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{{Short description|2013 film by Neeraj Pandey}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Special 26
| image = Special 26 poster.jpg
| alt = The poster features faces of all top-billed actors. The film title appears at bottom-left.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Neeraj Pandey]]
| producer = {{ubl|[[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]]|Shital Bhatia|Kumar Mangat Pathak}}
| writer = Neeraj Pandey
| starring = [[Akshay Kumar]] [[Manoj Bajpayee]] [[Kajal Agarwal]] [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] [[Anupam Kher]] [[Divya Dutta]] [[Kishor Kadam]]
| narrator =
| music = '''Original Songs:''' [[M. M. Kreem]] '''Guest Composer:''' [[Himesh Reshammiya]] '''Background Score:''' [[Surinder Sodhi]]
| cinematography = [[Bobby Singh (cinematographer)|Bobby Singh]]
| editing = Shree Narayan Singh
| studio = [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]] [[Friday Filmworks]] [[Panorama Studios|Wide Frame Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]]
| based_on = [[1987 Opera House heist]]
| released = {{film date|df=yes|2013|2|8}}
| runtime = 144 minutes<ref name=Runtime>{{cite web|title=''Special 26'' (PG)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/special-26-2013-0|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=6 February 2013}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR|390 million|link=yes}}<ref name=Budget/>
| gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|1.26 billion}}<ref name="boxofficeindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1237|title=Special 26|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=19 November 2016}}</ref>
}}

'''''Special 26''''' (also known as '''''Special Chabbis''''') is a 2013 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[heist film]] written and directed by [[Neeraj Pandey]] and produced by Shital Bhatia under [[Friday Filmworks]] and Kumar Mangat Pathak under [[Panorama Studios|Wide Frame Pictures]] in association with [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures|Viacom18 Motion Pictures]]. It is based on the [[1987 Opera House heist]] where a group posing as [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officers]] executed an [[income tax]] raid on the jeweler in [[Mumbai|Bombay]] (present-day Mumbai). It stars an [[ensemble cast]] of [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Manoj Bajpayee]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], [[Jimmy Sheirgill]], [[Anupam Kher]] and [[Divya Dutta]] in lead roles.

''Special 26'' released worldwide on 8 February 2013 and following the widespread critical acclaimed reviews, the film was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Made on a total budget of {{INRConvert|390|m|lk=r}}, it grossed {{INRConvert|1.26|b}} worldwide and became the 10th highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year. The film is considered one of the finest films of that year.

''Special 26'' was remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Thaanaa Serndha Koottam]]'' in 2018.

== Plot ==
The story of the film opens on 18 March 1987, where a walk-in CBI interview is taking place, held by Ajay 'Ajju' Singh ([[Akshay Kumar]]) and Pramod Kumar 'P.K.' Sharma ([[Anupam Kher]]). The film then goes into flashback.

Ajay ([[Akshay Kumar]]) calls a local police station to obtain more manpower for a CBI [[Police raid|raid]]. He speaks to SI Ranveer Singh ([[Jimmy Sheirgill]]) who agrees to send the required number of support officers. Ajay, with accomplices Pramod Kumar 'P.K.' Sharma ([[Anupam Kher]]), Joginder Khurana ([[Rajesh Sharma (actor)|Rajesh Sharma]]), and Iqbal Ali ([[Kishor Kadam]]), meet the supporting officers and conduct the raid.

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

Ranveer with his senior officer meet the minister of the earlier raid, who reveals that he doesn't want the news to appear in the public domain because he wants to protect his image. The senior officer suspends Ranveer with his colleague Shanti ([[Divya Dutta]]) for being irresponsible.

Waseem Khan ([[Manoj Bajpayee]]), an honest CBI officer lives with his wife ([[Neetu Singh (born 1990)|Neetu Singh]]) and child in [[New Delhi]]. A disgraced Ranveer meets Khan, and they join hands to apprehend Ajay and his accomplices.

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

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

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

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

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

== Cast ==
[[File:Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|[[Kajal Aggarwal]] with her co-star [[Akshay Kumar]] during the promotions of their film in 2013]]
{{col begin|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Akshay Kumar]] as Ajay "Ajju" Singh / CBI Officer A. K. Vardhan
* [[Manoj Bajpayee]] as CBI Officer Waseem Khan
* [[Anupam Kher]] as Pramod Kumar "P. K." Sharma
* [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] as Sub-Inspector Ranveer Singh
* [[Kajal Aggarwal]] as Priya Chauhan
* [[Rajesh Sharma (actor)|Rajesh Sharma]] as Joginder Khurana
* Rahaao as Candidate 19
* [[Vikas Shrivastav]] as Rajiv Gupte, Candidate 6 and Wassem's partner
* [[Kishor Kadam]] as Iqbal Ali
* [[Divya Dutta]] as Shanti
* [[Kharaj Mukherjee]] as Roy, CBI Officer in Kolkata
* [[Deepraj Rana]] as Rahul
* [[Ujjwal Chopra]] as Solanki
* [[Tiku Talsania]] as Magandas, BSJ Jewellery shop owner
* [[Sachin Nayak]] as Vella boy
* [[Neetu Singh (born 1990)|Neetu Singh]] as Waseem's wife
* [[Vipin Sharma]] as ACP Bhushan Patel (fake)
* [[Abha Parmar]] as Minister Gupta's wife
* Mukesh S. Bhatt as Minister's PA (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1201151/){{citation needed|date= December 2020}}
* Gurpal Singh as Telephone repairing guy
* Jarnail Singh as Telephone taping guy
* [[Ronika]] as Miss/Mrs. Sharma, P. K.'s daughter
* Sharad Shetty as goon chased by Waseem at Connaught Place
* [[Suraj Gupta]] as Informer Munna
* [[Neeru Bajwa]] Special appearance in song "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen Di Chaava"
{{col end}}

==Production==
===Development===
The film takes its foundations from the [[1987 Opera House heist|robbery of 19 March 1987]], when 26 people posing as income tax officials raided a jewellery store in [[Royal Opera House (Mumbai)|Opera House]], [[Mumbai|Bombay]].

Manoj Bajpai was signed to play the CBI officer,<ref name=BH>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/news/type/view/id/1414244|title=Manoj Bajpai to play CBI agent in Special Chhabees|author=Subhash K Jha|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=23 February 2012}}</ref> and Anupam Kher plays a vital role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-25/news-interviews/30556430_1_anupam-kher-neeraj-pandey-new-film|title=Anupam Kher excited for Neeraj Pandey's next|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 December 2011}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kajal Aggarwal plays a specially-written role of Ajay Singh's love interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-signs-her-next-film/20120227.htm|title=Singham actress Kajal Aggarwal signs her next film|publisher=Rediff|access-date=27 February 2012}}</ref>

[[Ajay Devgn]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]] were reported to have been considered for the lead role. It went to Akshay Kumar as he was Pandey's first choice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/ajay-devgn-roped-in-for-neeraj-pandey-s-special-chabbis_78738.htm|title=Ajay Devgn roped in for Neeraj Pandey's Special Chabbis|publisher=Zee News}}</ref> Kajal Aggarwal is playing the role of a school teacher.<ref>{{cite web|author=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-04/news-interviews/36148464_1_school-teacher-special-chabbis-akshay-kumar |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216075624/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-04/news-interviews/36148464_1_school-teacher-special-chabbis-akshay-kumar |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |title=Kajal Aggarwal to play a school teacher |date=4 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-says-she-lords-akshay/313811-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222174641/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-says-she-lords-akshay/313811-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2014 |title=Special Chabbis: Kajal Aggarwal is in awe of Akshay Kumar- Bollywood- IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=4 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> Akshay Kumar slashed his fee by half for ''Special Chabbis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-slashes-fee-by-half-for-i-special-chabbis-i-318073 |title=Akshay Kumar slashes fee by half for Special Chabbis | NDTV Movies.com |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rebello |first=Runcil |url=http://businessofcinema.com/news/why-akshay-kumar-slashed-his-fee-by-50-for-special-chabbis/57459 |title=Why Akshay Kumar Slashed His Fee By 50% For 'Special Chabbis' |publisher=Businessofcinema.com |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

===Filming===
Shooting began on 23 February 2012 in [[Delhi]]. The first schedule of the film was shot in [[Chandni Chowk]], following which the unit moved to [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-10/news-interviews/31142603_1_akshay-kumar-shooting-special-chabbis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530163132/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-10/news-interviews/31142603_1_akshay-kumar-shooting-special-chabbis|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-30|title=Akshay Kumar shoots for Special Chabbis in Delhi|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Special 26
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. M. Kreem]] and [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|01|09}}
| recorded = 2013
| venue = [[Hyderabad]], [[Mumbai]]
| studio = [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Film Laboratories]], [[Hyderabad]]
| genre = [[Film Soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = {{Duration|m=25|s=28}}
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| producer = [[Friday Filmworks]]
| chronology = [[M. M. Kreem]]
| prev_title = [[Shirdi Sai]]
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[Anaamika (2014 film)|Anaamika]]
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| type = Soundtrack
| prev_title = [[Khiladi 786]]
| prev_year = 2012
| title = Special 26
| year = 2013
| next_title = [[Shortcut Romeo]]
| next_year = 2013
}}
}}
The soundtrack album of ''Special 26'' was composed by noted South Indian film composer [[M. M. Keeravani]] credited as [[M. M. Kreem]]. [[Himesh Reshammiya]], was roped in as the guest composer for the song "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" which was written by [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]], and the rest of them were penned by [[Irshad Kamil]]. All the songs were recorded at [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Film Laboratories]] in [[Hyderabad]], and Silver Harmony in [[Mumbai]]. The music rights were acquired by [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] and the album was released on 9 January 2013, at a promotional event held in [[PVR Cinemas|PVR]], Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 details|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/541766|publisher=Bollywoodhungama}}</ref> The background score of the film is composed by [[Surinder Sodhi]].
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = {{Duration|m=25|s=28}}
| title1 = Tujh Sang Lagee
| extra1 = [[Krishnakumar Kunnath|KK]], [[M. M. Kreem]]
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| length1 = 4:13
| title2 = Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen
| extra2 = [[Aman Trikha]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[Shabab Sabri]]
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| length2 = 4:06
| title3 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra3 = [[Chaitra H. G.|Chaitra Ambadipudi]]
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| length3 = 2:57
| title4 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra4 = [[Keerthi Sagathia]]
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| length4 = 4:24
| title5 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra5 = [[Papon (Assamese singer)|Papon]]
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| length5 = 2:54
| title6 = Dhar Pakad
| extra6 = [[Bappi Lahiri]]
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| length6 = 2:22
| title7 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra7 = [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| length7 = 2:32
| title8 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra8 = M. M. Kreem
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| length8 = 3:20
| title9 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra9 = [[Akshay Kumar]]
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| length9 = 3:13
| title10 =
| length10 =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music = [[M. M. Kreem]] and lyrics were written by [[Irshad Kamil]], except the track "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" was composed by [[Himesh Reshammiya]] as guest composer, and lyrics written by [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]]
| all_writing =
| note3 = Female
| note4 = Version 1
| note5 = Male
| note6 =
| note7 = Film Version
| note8 = Version 2
| note9 = Film Version
}}

== Marketing and release ==
''Special Chabbis'' released on for around {{INRConvert|120|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 First Day Business|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5381&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=release>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Opening Day Box Office Collections|url=http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/special-26-opening-day-box-office-collections/ |publisher=koimoi|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> The producers have {{INRConvert|500|m}} investment on ''Special Chabbis'', as the film has fetched around {{INRConvert|350|m}} from sale of the territory rights across India.<ref name="invest">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5388&nCat= |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Box Office India |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="komalsreviews.wordpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/special-26-review/ |title=SPECIAL 26 review | Komal Nahta's Blog |publisher=Komalsreviews.wordpress.com |date=8 February 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> ''Special 26'' was made on a budget of around {{INRConvert|300|m}}, with a publicity and advertising budget of around {{INRConvert|120|m}}.<ref name=Budget>{{cite web|title=Initial reports on Special 26 and ABCD positive|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-13/box-office/37059269_1_satellite-rights-abcd-film|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227060637/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-13/box-office/37059269_1_satellite-rights-abcd-film|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref>[[File:Special 26 logo.jpg|thumb|Since the film is set in late-1980s, the title was designed to resemble the type-face of newspapers back then]]
The theatrical trailer was released online on 20 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiyQb28geOg|title=Special Chabbis Official Trailer|via=YouTube}}</ref> The first promos of ''[[Nautanki Saala]]'' and ''[[Chashme Baddoor (2013 film)|Chashme Baddoor]]'' were attached to ''Special 26''.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Look of Nautanki Saala with Special 26|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1708601/First-Look-of-Nautanki-Saala-with-Special-26|publisher=Bollywoodhungama|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> The movie was distributed all over India by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures. Akshay Kumar, with the rest of the cast of ''Special Chabbis'', were scheduled to visit the crime spot of the incident that inspired the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akshay Kumar to visit 'Special Chabbis' crime spot in Mumbai|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-to-visit-special-chabbis-crime-spot-in-zaveri-bazaar/370922-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208065121/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-to-visit-special-chabbis-crime-spot-in-zaveri-bazaar/370922-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2013 |publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Akshay Kumar to visit Special Chabbis crime spot |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-visit-i-special-chabbis-i-crime-spot-326422 |publisher=ndtv|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> A special screening was held for [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] officials on 5 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=CBI wants to review Akshay Kumar's Special Chabbis |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/cbi-wants-to-review-akshay-kumar-s-i-special-chabbis-i-325060|publisher=ndtv|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical reception ===
{{Album ratings
|rev1=Bollywood Hungama
|rev1Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="bh score" />
|rev2=CNN-IBN
|rev2Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="cnnibn score" />
|rev3=''Hindustan Times''
|rev3Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=choprahindustan>{{cite web|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|title=Special 26 review|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Special-26/Article1-1008866.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108160536/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Special-26/Article1-1008866.aspx|archive-date=8 November 2014}}</ref>
|rev4=NDTV
|rev4Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NDTV Score" />
|rev5=Rediff
|rev5Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper" />
|rev6=''The Times of India''
|rev6Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="toi review" />
|rev7=Zee News
|rev7Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="ZeeNews" />
|rev8=Planet Bollywood
|rev8Score={{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PB Score" />
}}

[[Taran Adarsh]] of [[Bollywood Hungama]] gave the score of 4 out of 5, and said "''Special Chabbis'' is an intelligently woven, slick and smart period thriller with its subject matter as its USP. It's sure to get listed as one of the most gripping heist dramas based on real life occurrences."<ref name="bh score">{{cite web|title=Special Chabbis – Review |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/541766|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|author=Taran Adarsh|date=7 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|4|5}}</ref>

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

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "''Special 26'' is an intelligently scripted, superbly acted, enthralling and believable heist film that is more than just that."<ref name="NDTV Score">{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-i-special-26-i-781|title=Special 26 Review (NDTV)|author=Saibal Chatterjee|date=7 February 2013|publisher=movies.ndtv.com|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref>

Kaushik Ramesh of Planet Bollywood gave the film 8 out of 10 and summarised, "The unfolding of each scene brings with it certain unforeseeable surprises, course changing and effective. The adrenalizing screenplay makes you spontaneously acknowledge the genius in the director Neeraj Pandey who clearly emerges as the hero to watch out for."<ref name="PB Score">{{cite web |last=Ramesh|first=Kaushik|title=Special 26 Review by Kaushik Ramesh|url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=f021013060340|publisher=Planet Bollywood|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref>

Resham Sengar of [[Zee News]] rated the film 4 out of 5, stating, "Very rarely would you come across a logically scripted and intelligently-directed drama thriller churned out from the good ol' Hindi cine factory these days. And here’s a promising Neeraj Pandey for you who is back with a bang (and bang on target) with another awe inspiring film ''Special 26''."<ref name="ZeeNews">{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/special-26-review-this-heist-suspense-drama-scores-for-its-entertaining-value_127612.htm|title=Special 26 Review|last=Sengar|first=Resham|work=Resham Sengar|publisher=Zee News|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref>

[[Rajeev Masand]] of CNN-IBN gave 3.5 out of 5, saying "''Special Chabbis'' works on account of its meaty, realistic plot and nicely fleshed out characters. This is solid, assured filmmaking, evident in the meticulous detailing of its 80s production design. The film charms you with its subtle humor, through characters played by Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta."<ref name="cnnibn score">{{cite web|last=Review|first=Special 26|title=Rejeev Masand Review|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/special-chabbis-review-its-a-delicious-thriller-you-dont-want-to-miss/371706-47-84.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211095447/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/special-chabbis-review-its-a-delicious-thriller-you-dont-want-to-miss/371706-47-84.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 February 2013|work=Rajeev Masand|publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>

Madhureeta Mukherjee of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, while adding, "''Special 26'' doesn't stun you with a social message like Pandey's '[[A Wednesday!]]', but it grips, excites and ahh...climaxes too! And no ... you can't fake this one! Catch it for pure cinematic orgasm."<ref name="toi review">{{cite web|title=Special 26 – Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/18381381.cms|work=The Times of India|author=Madhureeta Mukherjee|date=7 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>

Sukanya Verma for [[Rediff.com]] gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and said, "''Special Chabbis'' is one of the finest films of the year so far."<ref name="Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|title=rediff Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper|author=Sukanya Verma|work=Rediff.com|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>

Newstrackindia stated that ''Special 26'' is a no-nonsense film from Akshay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/2/8/90-Special-Chabbis-Review-Finally-a-no-nonsense-film-from-Akshay.html|title=Special Chabbis Review: Finally a no nonsense film from Akshay|date=7 February 2013|publisher=Newstrackindia.com|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

=== Box office ===

==== India ====
''Special 26'' opened at 30% occupancy on Thursday morning but it improved steadily till the evening shows to 60% due to positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5376&nCat=|title=First Day Occupancy|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref> The film netted {{INRConvert|57.5|m}} on its first day<ref name="1st day">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5384&nCat=|title=Special 26 First Day Territorial Breakdown|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> and further grow to make {{INRConvert|231|m}} in its first weekend.<ref name="1st weekend">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5390&nCat=|title=Special 26 First Weekend Territorial Breakdown|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> The film collected around {{INRConvert|37.5|m}} nett on Monday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Has Decent Collections on Monday |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5392&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> It netted around {{INRConvert|387|m}} in its first week.<ref name="1st week">{{cite web|title=Special 26 Week One Territorial Breakdown|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5409&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> In its second weekend it has a collection of around {{INRConvert|19.9|m}} to bring its ten-day figure to around {{INRConvert|480|m}} nett.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Grosses 48 Crore in Ten Days|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5411&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> In its second week, the film netted {{INRConvert|179.9|m}} taking its total business to nearly {{INRConvert|567|m}} in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Week Two Territorial Breakdown |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5430&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> It eventually netted around {{INRConvert|657|m}} with a distributor share of {{INRConvert|318|m}} in domestic market.<ref name="final domestic">{{cite web|title=Special 26 v Khiladi 786: All India Comparison|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5479&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=14 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317025209/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5479&nCat=|archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5828&nCat= |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Box Office India |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

The worldwide gross of ''Special 26'' stands at {{INRConvert|1.29|b}}.<ref name="boxofficeindia.com" />

==== Overseas ====
''Special 26'' had low opening overseas with a collection of $1.25 million its first weekend.<ref name="overseas opening">{{cite web|title=Special 26 – $1.25 Million ABCD – $425k|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5394&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> It further netted around $2.35 million in ten days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Murder 3 Dull Special 26 Heads For $3 million|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5415&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=20 February 2013}}</ref> Its final overseas collections was US$2.75 million.<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5933&nCat=</ref>

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

== See also ==
* [[1987 Opera House heist]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=2377938|title=Special Chabbis}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|special_26}}
{{Portal bar|India|Film|Bollywood}}

[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2010s heist films]]
[[Category:2013 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian heist films]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Central Bureau of Investigation in fiction]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films scored by Himesh Reshammiya]]
[[Category:Films directed by Neeraj Pandey]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films scored by Surinder Sodhi]]
[[Category:Viacom18 Studios films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]

Special 26 - Revision history

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