Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta & Kunal Kapoor Director: Kookie Gulati & Robbie Grewal

Rating: **

Siddharth Anand's latest production, Jewel Thief, promises thrills, twists, and action—but delivers very little beyond surface-level shine. While the film might masquerade as a slick heist thriller, it’s more of a time thief, stealing two hours without offering much in return. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, and produced under Anand’s banner, the film fails to rise above clichés and predictable tropes, leaving audiences with a forgettable experience.

A Familiar Plot Wrapped in Predictability

At its core, Jewel Thief revolves around Rehan Roy (played by Saif Ali Khan), a skilled individual forced into pulling off a high-profile heist by the ruthless Rajan Aulakh (played by Jaideep Ahlawat). The premise sounds enticing, but unfortunately, the film quickly devolves into a routine narrative that offers no real surprises.

Despite the genre's potential for edge-of-the-seat tension, the film lacks genuine thrills or suspense. It leans heavily on genre conventions, ticking off every expected trope: elaborate chase scenes, glamour-infused heroines, emotional backstories, and an obligatory final twist. But these elements feel more like a checklist than carefully woven parts of a compelling story.

Bollywood’s Heist Formula: Reused, Not Refined

There appears to be a growing trend in Hindi cinema’s approach to heist films. The formula is now frustratingly familiar:

✔️ High-speed chases

✔️ Glamour and wardrobe-driven female leads

✔️ Predictable twist to undermine the villain

✔️ Emotionally engineered family drama

In Jewel Thief, the filmmakers try too hard to create an emotional layer by introducing a strained father-son relationship—featuring Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Saif's father. The film explores Rehan’s transformation into a thief through this backstory, but the emotional arc fails to resonate. The sentiment feels forced, and the transitions in character motivations are jarring rather than heartfelt.

Performances Undermined by Poor Writing

Saif Ali Khan, known for his effortless charm and stylish roles, appears disconnected from the character of Rehan. Rather than coming off as a cool, calculated criminal, his performance feels disengaged—more like a paycheck gig than a passion project.

Jaideep Ahlawat, however, brings some much-needed intensity. His portrayal of Rajan Aulakh tries to inject menace and stakes into the film. While not groundbreaking, he manages to lend some credibility to an otherwise hollow villain.

Nikita Dutta, cast as Farah—Rajan’s wife and Rehan’s eventual love interest—struggles with a poorly written role. Her character is never fully developed, and her emotional arc lacks weight. What should be a complex, tension-filled dynamic ends up feeling contrived and underwhelming.

Kunal Kapoor, playing the law enforcer in pursuit of the thieves, gets little more to do than stay perpetually one step behind. His role is reduced to grunts and grimaces, wasting his talent in a paper-thin character.

Direction, Style, and Pacing: A Mixed Bag

While the film’s pacing is relatively quick, it doesn’t translate into engagement. The scenes lack urgency and emotional investment, making the film feel more like a blur than a rollercoaster.

The visual aesthetic and slick production design do lend a certain polish. But sleek visuals alone cannot save a film with underdeveloped characters, predictable twists, and superficial storytelling.

Even as the credits roll, Jewel Thief dares to tease a sequel with the message “The Heist continues.” Instead of building anticipation, it leaves viewers wondering what exactly warrants a continuation of a story that never really took off.

Final Verdict: Style Over Substance

Jewel Thief is an example of a film that had the ingredients to be an exciting action-packed heist drama, but fell short due to weak execution, uninspired storytelling, and lack of originality. While the genre thrives on clever plotting and high-stakes drama, this film offers neither.

If you’re a fan of gripping heists, unexpected turns, and smart storytelling, Jewel Thief may not be the treasure you're looking for. The only thing it successfully robs is your time.