After the release of Special Ops 2 on JioHotstar, social media is buzzing with comments that this is what Bollywood’s “Spy Universe” films — like Pathaan, WAR, and Tiger — should aspire to be.
The upcoming WAR 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, has further fueled this debate, with many claiming that these films focus more on glamour, style, and action rather than authentic espionage elements.
But here’s the truth: every director and star bring their own flavor to the genre.
Spy thrillers can be realistic and grounded, like Special Ops or Baby, or they can be larger-than-life action spectacles, filled with chase sequences, exotic locations, heroines in bikini, and high-voltage heroism — which is exactly what fans expect when superstars like Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, or Shah Rukh Khan take the lead.
It would be foolish to expect them to solve cases over phone calls, as Kay Kay Menon does brilliantly in Special Ops.
Even Hollywood operates the same way. There are gritty, realistic spy dramas like Munich, and there are slick, stylish franchises like James Bond or Mission: Impossible. Both sub-genres have their own audiences and entertainment value.
Ultimately, whether it’s a grounded thriller or a massy spy blockbuster, the goal is the same — to entertain and engage the audience.
Comparing something like Special Ops 2 with WAR 2 or Pathaan is foolish as they serve different cinematic tastes.
