Language: Hindi
Age Rating: UA (Suitable for viewers above 13 years)
Genre: Heist, Thriller
Streaming on: Netflix
A Heist Film with No Thrill or Twist
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins arrives on Netflix with the promise of an adrenaline-fueled, globe-trotting diamond robbery, led by Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat. The film sets up a classic premise: a notorious gangster-businessman, Rajan (Jaideep Ahlawat), coerces master thief Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan) into stealing the legendary Red Sun diamond, using Rehan’s father as leverage. Meanwhile, cop Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor) is forever one step behind, and Rajan’s wife Farrah (Nikita Dutta) is caught in the crossfire of this high-stakes game.
But despite the glitzy set-up, the film quickly reveals itself as a formulaic, uninspired affair, lacking the very elements that make a heist thriller tick: pace, unpredictability, and genuine suspense.
Check Out: Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins: Trailer Review and What to Expect from Netflix’s Upcoming Thriller
Performances: Talent Undone by Weak Writing
Saif Ali Khan brings his trademark swagger and style to the role of Rehan, but even his charm can’t salvage the limp script. Jaideep Ahlawat, usually magnetic, is left grappling with a villainous role that never transcends clichés. Nikita Dutta’s Farrah, written as a distressed wife, is given little to do, and her chemistry with Saif is unconvincing. Kunal Kapoor as the dogged cop is reduced to a series of repetitive chases and grunts, never rising above the generic.
Despite the cast’s best efforts, the characters remain surface-level, and the emotional stakes never feel authentic or compelling.
Direction, Style, and Technical Craft
Directors Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal attempt to inject style with slick visuals, international locales like Budapest and Istanbul, and a glossy production design. However, all the flash can’t mask the lack of substance. The film is riddled with logic-defying plot holes, lazy dialogue, and genre clichés. The twists are predictable, the action sequences lack urgency, and the narrative feels like a patchwork of tired tropes from better heist films.
Even the soundtrack and editing, while polished, can’t compensate for the absence of real tension or innovation.
Strengths and Shortcomings
What Works:
- Stylish Visuals: The film looks polished, with impressive international locations and production values.
- Jaideep Ahlawat’s Presence: He brings some menace to his role, even if the script doesn’t support him.
Where It Falters:
- Clichéd, Predictable Plot: Every twist is telegraphed well in advance, and the story adds nothing new to the genre.
- Lack of Thrill: The film fails to create suspense or excitement, crucial for a heist drama.
- Underwritten Characters: Even talented actors are left stranded by a shallow script.
- Lazy Dialogue and Logic Gaps: The film is filled with implausible moments and uninspired writing.
Final Verdict: ⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is a glossy but hollow addition to the heist genre, squandering its talented cast and promising premise on a script that is both lazy and uninspired. With predictable twists, lackluster execution, and no real sense of thrill, this diamond heist is one you won’t remember—or want to revisit.
Should You Watch It?
Unless you’re a die-hard fan of Saif Ali Khan or Jaideep Ahlawat, you’re better off skipping this one. There’s nothing here worth stealing—not even your time.