Special 26, which had collected around 10.98 crores at the Overseas Box Office after its second weekend, has added some more crores in its kitty. The current total stands at around USD 3 million which is around 16 crores plus at the Overseas Box Office.

Still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

However, the movie is an Average Plus fare at the overseas Box Office.

Special 26 released on Feb 9, and since then is rocking at the Domestic Box Office as well.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

During the week days, Special Chabbis (26) maintained a steady numbers and added more 5 crores in its kitty; taking its 2 weeks domestic total to 62 crores at the Box Office.

The movie is still running at many theaters but Kai Po Che! which has released to mostly positive reviews will give stiff competition to Special Chabbis.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

After making a business of approx 6.23 crores in its opening weekend, Special 26 added more 4.75 crores in its kitty.

Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Special Chabbis (26) now stands at an Overseas total of about 10.98 crores after its 2nd weekend at the Box Office. The numbers are very impressive and gives a reason to celebrate for Neeraj Pandey and the entire cast of this well made movie.

Starring Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpai, Jimmy Shergill and Kajal Aggarwal, Special Chabbis released on Feb 9, and since then is rocking at the Domestic Box Office as well.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

After making 44 crores business in its 1st week, Special Chabbis (26) added approx 3 crores in its kitty on its 2nd Friday. Further, the collections saw a jump of almost 70% on 2nd Saturday and 2nd Sunday. With final figures of Saturday and Sunday coming around 10 crores nett, the movie made a total 2nd weekend business of about 13 crores nett at the Box Office.

Special Chabbis (26) has collected 57 crores nett in 10 Days and is likely to continue making good business in the weekdays as well.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Having made 44 crores business in its 1st week. this Akshay Kumar starrer added more 3 Crores in its kitty on its 2nd Friday. The movie now stands at a domestic box office total to 47 Crores, which is indeed praiseworthy.

Anupam Kher and Akshay Kumar in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

What is more commendable is that inspite of the new releases Murder 3 and Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story, this Neeraj Pandey directorial managed to rake in more money than the Vivek Oberoi starrer.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

The one who is most relieved and happy is director Neeraj Pandey, who had his fingers crossed about the success of his second feature film. His first was the critically acclaimed A Wednesday.

Both of Pandey’s films so far have adapted the thriller format. But he now intends to change tracks. “I actually wanted to start my career with a love story. But then A Wednesday happened, and now Special 26. I may go back to love now. I haven’t decided,” he said.

Special Chabbis Movie Poster

But as of now, a sequel to Special 26, is being given an added push. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures is keen to start the sequel at the earliest, and Akshay too is reportedly willing to dole out the dates.

“I’ve left the ending open. We saw Akshay’s character leave the country with his girl. It would now be interesting to see what happens to him and his colleagues. Let’s see.”

Pandey believes “less was at stake in ‘A Wednesday’ as it didn’t feature any major stars”. “But ‘Special 26′ featured Akshay Kumar and we were anxious to see how audiences react to his character and performance. Fortunately, the audiences have embraced Akshay’s unusual performance. All the actors were my first choices and I was glad that they agreed to be part of this project.”

“Though it took time, I consider myself lucky. The response to the film has been very good,” he added.

Special 26, which also features Kajal Aggarwal and Anupam Kher, released Feb 8.

Special Chabbis (26)

Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

With Special Chabbis (26) turning out to be successful as well, this is Akshay Kumar’s seventh success in eight films that he has done since Patiala House. His only flop during this period has been ‘Joker’.

Himmatwala

Himmatwala Movie Poster

Sajid Khan has started his music promotion of Himmatwala with a bang, what with Naino Mein Sapna ensuring that masses would throng the theatres once the Ajay Devgn-Tamannaah starrer releases.

Meerut Junction

Abhishek Bachchan

Buzz has it that Abhishek Bachchan would be the chosen one for Anand Kumar’s Meerut Junction. The director of Zila Ghaziabad is said to have earlier approached Arjun Kapoor for the role.

Aatma

Aatma Movie Poster

With the promo of Aatma turning out to be an intriguing affair, it seems like director Suparn Verma (Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, Acid Factory) would finally get his due with the Bipasha Basu-Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer.

Busy Bee Deepika!

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is going through the busiest phase of her career as she is currently juggling between shooting of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ram Leela and Chennai Express in different parts of the country.

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns Movie Poster

Mahie Gill’s item number in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns is titled Don’t Touch My Body. The song is set in a Beedi Jalaile [Omkara] mode and also features Saif Ali Khan who does a rustic jig all over again.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

Still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Let’s talk about Special Chabbis (26) first. The film managed very consistent collections right through the weekdays, hence bringing in around 44 crores. The way this Akshay Kumar starrer has sustained pretty much indicates that the film would stay on in theatres for a few more weeks at least. While it is a given that the film would cross the Khiladi 786 collections of around 70 crores, it would be very interesting to see if it crosses the collections of OMG Oh My God! which had collected over 80 crores. If one compares the box office progress of the two films, the first week total of OMG Oh My God! had read 36 crores whereas that number was already crossed by Special Chabbis (26) in five days.

Still from ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Movie

On the other hand ABCD – Any Body Can Dance has turned out to be a good case study of a niche film being picked by the target audience in a very good way. The film collected over 32 crores in its first week, hence turning out to be a clean hit. In the process it has not just surpassed the lifetime collections of Remo D’Souza’s F.A.L.T.U but is also challenging the kind of 1st week total that last year’s success Ishaqzaade had enjoyed. While the Arjun Kapoor-Parineeti Chopra starrer had brought in 25.75 crores in its first week (which has been left behind by ABCD – Any Body Can Dance) and enjoyed lifetime collections of over 45 crores, it would be interested to see if it is surpassed now.

Success of both these films coupled with 100 crores collections of Race 2 a week ago pretty much indicates that audience is willing to step into theatres, provided there is good entertainment in offering.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

With ABCD – Any Body Can Dance doing good business simultaneously, this week indeed proved to be the 1st great week for 2013. Today being the 14th of February, i.e. Valentines Day Special Chabbis (26) might see another spike in collections taking the 1st week collection to about 45 Crores.

The release of Murder 3 and Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story might have some effect the collections of Special Chabbis (26) post this Friday.

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Akshay had held a special screening of the heist drama for Twinkle who was so impressed that she couldn’t help but give a standing ovation to her husband.

Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle Khanna

“It was a first in our 12 years together as a married couple, needless to add, I’m more than just happy about it,” said the actor-producer.

Akshay is glad the film is getting rave reviews from critics as well as audiences.

“As an actor, you always want to do something new and I’m extremely glad that the film is receiving good response. The film deserves every bit of it,” he added.

Akshay Kumar, Divya Dutta and Anupam Kher in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Staying steady at lower levels its seems Special Chabbis (26) is on the way to do another OMG! Oh My God. The first week collections are sure to be greater than expected; Post which there is little chance of new releases, i.e. Murder 3 and Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story to do any major damage to the the box office journey of Special Chabbis (26).

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey-directed Special Chabbis (26), which has garnered positive response, is likely to be remade down South.

“Yes, I have received many calls since Friday. Many people from South have approached me asking for the remake rights,” Pandey, who had earlier won accolades for helming A Wednesday, told IANS.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a Special Chabbis (26) event. Released last week, the film is doing well.

However, the decision about remake rights won’t be taken by Pandey, he said and added: “I don’t know what is the status about it. People on the upper level will take the decision.”

His A Wednesday remade in Tamil as Unnaipol Oruvan and Telugu as Eeenadu.

Special Chabbis (26), based on a real life incident, sees Akshay Kumar as a conman and he clarifies he was not experimenting.

“My intention was not to experiment with different films. I really liked the subject. This is one of the best films among my films. When I was just coming here to meet you all, I met Mithun Chakrobarty and he said he really liked the film and wants to remake it in Bengali.”

The film also featured Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpai, among others.

The movie’s 4 Days Box Office collection is now 30.50 crores nett, which is indeed commendable.

Akshay Kumar in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Here’s how Special Chabbis fared till date:

1^st Friday: 6.50 Crores

1^st Saturday:  8.75 Crores

1^st Sunday: 10.50 Crores

1^st Monday: 4.75 crores

Total: 30.50 Crores

Mukul tweets @mksmukulsharma

Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Special Chabbis (26) collected approx 6.23 crores in its opening weekend at the Overseas Box Office. The collections were about 2.49 crores from USA, 2.13 Crores from UAE and approx 91 lacs from UK. Rest of the countries made an average business.

Also starring Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpai, Jimmy Shergill and Kajal Aggarwal, Special Chabbis released Friday.

Watch this space for more Box Office updates!

MKS tweets @mksmukulsharma

Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

Though to begin with one would have expected the weekend total to be a little more than 25.75 crores that it eventually earned, the fact that it reached this level after a 6.50 crore first day says one thing loud and clear – The film has been accepted, and how! Also, this is more or less in line with the prediction that one had around this Akshay Kumar starrer being way too different from the kind of films that audience is used to seeing him in. It was expected that the film would take an opening of 50%-60% and though the opening day was a little lesser, a massive increase of footfalls over rest of the weekend did the trick.

This also means that this well made film should find good audience for weeks in succession as the word of mouth continues to grow. With an opening weekend of 16.60 crores, OMG Oh My God! had managed collections over 80 crores. Now it has to be seen that with a much bigger opening, what’s the kind of distance that ‘Special 26‘ ends up covering.

On the other hand ABCD- Any Body Can Dance threw in a very pleasant surprise as it opened on a very good note at the box office. With around 18 crores coming in, the film’s collections are much more than what one would have expected a day before the film’s release. Despite seeing a limited release and boasting of a niche subject, this Remo D’Souza film worked really well with the target audience and found some very good footfalls.

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Movie Poster

Though it was predicted that Special Chabbis (26) would have a huge advantage over the film on the opening day, the margin was much lesser to begin with. It is a different story that the Akshay Kumar took the lead in rest of the weekend but at least the opening day was certainly not in line with what was being widely expected. That demonstrates yet again that surprises can be expected when it comes to box office behaviour. Add to that the fact that the end product turned out to be good and entertaining as well further helped the film’s prospects.

If on a day before the release it would have been said that ABCD would do a business of around 18 crores in the entire week, leave aside a weekend, how many would have actually complained? The fact that it made quick moolah should seal the deal for this dance film.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar and Jimmy Shergill in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

Though the movie started on a smaller note than ABCD – Any Body Can Dance it picked up to prove itself a bigger box office grosser than the latter. Sunday might see some even greater numbers.

MKS tweets @mksmukulsharma

Anupam Kher and Akshay Kumar in a still from Special Chabbis (26) Movie

This Neeraj Pandey directorial’s screen count was 1750 screens. The multiplexes response was lower as compared to the single screens here! Saturday and Sunday collections might see a good jump owing to the star cast of the movie.

MKS tweets @mksmukulsharma

Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-a-half stars)

Star cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill, Divya Dutta, Manoj Bajpai, Kajal Aggarwal, Tiku Talsania.

What’s Good: Some dialogues; the jokes; the climax.

What’s Bad: Kajal’s unnecessary role/romance angle; the songs; a few unexplained bits.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: Watch it for the con-jobs, the humour and Akshay-Manoj’s war of wits.

User Rating:

A CBI officer calls a local police officer to assist in the raid of a politician’s residence. The CBI team comb the house and uncover black money worth lakhs hidden in the ceiling, inside a vintage car, under god’s statue etc. The embarrassed politician sits through the entire drama while the officers seal and take away his money. The police are left to hold fort till the team returns.

Except that the team will not return. And there were no CBI officers to begin with!

This is all part of Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar), P. K. Sharma aka Sharmaji (Anupam Kher) and their friends’ con job. They pretend to be CBI/Income Tax officers and raid the houses of politicians and wealthy businessmen. Not only do they steal insane amounts of money with the help of the local police (without having to shell out a part for the cops), none of their grand thefts get reported as the politicians and businessmen do not want to speak about their black money or they have a reputation to worry about. But one cop, Ranveer Singh (Jimmy Shergill), has taken this insult to heart.

After getting suspended with his colleague Shantiji (Divya Dutta), he asks the help of the real CBI officer Wasim Khan (Manoj Bajpai) to help nab these imposters. Now begins the game of cat-and-mouse. While Ajay wants to draw the curtains with a final huge heist, he decides to recruit 26 people in the guise of the CBI to create his Special Chabbis 26. Wasim cannot let a criminal get the better of him.

Who wins?

There’s also a nonsense plot of Ajay’s love interest Priya (Kajal Aggarwal) who’s soon to get married to someone else.

Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher (Special Chabbis (26) Movie Stills)

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Script Analysis

Neeraj Pandey takes a very interesting plot with a game of cat-and-mouse, minus the muscle. It’s a battle of cerebral levels with a determined cop out to catch a super-smart thief. The climax is bound to take you by surprise even though it does have a few loopholes. What the film needed was the cop and the thief to be nipping at each others’ heels than just one final showdown. We are only shown Ajay hijack 2 offices before he decides to throw in the towel. Maybe if the marriage and item number were excluded…

The weakest part of the story is the romantic angle: its forced inclusion is badly written and just as badly enacted. Just like the songs. The dialogues are fun. You can take a few tips from Wasim Khan on asking your boss for a raise! The interview of the candidates is another hilarious part. The characters are not really well developed but are very entertaining.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Star Performances

Akshay Kumar makes a good fake CBI officer. As Ajay Singh, he does seem a bit too haughty at times, but it goes well with his persona. There’s something off about his hairstyle though, that goes from suave to weird-80s in certain parts. Darn, how good can Anupam Kher get! One second he’s strutting into a minister’s house and slapping his secretary, and the other moment he’s red-faced, hunched-shoulders and stuttering nervously. He’s excellent as Sharmaji, no doubt.

Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta are really good as Ranvir Singh and Shantiji but Divya barely get 3-4 lines in the movie. Manoj Bajpai does incredibly well as Wasim Khan and you really want some sort of divine intervention to keep both parties happy. Kajal Aggarwal hams her way through whatever scenes she has as Priya Chavan. Her strange role has her playfully teasing Ajay one moment and sobbing bitterly about her impending marriage to another guy (which she seemed cheerful about just 3 seconds ago) in the next. Tiku Talsania is lovable in his return to the silver screen as a merchant.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Though he makes a good thriller, Neeraj Pandey’s direction leaves a few gaps to be filled. He does well with the chor-police story, managing to keep it away from the Hollywood style sleek ones and keeping this much more grounded. But the first half is a long wait and much of the action and chasing happens after the interval. The badly handled and interjected romance and songs are another stain. Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background music is alright. Ganesh Acharya’s choreography is very ordinary. Music directors M.M. Kareem and Himesh Reshammiya make no effort with the songs either. Bobby Singh’s cinematography is good but the good shots tend to be repeated with Shree Narayan Singh’s editing.

A notable mention is for the sets and art direction which have been done very finely and doesn’t miss a beat of old Bombay of the ‘80s.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: The Last Word

Special 26 is a captivating con-movie with an equally thrilling chase with Akshay Kumar and Manoj Bajpai doing their best chor-police jodi.

Special Chabbis (26) Trailer

Special Chabbis (26) released on 8th February, 2013.

Share with us your experience of watching Special Chabbis (26).

Koimoi lists some films with a similar concept, which are set to release this year.

Shootout At Wadala

Being a sequel of the 2011 film, Shootout At Lokhandwala, Shootout At Wadala too is based on a real life saga of the first ever Mumbai Police encounter of gangster Manya Surve. The shootout had taken place at the Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Wadala in 1982. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the movie stars John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Tusshar Kapoor and Sonu Sood and is set to hit the screens on 1^st of May.

The Attacks Of 26/11

The Attacks Of 26/11, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is based on the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Starring Nana Patekar as Rakesh Maria, Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police and Sanjeev Jaiswal as Ajmal Kasab, the movie will release on 1^st March 2013.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

A biopic of former Indian athlete Milkha Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and stars Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor in the lead roles. Farhan Akhtar had to follow a strict workout regime to build a six-pack for the film. The movie is set to hit the screens on the 12^th of July.

Madras Cafe

John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri for Madras Cafe Movie

Madras Cafe Based on the story of the much talked about assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the movie is a political thriller directed by Shoojit Sircar. The film stars John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri, with Nargis portraying the role of a journalist from UK.

Special Chabbis (26)

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, Special Chabbis (26) is a heist drama film, starring Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpai and Anupam Kher in the lead roles. The story is based on the 1987 infamous robbery that was done by 26 unknown men posed as CBI officers. The incident had taken place at the Opera House branch of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri in Mumbai. The movie will release on 8^th February.

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance and Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

As per early estimates, ABCD has managed to make business of approx 60-65% from multiplexes and single screens as well. On the contrary, Special Chabbis (26) has got collections of around 30-35%. Nonetheless, Special Chabbis (26) has still chances to pick up in the evening shows.

Well, let’s see who’ll win the battle at the Box Office.