Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jaideep Ahlawat, Chunky Pandey
Director: Saurabh Varma
Genre: Crime Thriller / Heist
Runtime: 2 hours 12 minutes
Language: Hindi
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
Introduction
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins is a sleek, fast-paced crime thriller that marks Saif Ali Khan’s return to his suave, grey-shaded avatar—something we last loved in Ek Hasina Thi or Race. This film tries to blend old-school Bollywood heist flavor with modern execution, gritty realism, and international-style storytelling. Directed by Saurabh Varma, the film revolves around a massive diamond theft, betrayal, and the fine line between law and crime.
While it borrows elements from global heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven and Inside Man, Jewel Thief stands on its own with an Indian soul and emotional depth. Let’s break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your time.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Set in contemporary Mumbai, the film opens with the arrival of a rare diamond—The Eye of Noor—being displayed under high security at a luxury exhibition. This is no ordinary diamond—it carries royal history, political value, and more importantly, money. This sets the stage for India’s most ambitious heist.
Enter Armaan Malhotra (Saif Ali Khan), a charismatic but mysterious man with a criminal past and a mind built for precision. Once a government asset turned fugitive, Armaan is back to pull off one final, career-defining job.
He assembles a team of specialists:
- Zoya (Sobhita Dhulipala) – a tech genius with secrets of her own
- Kabir (Jaideep Ahlawat) – an ex-RAW agent with violent instincts
- D’Costa (Chunky Pandey) – a black market fence funding the operation
As the team prepares for the high-stakes robbery, the film jumps between planning, execution, and a twist-filled aftermath. Add to this a determined police officer closing in, and the line between friend and foe keeps shifting. Nothing is as it seems.
Performances
Saif Ali Khan as Armaan Malhotra
Saif slips into the role with ease. He’s charming, calculated, and cold when needed. This is vintage Saif in his element—neither fully good nor completely bad. His scenes carry tension, and his sharp dialogue delivery adds class. Unlike in Race, where he was flashy, here he’s minimal and intense.
Sobhita Dhulipala as Zoya
Sobhita shines in an underplayed yet important role. She’s the film’s emotional anchor and brings grace and brains to her character. Her chemistry with Saif is subtle but effective, especially in scenes where unspoken emotions surface.
Jaideep Ahlawat
Jaideep steals several scenes as the unhinged ex-agent with a mysterious grudge. His performance brings a raw, unpredictable energy that keeps you on edge. He plays a man torn between loyalty and revenge.
Chunky Pandey
Surprisingly effective as a greedy, ruthless fixer. He’s more controlled here than usual, showing he can do serious roles well.
Direction & Screenplay
Director Saurabh Varma keeps the narrative tight for most of the film. The heist planning scenes are enjoyable, full of quick cuts, tech jargon, and clever banter. The actual robbery sequence is shot with tension and minimal background noise, allowing the audience to stay glued to every movement.
The screenplay has multiple timelines (past and present), which may confuse some viewers initially, but the second half ties it all together with clarity. The twists are smart—especially the last 30 minutes, which flips the narrative.
The dialogues are crisp and don’t over-explain. Thankfully, it avoids unnecessary romantic songs or filler drama.
Cinematography & Music
The film is visually slick. Cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran captures Mumbai’s luxury hotels, vault interiors, and night sequences beautifully. The laser vault and high-speed getaway scenes are especially well-framed.
The background score by Clinton Cerejo supports the tension without being overwhelming. There’s only one promotional track during the credits and a haunting melody that recurs during emotional flashbacks. It’s a relief the movie doesn’t rely on typical item numbers or crowd-pleasers.
What Works Well
- Saif’s screen presence and controlled performance
- Fast-paced screenplay with effective heist setup
- Tense, well-directed robbery sequence
- Twists that actually surprise the viewer
- Strong supporting cast that adds real weight
What Could Be Better
- Some emotional arcs feel underdeveloped, especially between Saif and Sobhita’s characters
- The second half briefly drags during the police investigation subplot
- The villain reveal could have been more powerful—it feels a bit rushed
- It lacks the wow factor of truly legendary heist thrillers
Final Verdict
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins is a solid, stylish return to the crime thriller genre for Bollywood. It doesn’t redefine the genre, but it definitely entertains, especially if you’re a fan of intelligent thrillers without excessive action. Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his better recent performances, and the film is helped by strong writing, a taut runtime, and a genuinely engaging heist.
It’s not perfect, but it’s well worth watching—especially in a theater or on OTT for its visual appeal.
Best Movie Review Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
Verdict: A gripping, classy heist thriller with brains, style, and just enough punch to steal your attention.