'Special Ops 2' made me feel seen: Karan Tacker on horror, Kay Kay Menon, and chemistry | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Fresh off the simultaneous release of two career-defining projects, ‘Special Ops Season 2’ and the poignant feature film ‘Tanvi The Great’, actor Karan Tacker is riding a high that’s both exhilarating and humbling.

In this candid conversation with Mathrubhumi English, the actor opens up about working with the ever-meticulous Neeraj Pandey, building invisible chemistry with Kay Kay Menon, his nervous excitement about headlining the upcoming paranormal thriller ‘Bhay- A Gaurav Tiwari Mystery’’, and why, despite the success, he still doesn’t feel like he’s “arrived.”

From television heartthrob to an actor carving a niche in premium storytelling, Karan speaks with honesty, gratitude, and a refreshing lack of pretense. Read excerpts:

Q: With all the praise coming in for Special Ops 2, how are you processing the love it’s receiving?

It’s honestly a really welcome feeling. Just today, our team from ‘Special Ops' was compiling a video to thank the fans and audience. Season 2 usually comes with a lot of expectations, and when you manage to meet those, it feels like a battle won. Now we can all just take a sigh of relief.

Every time I open Instagram, my inbox is flooded with messages, and I'm loving sharing all the BTS moments too. It’s great to let people in on how we actually make the show.

Q: But there was one thing fans were upset about—the show was delayed by a week. Did you get any messages or backlash from fans about that?

Oh, I was getting abuses in every language possible! But weirdly, that made me feel good—it just showed how eager people were to watch it. The delay was due to an unforeseen situation, and we didn’t want to play with the sequence. But in hindsight, it all worked out, and the love we received speaks for itself.

Q: What was it like working with Neeraj Pandey again, especially since this genre—spy thrillers—is his forte?

Working with him feels like being at home. This is my third project with him and the company. Being directed by him, or doing a show written by him, is always a solid experience because he's so clear about his vision. That gives you a lot of clarity as an actor. When the captain of the ship knows exactly what he wants, it instills a lot of faith in you. I love the no-nonsense vibe on his sets—you come, you work, and you go home. I really enjoy that.

Q: One of the standout aspects of Special Ops is the mentor-protégé equation between Himmat and Farooq, but surprisingly, you and Kay Kay Menon have only shared one scene in person. How did you both develop that kind of chemistry remotely—especially when most of your scenes are over calls?

That’s so true—even when I watch the show, I’m amazed at how strong that emotional chord is, especially given that Kay Kay sir (Kay Kay Menon) and I barely share screen time. We only had one actual scene together—in season one. But the mentor-protégé dynamic is very well captured, and credit goes to the writing and direction. Both Neeraj sir and Shivam Nair knew exactly what they wanted from that relationship, and we just followed what was on paper. Ironically, Kay Kay sir and I haven’t even met properly apart from that one scene. We always joke about how the characters need to come face-to-face someday!

Q: From Special Ops 1 to Special Ops 2, how do you think you've evolved as an actor?

I’d like to believe I’ve become more evolved. That’s the goal, right? As a person and as an artist. The more time you spend in front of the camera, the more refined your craft becomes. It’s like any other art—the more you practice, the better your finesse. I feel like I’m on a long journey, but the great work and scripts I’ve gotten allow me to think more as an artist and breathe more as an actor. Hopefully, the audience sees that growth too.

Q: You've played both a spy and a cop. Which role did you enjoy more?

Honestly, I enjoy all characters. I know that sounds diplomatic, but for me, it’s never about the uniform—it’s about the human story behind the character. Whether it's Farooq the RAW agent or Amit Lodha the cop in ‘Khakee - The Bihar Chapter’, they both had their own arcs and challenges. It’s hard to pick one over the other.

Q: You had two big projects released on the same day - ‘Special Ops' and ‘Tanvi The Great’. What moments from those releases have stayed with you?

It was nerve-wracking because that had never happened to me before. I was at the premiere of ‘Tanvi The Great' and knew that by midnight, ‘Special Ops' would drop on JioHotstar. I didn’t sleep till 5 AM. I even made a video telling fans that both were out and to watch them. Looking back, I’m just filled with gratitude. The entertainment industry is going through a lot, so just having my work out there is a blessing. And the love I’ve received has been overwhelming.

Q: You started in television and became a household name. Looking back, do you feel like you've "made it"? Or are you still chasing that feeling?

Honestly, I never feel like I’ve "made it"—that’s just not my mindset. I don’t want to feel like I’ve arrived because it keeps me grounded and working hard. This industry can make you complacent if you think you’ve arrived. I still reach out to people I want to work with. I’m happy to audition. There have been milestones in my career, yes, but the dream is much larger, so it’s too soon to say I’ve made it.

Q: What was the turning point for you post-TV? Was it ‘Special Ops’, ‘Khakee’, or something else?

Different projects changed things in different ways. ‘Special Ops’ was a big milestone—it helped me transition into premium, artistically rich content. Then Neeraj sir trusted me to headline a show like ‘Khakee’, which was a big game-changer. It's hard to pick one, because I feel like I’ve been taking baby steps. Each push feels like a milestone, especially as an outsider in the industry. And now, I’m really hoping 'Bhay' becomes that next big step.

Q: Speaking of 'Bhay', it’s a paranormal thriller. How did the show come to you, and what intrigued you about it?

The platform reached out to me with the material. At first, I was very apprehensive—I’m a big phattu when it comes to horror. But the story is based on a real person, Gaurav Tiwari, who came to Mumbai to become an actor, became a pilot, and eventually became a paranormal investigator. That shift in career, especially coming from an educated and affluent background, fascinated me. He even died a mysterious death after eight years in the field. That story was too intriguing to pass up. We went back and forth on the script and finally came to a version we felt was worth telling.

Q: Have you ever experienced anything paranormal yourself? Or even something just creepy or strange?

There’ve been a few things over time, but I feel like those are better to talk about when the show releases!

Q: You’re also working with Kalki Kanmani in 'Bhay'. How was that experience?

Actually, Kalki and I don’t really share scenes in the show—but it’s too soon to say why. She’s an amazing talent, and we were thrilled to have her on board. I really want people to see this new side of her—it’s very different from what she’s done before.

Q: Apart from 'Bhay', what else can we expect from you?

'Bhay' is my slate for 2025. I’m working on a few things, but it’s too soon to talk about them because nothing has been finalized. But 2026 is looking exciting—I’m really looking forward to it.

Q: Lastly, will there be a third season of ‘Special Ops’?

That’s for the makers to answer. As much as I’d love for there to be one, it’s not in my hands. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Pandey is already cooking something up and just hasn’t told us yet!