Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins review: A sleek, stylish and sassy heist elevated by Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat's effortless charm!

Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, marks the OTT debut of ace Bollywood filmmaker Siddharth Anand as a producer 

Siddharth Anand has been dominating the action genre of Indian cinema for over a decade now and we’re loving it! The smokin’ hot characters, fast-paced editing, adrenaline-pumping action, and exotic locales in his films often ensure a captivating big screen experience and it won’t be an exaggeration to say, elevate the standard of action films in Bollywood. However, when it was announced that the filmmaker is presenting his next venture on OTT and thanks to the popular notion around films that go the small screen way, I felt I needed to keep my expectations in check as far as the scale and content are concerned but thankfully that wasn’t the case with Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins.

The film, though directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, has Siddharth Anand written all over it. A charming protagonist, an equally stylish but menacing antagonist, and a cat-and- mouse chase that travels to different parts of the world, that’s Jewel Thief for you, but wait, there’s a lot more to it that keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout the film.

Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Alhawat) a formidable and cunning mafia boss blackmails Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan) a suave conman, to steal ‘Red Sun’, the most precious diamond of Africa worth Rs. 500 crores which is set to be exhibited in Mumbai’s art gallery amidst some impenetrable security arrangements. What follows next is a gripping heist action that is loaded with style, speed, and suspense that keeps you at the edge of your seat. 

Also Read: Khauf review: A haunting that cuts too close to reality but fumbles in its own voice!

Watch the trailer here!

The film opens with the introduction of Rajan Aulakh, the antagonist who also paints as a hobby. One of his priced possessions is set to be auctioned off. However, he remains calm and cool about it, maintaining the poise and sophistication of ‘Mr. Aulakh’. The audience is then met with a thrilling surprise when ‘Ranjan bhai’ makes his grand entry as he mercilessly kills one of his allies, who he holds responsible for his loss. The plot then travels to Budapest where our hero, Rehan Roy, is shown living his best life. Rehan is extremely charming and the small glimpse of his smooth lies and impeccable ‘Haath ki safai’, set the tone for this film extremely well, giving the audience a fair idea of the drama and thrill one can expect when these two wicked geniuses join forces for a heist while also trying to get the better of each other.

The film is a labyrinth of deception, betrayals, and intricate layers that keep you hooked and thanks to the crisp editing, the story rarely has a dull moment and manages to keep you on edge, despite having a good number of emotionally charged scenes as well. One has to give it to the writers and directors for blending classic Bollywood heist tropes with a contemporary, high-octane narrative that ensures the film remains unpredictable and yet uncomplicated. Jewel Thief is high on production value. The sleek cinematography, vibrant set pieces, and international locations take the movie-watching experience a notch higher and make you constantly question the makers' decision to settle for an OTT release when it had all the elements of being a big-screen blockbuster. 

Saif Ali Khan shines as Rehan, exuding the charisma and sharp-witted charm that serves as a reminder of his ‘Race’ character and is a treat to watch. His lean physique and a confident demeanor too enhance his on-screen presence. Jaideep Ahlawat’s intense and measured portrayal of Rajan steals the show with a menacing edge. The duo’s chemistry is brilliant and the scenes where they are trying to out-wit each other are some of the high points of the film. Kunal Kapoor as Vikram Patel, a police cop determined to chase down Rehan, and Nikita Dutta as Farah, Rehan’s romantic interest, provide strong support and add depth to the ensemble. Their roles are brief but laced with impactful moments that add to the efficacy of the film. Overall, this film is a complete package that keeps you hooked till the very end courtesy of its layered story, unpredictable characters, high octane heist and brilliant performances.

Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is now streaming on Netflix

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