The story of Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, as the title suggests, revolves around a diamond heist. However, the plot might feel somewhat commonplace unless it offers fresh twists or compelling elements.
Jewel Thief Review: Netflix's Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins centers around a diamond robbery. The film is based on a simple story, seemingly entangled only in the plot of the theft and the ensuing struggles. The film stars Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Nikita Dutta in lead roles. But does the film live up to its title and cast? Does it add any new excitement to the straightforward heist story? Let's delve into this film review.
Plot: Thin Narrative, but Strong Acting
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins attempts to add a new twist to a simple diamond theft story, but in many aspects, it falls short of expectations. The film's plot is set in Mumbai, where gangster and businessman Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat) plans to steal a valuable diamond.
This diamond is being brought to Mumbai from South Africa for an exhibition, and Rajan calls upon his old partner, Rehaan Rai (Saif Ali Khan), to execute the heist. Rehaan, now residing in Budapest, is compelled to participate in the robbery due to a tragic incident involving his father. For him, it becomes not just a deal, but a matter of personal revenge.
Rajan's burgeoning closeness with his wife, Farah (Nikita Dutta), forms a crucial turning point, adding another layer of intrigue. The film's main draw should have been the heist sequences and the twists and turns, but both aspects feel lacking. The narrative misses a certain connection and excitement that viewers typically expect from such films.
Acting: Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat
Both Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat are b actors, but their roles in this film feel underwhelming. Saif Ali Khan portrays Rehaan, a clever and cunning thief who presents himself as a courageous and intelligent individual, but his performance lacks impact. There's a sense that Saif is merely recreating characters from his previous films, preventing him from establishing a new identity in this role.
Jaideep Ahlawat plays the gangster Rajan, emerging as a fearsome figure. While his acting is good, the film's script and the depth of his character prevent him from being fully impactful. Jaideep's character could have been far more powerful in another film, but here, he appears somewhat subdued.
Nikita Dutta's character, Farah, is glamorous and attractive. She does justice to her role, and her presence in the film is significant. Her acting and personality bring a freshness to the film, though even she fails to leave a truly memorable impression.
Dialogues and Direction
The direction by Kookie Gulati and Rabi Grewal is one of the film's major shortcomings. Where a heist film needs freshness, excitement, and novelty, everything in this film unfolds in a predictable and conventional manner. The dialogues are dull and ineffective, failing to propel the film forward at a brisk pace. The action and heist sequences also feel more like a gentle ripple than a powerful current.
The film attempts to depict the cat-and-mouse game between the police and the thieves, but even this fails to achieve a thrilling level. The character of police officer Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor) lacks depth and dynamism, appearing merely as a stereotypical police officer. This is also true for the other characters, who feel noticeably lacking in vibrancy.
Music and Conclusion: Lacking Impact
The film's music is also very ordinary and fails to connect with the story or the characters' emotions. The songs and background music have little impact, failing to elevate the film's exciting moments. Furthermore, the film hints at a sequel in its ending, but it would have been better if the film had concluded completely, leaving no sense of incompleteness.
Final Verdict: Watch or Skip?
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins raises higher expectations than it ultimately delivers. The plot is simple and based on a tired formula, lacking both novelty and depth in its dialogues.
Even actors like Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat fail to fully inhabit their roles. The direction and music are also weak, negatively impacting the overall narrative.
If you're hoping for a fresh twist on the old cop-and-robber story, this film isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a lighthearted film without high expectations, you can watch it, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.
