Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins Fails to Sparkle Despite Star Power

Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat lead a rushed, emotionless thriller that struggles to deliver suspense or depth.

Netflix’s latest Hindi thriller, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, tries to break genre norms—but ends up falling flat in almost every way. The film revolves around a smooth-talking con man, Rehan Roy (played by Saif Ali Khan), who’s hired by a sinister gangster-turned-tycoon, Rajan (Jaideep Ahlawat), to steal the priceless Red Sun diamond. Rajan manipulates Rehan into the job by using his own father as leverage, ensuring there’s no room for betrayal.

What follows is a high-stakes chase that feels oddly low on thrills. Kunal Kapoor stars as Vikram Patel, a relentless cop who spends years tracking Rehan with no major breakthroughs. Meanwhile, Nikita Dutta plays Farrah—Rajan’s unhappy wife, caught in a cold, loveless marriage, and yearning for freedom.

The film attempts to inject emotional weight with a backstory involving Rehan’s father (played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda), explaining his descent into crime. However, these scenes feel forced and unconvincing. Even a sudden romantic subplot between Rehan and Farrah lacks any buildup or believability.

Though the movie moves at a quick pace, it barely holds attention. Jaideep Ahlawat tries his best to bring menace to his character, succeeding only in parts. Nikita Dutta is underutilized in a role that fails to evoke empathy, while Kunal Kapoor’s portrayal of the lawman feels one-dimensional and reactive.

In the end, Jewel Thief delivers a heist without heart and a thriller without thrills. A mid-credits tease declares, “The Heist continues,” hinting at a sequel—though it’s hard to imagine viewers clamoring for more.

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