Year: 1967
Runtime: 186 mins
Language: Hindi
Director: Vijay Anand
Vinay is repeatedly mistaken for a notorious jewel thief who looks just like him. Determined to prove his innocence, he teams up with the police, agreeing to pose as the thief in order to trap the real criminal. The tables turn when the thief masquerades as Vinay, leaving both men’s identities hopelessly tangled in a web of deception.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Jewel Thief (1967), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
A mysterious jewel thief has been looting valuable gems across the country, and the bold, headline-grabbing crimes spark a tense chase that spans cities and loyalties. As the Police Commissioner of Bombay proclaims that the thief is active in his jurisdiction, he also warns that he will resign if the culprit isn’t captured by January 26, setting a hard deadline that tightens the noose around everyone involved.
In the midst of this high-stakes hunt, Vinay—a skilled jeweller who earns his keep with delicate stones and keen eyes—is hired by Vishambhar Nath, a prominent jeweller who values craftsmanship above all. As Vinay works, he grows close to Vishambhar’s daughter, Anjali Nath, and a surprising mix-up at a party throws the entire investigation into confusion. Arjun Singh, a longtime friend of Vishambhar, and his sister Shalini Singh mistake Vinay for Amar, who they believe is engaged to Shalini in an elaborate family ruse. The mistaken identity festers into a real romance between Vinay and Shalini, complicating the police’s suspicion that the elusive jewel thief might be close at hand.
The plot thickens when Vishambhar’s shop is robbed of every jewel stored in a hidden storeroom. The authorities suspect Vinay’s keeping, though the real Vinay is elsewhere with Anjali. Their theory shifts to an impersonator named Amar, while a small-time thief who is caught at the shop reveals information about Amar’s associate, Helen. To cut through the maze of disguises, Vinay agrees to impersonate Amar and infiltrate the gang. He travels to meet Helen, where a web of deceit unfolds and reveals that Amar’s true base lies beyond Bombay in Pune. There, Vinay encounters more members of the gang, including Amar’s wife, and eventually the group makes a swift move to Calcutta to stage another jewel heist.
From Julie (Amar’s ally) to Arjun’s own machinations, the trail widens, and Vinay learns that Amar has left for Gangtok, the Kingdom of Sikkim. In Gangtok, Vinay encounters Neena, a woman who is entangled with the gang and whom Vinay vows to help in exchange for information. Yet Neena’s loyalties are murky, and she orchestrates Vinay’s capture by luring him into a trap at the gang’s safehouse. The gang’s mastermind is finally unmasked: Arjun Singh has woven the entire plan, including a carefully concealed identity for “Amar,” to keep the police off their trail. Vishambhar Nath’s involvement is exposed as part of the elaborate scheme, and Shalini’s role deepens as she had aided in securing her kidnapped brother, [Shishu]—though she herself ends up imprisoned in the same safehouse.
Shalini uncovers secret passages beneath the building and stages a daring rescue of Vinay. The trio—Vinay, Anjali, and Shalini—attempt to escape, but they are recaptured. In a cruel twist, Vinay is subjected to electric shocks intended to wipe his memory, forcing him to accept the invented identity of [Amar] as his own. The gang plans a fake heist of the Sikkimese crown jewels to pin the crime on Amar, hoping the police will shoot him dead and clear the path for their escape. Shalini, who can move unseen in royal circles as a dancer, is to lead the gang’s entry in disguise.
Yet Vinay’s true loyalty shows through: he has been secretly warning the police about the gang’s plan. The scheme collapses as Anjali uncovers her father’s criminal ties and reaches out to the authorities. When the police surround the safehouse, Vinay corners Arjun, who escapes onto a waiting plane. With the bullets removed from Arjun’s weapon by Anjali, the Police Commissioner announces that the entire gang has been arrested—before January 26. As the plane begins its ascent, Anjali guides Vinay to the cabin where Shalini waits with Shishu, and their determined escape unfolds against a backdrop of revealed betrayals, shifting loyalties, and a hunt that finally turns the tide in favor of justice.
Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:09
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