Flaws..if i started writing about flaws..it will take ages...:P
Waste of a good cast...Kajal is really beautiful..i was just watching her...though his role was not more than 15 mins and soooo unnecessary :(
@Suman :) Oh well...
Bakwaas movie. Unnecessery introduction of kajal, 1st rubbry was justified, but 2nd rubbry was nt necessery, anupam kher's daughter's marriage was undesirable 15 minut, the thiefs were taken money and how gone train, bus, flight were just nonsence bakwaas.
brilliant recreation of era, some really good acting, and a decent plot.. just bear kajal and a song
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