Up close & personal with Kay Kay, soon to be seen in Special Ops Season 2

At the trailer launch of Special Ops Season 2 in Mumbai, we catch up with the talented actor, Kay Kay Menon, who reprises his role of Himmat Singh in this much-anticipated Neeraj Pandey series.

Special Ops has made a distinct space for itself in the espionage genre. How do you raise the stakes for a second season of a show that’s already well-established?

For me, each scene is a fresh challenge. I don’t carry the weight of previous performances or future expectations. I didn’t know that Himmat Singh would be loved this much when we did the first season. My job is to give my best within what’s written and leave the rest to destiny. That’s really all an actor can do.

Himmat Singh is now an iconic character. Do aspects of him still surprise you? What keeps the portrayal fresh for you?

Each new script gives me something new to explore. Even if the situations feel familiar, the emotional texture changes. That keeps things exciting. We’re constantly discovering new dimensions of Himmat as we did in Season 1.5, and now again in Season 2. That evolution keeps both the writing and the acting process fresh.

How did Special Ops impact your cinematic journey?

It came at a time when I became more mature as an actor. After years of experience, everything came together—the timing, the writing. When the writing is solid, half the battle is already won. You just have to feel it, understand the complexity, and bring it alive.

Himmat juggles duty with personal life, which makes him relatable. How important is that balance in the story?

That complexity is what excites me as an actor. Himmat follows a nation-first life motto. We saw that clearly in 1.5 when he sacrifices his love for his duty. Now, with a family in the picture, it adds layers.

When you first heard about the role, what was your reaction?

When I first heard of Himmat Singh, many others had already auditioned. The way the role was written gave a lot of scope for an actor. You’re portraying someone under constant pressure from all sides, and that kind of complexity is exciting. That’s what makes it special.

Is it fair to say — No Kay Kay Menon, no Special Ops?

I wouldn’t say that. It’s not about me. But if people feel that without us it doesn’t feel complete, then it means we’ve done something right.

Did your personal life influence your portrayal of Himmat Singh, especially since your father was in the police?

Never. I play the version that exists in the writer’s imagination. Sometimes if you meet the real person, you may not even be impressed. For example, when I played Rakesh Maria in Black Friday, I never met him. My goal is to bring alive what’s written—not to copy someone.

How do you view marketing vs acting in your process?

Acting is one thing, marketing is a completely different beast. What we’re doing now is marketing. But acting? That’s where you pay the price for your craft.

What do you think sets this season apart?

This season has an internal narrative, a quiet intensity, and a lot of calm before the storm. We’ll also see younger characters emerging, so it will connect well with younger viewers.

Is there a behind-the-scenes memory that still makes you smile?

We’ve built tons of memories. There’s never been a day on set when I thought, “Oh no, I have to work again.” It’s always with a smile that we turned up. We knew we’re doing something we would remember fondly for years to come.

When the enemy hides behind screens and strikes without a sound, only one man can decode the chaos — Himmat Singh!

JioHotstar unveiled the trailer of Special Ops Season 2, reigniting the nation’s love for high-stakes storytelling that blends real-world relevance with blockbuster intensity.

With Kay Kay Menon reprising his iconic role as RAW officer Himmat Singh, the new season promises a deeper, darker, and more urgent mission than ever before.

Set in a volatile geopolitical landscape, Special Ops 2 mirrors the heightened security anxieties of our times where wars are no longer fought solely on battlegrounds, but in the cloud, and the enemy is embedded in everyday life. As coordinated cyber breaches threaten national stability, Himmat and his elite squad are thrust into a silent war, one without warning, smoke, or visible scars, but with consequences that strike at the very soul of the nation.

Directed by Shivam Nair, the season features a stellar ensemble cast that includes Prakash Raj, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Gautami Kapoor, Parmeet Sethi and Kali Prasad Mukherjee among others.

With his trusted team by his side, Himmat races against time to stop a faceless adversary one who plays by no rules, leaves no trace, and is always one step ahead.

Featuring a fresh new antagonist portrayed by Tahir Raj Bhasin and powered by a global scale, layered intrigue, and razor-sharp performances, Special Ops Season 2 sets the stage for a gripping July 11 release. This time, the battlefield is everywhere!

Creator Neeraj Pandey said, “This season reflects the times we live in, where the enemy doesn’t announce their arrival. The new-age warfare has altered everything we know about threat, security, and sacrifice. Special Ops 2 is about the war we don’t see, until it hits home. It’s a reminder that in today’s world, the greatest battles are fought without a single bullet fired, but the damage runs just as deep.”

Menon who is portraying the iconic character of Himmat Singh said, “Himmat Singh has always fought with grit, intellect, and instinct. But this time, the war isn’t visible. The stakes are bigger, the threats more unpredictable and that made this season both relevant and deeply personal to portray.”

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