Fans of gripping espionage thrillers have been raving about the cast of Special Ops since the series debuted, and Special Ops season 2 cast takes the intensity to new heights with returning heroes and formidable new villains. Released on JioHotstar on July 18, 2025, after a slight delay from July 1. It expands on the heritage of the first season (2020), the prequel Special shown in operation (2021), by Neeraj Pandey. The show comprises of mega stars such as powerhouse Kay Kay Menon as RAW agent Himmat group, heading a force against cyber-terror threats.
Directed by Neeraj Pandey and Shivam Nair, Special Ops 2 cast is an amalgamation of experienced actors with new faces, and it is an action packed movie that rocks directly around various locations over the world, which include Budapest, Dominica and Delhi. The plot addresses AI kidnappings, spies in the intelligence cycle, and the huge cyber battle orchestrated by Chinese-linked representatives. With an IMDb rating hovering around 8.6 for the franchise, special ops cast elements shine through authentic performances and high-stakes drama.
Special Ops Season 2 Cast: Returning Heroes and New Threats
At the core of the special ops 2 cast is Kay Kay Menon reprising Himmat Singh, the relentless RAW officer uncovering patterns in terror attacks spanning decades. Menon’s nuanced portrayal earned praise for its menace and depth, making him the franchise anchor across all 15 episodes.
Karan Tacker returns as Farooq Ali (aliases Amjad Sharif/Rashid Malik), the undercover operative chasing leads from Athens to beyond, blending loyalty with moral ambiguity. Vinay Pathak shines as SI Abbas Sheikh, the strategist digging into suspects like Subramanyam. Muzamil Ibrahim as Avinash handles high-risk ops in Budapest, while Saiyami Kher as Juhi Kashyap teams up for global pursuits.
Gautami Kapoor is playing the role of Saroj, Revathi Pillai plays Pari (daughter of Himmat who discovers secrets), Parmeet Sethi plays Naresh, Chaddha, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee plays D.K.Bannerjee and this adds intrigue in terms of internal agency. Ruhani Sayyed is played by Meher Vij (season 1 ) and Shikha Talsania (season 2). Newcomers elevate the cast of special ops 2: Prakash Raj as Subramanyam (powerful RAW figure), Tahir Raj Bhasin as chilling antagonist Sudheer Awasthi/The Collector, Tota Roy Chowdhury as Vinod Shekhawat, Arif Zakaria as Dr. Piyush Bhargava, Kamakshi Bhatt as Dr. Harminder Gill, Vikkas Manaktala as Abhay Singh, and Dalip Tahil as Virendra Bakshi.
Here’s a Quick Table of Key Special OPS Season 2 Cast Members:
| Actor | Character | Role Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Kay Kay Menon | Himmat Singh | Lead RAW agent, mastermind |
| Karan Tacker | Farooq Ali | Undercover specialist |
| Vinay Pathak | Abbas Sheikh | Investigator |
| Muzamil Ibrahim | Avinash | Field operative |
| Saiyami Kher | Juhi Kashyap | Team partner |
| Prakash Raj | Subramanyam | High-ranking official |
| Tahir Raj Bhasin | Sudheer Awasthi | Main antagonist, cyber mastermind |
Plot Summary: Cyber Warfare and Betrayal
Special Ops season 2 dives into a “silent war” starting with AI scientist Dr. Bhargav’s abduction and a RAW officer’s murder in Delhi. Himmat probes bankers Chaddha and Banerjee, uncovering Shekhawat’s mission amid bank defaulter hunts and AI scientist chases. Avinash hits Budapest leads revealing China’s cyber offensive to destabilize India; Juhi joins for Dominica ops on Jignesh Dholakia.
Tensions peak with a suspected mole leading to The Collector, Abbas scrutinizing Subramanyam, and Himmat identifying Sudheer Awasthi behind the cyber plot with Dr. Bhargava’s aid. Episodes titled “Friday” to “Thursday” build to a nail-biting finale where the nation teeters on digital collapse. Themes of trust, betrayal, and foresight dominate, shifting from past attacks to prevention.
Production Insights: Budget and Behind-the-Scenes
Though official figures remain unconfirmed as of 2026, season 1 cost ₹10 crore, while Special Ops 1.5 hit ₹28 crore, Special Ops 2 likely matches or exceeds this with international shoots in Vienna, Budapest, Dominican Republic, Nepal, and more. Neeraj Pandey’s Friday Storytellers produced under JioHotstar, with cinematography by Arvind Singh and action by Abbas Ali Moghul. Filming recreated high-tension sequences, earning acclaim for grounded stunts.
No traditional box office applies to this OTT series, but viewership exploded post-release:
| Metric | Estimate (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | 28+ |
| OTT Revenue (Streaming Rights) | Not disclosed |
| Total Franchise Impact | Massive JioHotstar boost |
Reviews: Critics and Audience Buzz
Special Ops season 2 garnered solid reviews, with Hollywood Reporter India calling it a “dense, rat-tat-tat paced thriller” improving on season 1 via cyber stakes. Social Ketchup praised slick action and ambitious scale but noted autopilot vibes. IMDb users love Kay Kay’s form, rating episodes high despite pacing quibbles.
Critics highlight layered storytelling testing loyalties, with Tahir Raj Bhasin’s antagonist stealing scenes. Fans on Reddit and Twitter hail it as binge-worthy, though some miss season 1’s parliament focus. Overall, 8/10 average, cementing special ops cast as OTT elite.
Where to Watch and Franchise Future
Stream all episodes on JioHotstar, with Hindi and regional dubs. The 2025 drop revitalized the franchise, expect more from Himmat’s world. For special ops season 2 cast, this ensemble delivers non-stop thrills.
