Kay Kay Menon on being an actor before advent of streaming: ‘Those of us who were stubborn stuck around, more talented actors perished'

Indian Express

18 hours ago

In Neeraj Panday's Special Ops, Vinay Pathak's Delhi Police officer Abbas is to Kay Kay Menon's top spy Himmat Singh what Circuit is to Munna Bhai. Ahead of season 2, Vinay, Kay Kay, and Neeraj talk to SCREEN in an exclusive interview about this special onscreen pairing, what's new in the next instalment, and if after the advent of streaming, cinema still has place for actors like Vinay and Kay Kay.
The titles of episodes across Special Ops and Special Ops 1.5 are named after films, although there are no film references in the show. What was the idea behind that?
Neeraj: It was a personal tribute, more than anything else. It just occurred to me that the films that had left a strong impression on my growing-up years, if there's one chance I can pay a tribute to them, I thought let's call the episodes by their names. And there has to be some kind of connect of that title to that episode. Like in the final episode of Special Ops 1.5, Ijaazat, it was linked to what Himmat was going through in that episode.
Vinay: And what a lovely way to do that! I want to commend Neeraj for that. Even we forget which was the first thriller we watched, whether it was Don or Achanak? So it's a lovely way to remember those.
I have always wondered, if Special Ops 1.5 was a prequel to Special Ops, why was it called 1.5, and not 0.5?
Neeraj: If you look at the end sequence of 1.5, it brings you upto speed. And that's where season 2 starts. It was just to make the audience know a little bit about Himmat's world and the people invested in his relationships.
Kay Kay: And it's also about the complexity. Like in Special Ops season 1, there's a flashback in which there's an event. That event has been taken to construct 1.5. So it's still 1.5 because it's still part of season 1. But in season 1, it was a flashback.
Vinay: Basically, we're making our version of Back to the Future (laughs).
Vinay said at the trailer launch that you were planning to kill Abbas in season 1. Why was that?
Vinay: In the first draft, perhaps Abbas was someone else. I feel very happy and privileged I was thought of for playing Abbas even before the script was completed. In the process, we had a chat. Before killing him, Neeraj was in two minds. But I said, 'No no, if it makes sense for the screenplay, please kill him.'
Neeraj: Subtext being, 'How dare you kill him?'
Vinay: (Laughs) No, but I have a lot of respect for anyone who looks at a screen or a piece of paper and tries to create something. It's larger than what we give it any credit for. Writers are the last ones we remember a project for. On the writing table, when he got this inquisition and discussed it with me, I felt very special that something could be made of Abbas. I don't know what it was, but I'm glad it didn't happen. I'm not complaining.
Neeraj, do you know what it was? Why were you trying to kill him?
Neeraj: When I got the vision of Special Ops, Kay Kay and Vinay were pulled into the show already, even before the first eight episodes were written. There was a twist in episode 7, when Abbas gets killed. But it's also part-greed when you cast someone like Vinay that you don't want to let go of him. That's how 1.5 came about. In hindsight, it was a fantastic decision and a great addition to this show.
Spy stories are usually full of agents going rogue and close associates betraying you. What's it about Himmat and Abbas that makes them stick together for years?
Vinay: It's very easy. It's written that way. And as actors, we've to submit to that. If we question or doubt it, then it wouldn't be what it is for us right now. The relationship is written in such a beautiful way. I remember when I had a scene with Gautami (Kapoor) at a mall in Delhi, I thought, 'Are we making Pati Patni Aur Woh? Why am I here to meet the wife?' Gautami and I laughed about it, that we'd be the other people in a triangular love story. But Special Ops isn't just about bang-bang guns, plot, and espionage, it's also about relationships.
Neeraj: But it's a very emotional scene. The wife is worried about Himmat, and the only person she can turn to is this man! Things like these resonate and make it more human.
Vinay: Yes, I remember the scene in the club when I'm spying on his daughter. There are little touches like that, and that makes it beautiful.
Yes, we see Himmat is a top spy, but he struggles with his personal life because he also starts spying on his daughter. How did you approach that personality flaw?
Kay Kay: Yes, spying has gotten into his veins. So as a result, he also puts a chip into his daughter's phone so that he gets all the messages. But it's all done innocently, and not with some vengeance. Hence, it's tender.
Neeraj: It also indicates how much he values her.
In 1.5, we learn that he's not even the father. He's a foster father. Was that also a factor in his behaviour towards her?
Kay Kay: I just did it in the first season. I had no idea then that he's a foster.
Neeraj: Even I had no idea! Season 1 portrays him as a caring, possessive father. But you see a totally different shift in season 1.5. And then his relationship with the daughter and Gautami's character goes ahead in season 2.
Vinay: It's commendable writing. Him putting a chip in his daughter's phone could also be comic. Hollywood has made a big film, True Lies (1994), about that. But here, there's integrity and grace of a flawed and chipped character like him.
Kay Kay: Every time I read the script of Special Ops, I know Neeraj is going to get the plot right. But I look for these relationships, and what new has come about. That's my concern.
Neeraj, have you ever thought of constructing a spy universe like Yash Raj Films?
Neeraj: No, everybody is doing it. So they don't need my contribution as well. Having said that, Special Ops is a universe in itself.
Kay Kay and Vinay, you first worked together in Bheja Fry 2 (2011). Bheja Fry led to the phenomenon of the multiplex film. Do you think we've lost those mid-budget hits to streaming now?
Vinay: I don't think so. Today, the new, young filmmaker and writer is making a short film every other day. I'm doing a couple of them as well. So I think it's risen compared to then.
Neeraj: You'll see there'll be a huge surge in the next two years towards independent films and the cinema you're referring to.
But is there a space for them in the cinemas? Because Vinay's film Chidiya also took years to release. Kay Kay, you also said that actors like you were reduced to villain roles because films were dominated by stars. Right?
Kay Kay: Yes, in our times, we were reduced to that because we had no option. Because we couldn't enter that system. So a lot of good actors were doing a lot of other things. The only difference is that some of us were stubborn so we survived. A lot of actors more talented us perished. We just remained where we were and tried to do whatever we did as sincerely and honestly as possible. Suddenly, the avenues opened with OTT. Especially, Special Ops was one of my first OTT shows that really opened it for me. So a lot of actors of our tribe are there who get a lot of work in the OTT space. Now, there are various avenues to show your talent, like Instagram Reels. At one point of time, one didn't have the money to even show your girlfriend a movie (laughs). Now, things have changed because there are so many other avenues.
Vinay: Now, who shows a movie to their girlfriend? Come, let me show you a meme (laughs).
Kay Kay, you were a part of Life.. in a Metro. Did you have FOMO you're not in the recently released spiritual sequel Metro… In Dino?
Kay Kay: Like I told you, that's all that I was getting at the time. I was the nasty guy. That's why I kept everything bad for the screen and good for life.
Vinay: And the good thing is we're also evolving. Otherwise I'd keep getting funny parts. Nobody would trust me with a character like the one I play in Special Ops. So, it's a good evolution.
Kay Kay: Also, when I first read the script of Special Ops, I thought I'm just sitting and talking on the phone mostly. But then you realize what you think selfishly as an actor has no consequence if you have a brilliant mind behind it. It's as simple as that. When it started panning out, I was blown away. Throughout the first season, I have a phone in my hand, but what Neeraj is doing with those scenes is just great. That's all writing, nothing else.
Vinay: That's why it's a great example of an ensemble show. For me, it's a story that's ensemble-driven yet very gripping. You don't get lost in there, unlike the films of Rajkumar Kohli where every hero had a song and a heroine. At least we're not there. We're in the real storytelling space, and it's fantastic to be a part of that.
Finally, Neeraj, do you think the audience didn't lap up your romantic film from last year, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, because they perceive you as only a thriller director?
No, I'm not stuck anywhere. A lot of things went wrong with it. People lost interest because of the constant release date shifting. We moved the film thrice. That suggests mistrust on part of the people associated with the film. It send the wrong signal. I'd absolutely chase another romance if there's a story, why not.
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Then I hope you make a love triangle story, and cast Kay Kay, Vinay, and Gautami in it?
Vinay: I'm glad you're getting those ideas, my friend. Live with it.
Kay Kay: Vinay, did you give Neeraj some idea or what? He did this in 1.5, when he made Aftab Shivdasani's wife mine (Laughs).
Vinay: (Laughs) Oh yes, I must have.
Special Ops season 2 will drop on JioHotstar this Friday on July 11.