Jewel Thief — The Heist Begins synopsis:

In a realm where allure serves as a weapon and treachery is present at every turn, skilled burglar Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan) aims for the rare African Red Sun gemstone. Passion, risk, and aspiration intersect as investigator Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor) approaches and mafia leader Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat) follows his own motives. With Farah (Nikita Dutta) ensnared in both romance and the robbery, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins reveals an exhilarating pursuit where the stakes are elevated and fairness is absent.

Jewel Thief — The Heist Begins review:

Saif Ali Khan is an actor whose performances always appear to be worth the anticipation, due to his versatility and ability to adapt to any role assigned. In recent years, the actor has been missing from Bollywood, trying out roles alongside Telugu actors in films like Devara: Part 1 (2024) and Adipurush (2023). People raised questions about his decisions and were eagerly looking forward to his next step to bring the fascinating Saif Ali Khan back to the big screen. Here is the thrilling update! The original and sharp actor we have been waiting for is grabbing the spotlight, as well as appearing in the newest Netflix original, Jewel Thief: The Heist. Accompanying him is another actor who has infused style and discarded plainness, Jaideep Ahlawat.

Based on the posters and trailers, the film produced by Siddharth Anand and directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal appears appealing for those seeking a respite from the constant reiteration of patriotism. Nevertheless, the most reliable choice for such films is OTT, and that’s precisely where Jewel Thief has gone.

To start with, the film introduces Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat), a suave antagonist posing as a rich art collector. He cleverly pilfers priceless paintings and jewels, selling them to mercenaries while growing increasingly wealthy and dangerous. You're familiar with the routine!

Before long, he learns about a rare Red Sun jewel from Africa that will be temporarily exhibited at a museum in Africa. Certainly, this moment brings to mind the scene in Dhoom: 2 in which Hrithik Roshan travels to Mumbai just to steal a diamond. Anyway, heists consistently revolve around valuable items that thieves collect for personal gain or resell to build their reputation.

Returning to Jewel Thief, Aulakh desperately wants the jewel for himself, and the only person he trusts to steal it is none other than Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan)! If only this could’ve served as the storyline for Race 4. Well, it’s quite akin to the well-known franchise led by Saif, where revenge and heists are merely common elements.

The heist starts, taking you on a journey while also trying to catch you off guard. Screenwriter Sumit Arora, recognized for his contributions to Jawan, The Family Man, and other works, seeks to weave in surprising twists and turns into this narrative. However, as we delve deeper into the Jewel Thief, we become more familiar with the escape route, likely even more so than the antagonist Aulakh.

The film stumbles when it presents a villain who is so formidable and unrepentant that he even shoots his pet dog for accepting treats from another person. Nevertheless, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Aulakh isn't so clever that anyone can't outwit him.

Yet if the character development lags for Ahlawat, for Khan it only improves— not because his character does anything revolutionary, but due to the actor sustaining the sweet spot where his charm is vibrant, and that too after quite a long time.

Honestly, that's where the film became thoroughly enjoyable; having Khan showcase his antics like that has been absent for too long, and no director seems to want him to revive the quirks he's renowned for. So it didn't bother me that he is stealing some Red Sun, similar to how he deceived John Abraham's character in Race 2 by pretending to heist the Shroud of Turin. It still makes me chuckle even at the thought of it.

Fortunately, it's not a laughable issue here, because Arora merges family man Saif with rogue Saif to infuse some empathy into his role. Consequently, a thief who enjoys stealing jewels simply to avoid poverty acquires a greater purpose when it’s time to steal the Red Sun.

However, it doesn't encourage you to switch off your brain and enjoy it as they intend. In that aspect, it was somewhat effective, but I still experienced "tch" moments while viewing the film, reminding me that my mind isn't prepared to accept so much nonsense as it rightfully deserves.

The film makes a deliberate attempt to invoke emotional depth through the inclusion of a few songs and the continual revelation of Saif's character's background. However, it's a well-established fact that a heist film does not inherently need to be a revenge story, and certainly not to a degree that it fails to bring forth a single tear or even a flinch. Indeed, none of these situations took place in this film!

Why would anyone opt for a romantic angle, particularly one that involves betrayal? Why is it so expected? Where is the element of surprise? The limit is limitless, so let's not even attempt to reach there. Having two directors, Gulati and Grewal, complicated a film that already had its restrictions on a script level. Therefore, the heist story it strives for is not realized by two perspectives.

Additionally, the film is quite derivative and uninspired— not from Hollywood but from local heist thrillers alone. Kunal Kapoor's (watch White Shirt) character Vikram Patel bears a resemblance to Abhishek Bachchan's portrayal of the cop Jai Dixit in the Dhoom series. The actor frequently asserts that a thief can only be caught in the act of stealing. Bachchan reinforces this notion, and Kapoor follows suit. It’s almost as if he hopes the thief gets away, thinking that catching him next time would be simple. As a police officer, he is the last to be informed about the thief's location, even when the latter tells him. SMH!

In terms of performance, I truly enjoyed watching Saif, who dominated everything on screen whenever he appeared. Such power is his strong suit, and no one can perform it better than he can; I believe the actor is even conscious of that and showcases it effectively during his performance.

While Ahlawat is always a pleasure to watch, his character was lacking in the required antagonism, primarily due to his physical presence and certain scenes. The actor always merits better and should be a scene-stealer, although he fell a bit short in this film.

Nikita Dutta (watch Ek Duje Ke Vaaste) serves as the female lead in the film and, regrettably, acts as a mere token female presence to add glam and sparkle. To be frank, both male leads fulfilled that role, and Dutta didn’t even act as a catalyst. Not every film needs to convey "something is better than nothing" while neglecting the talent of the cast.

Jewel Thief is nothing but a missed opportunity that doesn't steal anything valuable, if not your time!

Jewel Thief — The Heist Begins verdict:

Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins possessed all the elements—celebrity appeal, stylish visuals, and a concept perfect for trouble—but ultimately falters under its own design.

Read Also: Thudarum Review: A Masterful Thriller That Lets Mohanlal Showcase His Versatile Talent

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!