Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
A Heist Without the Thrill
Jewel Thief: A Heist Begins—a title shamelessly borrowed from the 1967 Dev Anand classic—promises high-stakes robbery, suave criminals, and edge-of-the-seat drama. Instead, it delivers a tedious, cliché-ridden snoozefest that even Saif Ali Khan’s charm and Jaideep Ahlawat’s intensity can’t salvage.
What’s the Plot? (If You Can Call It That)
Saif plays Rehan Roy, a smug, diamond-loving thief who spouts cringe-worthy one-liners (“Churayenge red sun in the gagan“—really?). Opposite him is Jaideep’s Rajan Aulakh, a ruthless mobster who crushes skulls when he’s not collecting art. Their face-off over a legendary diamond should’ve been electric. Instead, it’s as thrilling as watching paint dry.
The film’s “twists” are so predictable, you’ll guess them before the characters do. There’s a forgettable subplot involving:
✔ A generically angry Istanbul crime lord (Dorendra Singh Loitongbam)
✔ A wasted Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Saif’s disapproving father
✔ Nikita Dutta as the obligatory love interest with zero agency
✔ Kunal Kapoor as a cop who might as well be invisible
Why Does It Fail?
❌ Lazy Writing – Recycled tropes, zero originality.
❌ Wasted Cast – Saif sleepwalks through his role, Jaideep tries too hard, and everyone else is wallpaper.
❌ No Tension – A heist movie with no suspense is like a burger with no patty.
❌ Cringe Dialogue – Lines like “Aapne mujhe samjha nahin” belong in a parody, not a thriller.
The Only Bright Spot?
Jaideep Ahlawat’s wardrobe. His sharp suits and golden highlights are the film’s sole sparkle.
Final Verdict
Jewel Thief isn’t just bad—it’s lazy bad. A heist film should leave you breathless; this one leaves you checking your watch. Skip it.