Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, Nikita Dutta
Director: Kookie Gulati
Platform: Netflix
Rating: ★★★★
A heist thriller is always a promise of tension, intrigue, and unexpected twists. Jewel Thief, Netflix’s latest offering, brings just that, anchored by an engaging performance from Saif Ali Khan and a well-paced narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Directed by Kookie Gulati, this film blends style with substance, offering an exciting ride through the world of crime, deception, and high-stakes drama.
The plot and setting:
Set against a backdrop of high-profile diamonds and the criminal underworld, Jewel Thief follows Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan), a security consultant tasked with safeguarding a royal diamond collection. When the centerpiece of the exhibit mysteriously vanishes, Rehan becomes the prime suspect. The story takes the viewer on a whirlwind journey as Rehan, pursued by Inspector Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor), works to clear his name while navigating a world filled with shady characters, including the calculating Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat), a mafia boss posing as an art collector.
The film doesn’t shy away from its genre roots, offering plenty of suspense and moments that will keep audiences guessing. It’s a story of misdirection, hidden motives, and characters who aren’t what they appear to be – all wrapped up in a stylish, polished package.
Performances:
Saif Ali Khan delivers a standout performance as Rehan Roy. The actor’s ability to oscillate between charming and elusive makes Rehan a compelling central figure. His character is the perfect anti-hero – confident, intelligent, but with a sense of vulnerability that makes you root for him, even when you’re unsure of his true intentions.
Jaideep Ahlawat brings his trademark intensity to the role of Rajan Aulakh, a mafia boss who is as enigmatic as he is dangerous. Ahlawat’s understated performance is key to the film’s success – he doesn’t need to shout to convey menace. His quiet presence makes every scene with him crackle with tension. This understated style of acting contrasts brilliantly with Saif’s more charismatic and elusive portrayal of Rehan.
Kunal Kapoor is also excellent as Inspector Vikram Patel, the determined cop on Rehan’s trail. While his character could have been another one-dimensional lawman, Kapoor gives Vikram depth, making him more than just a predictable obstacle for the protagonist. His calm demeanor and intelligence add a layer of complexity to the investigation, making him a formidable presence without ever overshadowing the main plot.
Nikita Dutta provides a solid performance as Farah, an artist with a murky agenda. She plays the role with just enough mystery to keep her character’s true nature intriguing. Farah isn’t a stereotypical love interest or secondary character; she’s someone who could be an ally or a threat, and Dutta navigates that ambiguity well.
Direction and cinematography:
The director, Gulati, capture the essence of a heist thriller with meticulous attention to detail. The film’s pacing is deliberate, building tension in a way that makes the audience feel the weight of every decision the characters make. The cinematography, by Jishnu Bhattacharjee, enhances the atmosphere with moody lighting and sleek visuals that create a sense of luxury and danger in equal measure. The lavish settings provide the perfect backdrop for a film about wealth, deception, and crime, with each scene adding layers to the overarching tension.
The music:
One notable element is the film’s music, ‘Jadu’ sang by Raghav Chaitanya , which serves as both a compliment and a contrast to the film’s tense atmosphere. A particularly jazzy number, appears during the credits, and while it’s a beautiful track, its placement feels slightly off. Ideally, this song would have added to the mood during one of the pivotal heist sequences, enhancing the suspense rather than arriving at the end, after the tension has already deflated. Still, it’s a testament to the film’s overall aesthetic that the music is as memorable as it is, even if its placement could have been more strategic.
Verdict:
Jewel Thief is a stylish, well-executed heist thriller that does not rely on over-the-top spectacle to engage its audience. With a strong cast led by Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Kunal Kapoor, the film manages to keep viewers invested in the unraveling mystery while delivering memorable moments of tension. While the final act could have benefitted from a slower reveal, the film’s strengths far outweigh this minor flaw.
This is a film for anyone who enjoys their thrillers with a side of sophistication – a polished ride through deception and suspense that leaves you satisfied, even if it leaves you wishing for just a bit more.
