Bollywood has produced several notable heist movies over the years, blending elements of action, suspense, and clever plotting with the unique flavor of Indian cinema. Here are some standout Bollywood heist films:
1. Dhoom Series (2004, 2006, 2013)
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham (Dhoom 1), Hrithik Roshan (Dhoom 2), Aamir Khan (Dhoom 3)
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi (Dhoom 1, 2), Vijay Krishna Acharya (Dhoom 3)
Plot: The Dhoom series revolves around daring heists and high-speed chases, with charismatic thieves outsmarting the cops. Each film showcases a new antagonist leading increasingly elaborate robberies.
Why Watch: High-octane action, stylish villains, and iconic bike chase sequences make this series a favorite among Bollywood heist films.
2. Special 26 (2013)
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Kajal Aggarwal
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Plot: Based on real events, a group of con artists posing as CBI officers conducts a series of raids on corrupt politicians and businessmen, stealing millions in the process.
Why Watch: Smartly written with intense performances, Special 26* offers a blend of suspense and social commentary, making it one of Bollywood’s best heist films.
3.Don Series (2006, 2011)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Om Puri
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Plot: Â A remake of the 1978 classic, Don follows a criminal mastermind who manipulates those around him while being pursued by law enforcement across the globe. Both parts revolve around intricate heists and escape plans.
Why Watch: Shah Rukh Khan’s suave portrayal of Don, along with gripping action and plot twists, keeps the audience on edge.
4. Happy New Year (2014)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood
Director: Farah Khan
Plot: A team of misfits joins a dance competition in Dubai as a cover for their plan to steal diamonds from a high-security vault.
Why Watch: Packed with entertainment, humor, and dance numbers, Happy New Year combines the heist genre with Bollywood’s trademark masala style.
5. Aankhen (2002)
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen, Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal
Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Plot: A disgruntled bank manager trains three blind men to execute an ambitious bank robbery, relying on their heightened senses.
Why Watch: The unique concept of a heist involving blind men, along with solid performances, makes *Aankhen* an engaging thriller.
6. Players (2012)
Cast: Â Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Neil Nitin Mukesh
Director: Â Abbas-Mustan
Plot: A team of expert thieves plans to steal a train loaded with gold traveling through Russia. However, betrayal within the group leads to unexpected twists.
Why Watch: Inspired by The Italian Job, Players offers sleek heists with lavish international locations.
7. Cash (2007)
Cast: Â Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Zayed Khan, Esha Deol, Shamita Shetty
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Plot: A group of con artists attempts to steal diamonds from an impenetrable vault in South Africa.
Why Watch: Though it received mixed reviews, Cash features thrilling action sequences and creative heist setups.
8.Badmaash Company (2010)
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Meiyang Chang, Vir Das
Director: Parmeet Sethi
Plot: Â A group of young friends resorts to smuggling to make quick money, executing clever schemes to outwit the authorities and rise in wealth.
Why Watch: It’s a fun and fast-paced take on small-time heists with a focus on friendship and ambition.
These films showcase Bollywood’s flair for storytelling, combining thrilling heists with larger-than-life action, humor, and emotions. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced action or comedic heist scenarios, Bollywood has a range of offerings for fans of the genre.
