Shalimar

Shalimar

Year: 1978

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Krishna Shah

ActionCrime

Kumar, a thief, poses as Raja Bahadur Singh’s son to attend Sir John Locksley’s island gathering, where guests K.P.W. Iyengar (Romeo), Dr. Dubari, Colonel Columbus and Countess Sylvia Rasmussen are criminals. Sir John seeks a successor and forces them to steal the ruby Shalimar (135 crore rupees) from a guarded vault, promising death for any failure. Kumar’s ruse is uncovered, yet he must join the lethal heist.

Shalimar (1978) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Shalimar (1978) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In an isolated, opulent resort perched on a remote island, a mysterious gathering unfolds beneath a veil of elegance and unease. The host, a charismatic yet enigmatic figure, has summoned a select few to a secluded palace where the lush surroundings mask an undercurrent of competition and suspicion. The atmosphere hums with the promise of a grand, high‑stakes test that will determine who among the guests can be trusted with ultimate responsibility.

Into this crafted tension steps Kumar, a quick‑witted thief on the run who seizes an unexpected invitation and assumes the identity of a noble heir. Donning a Sikh turban and the trappings of aristocracy, he navigates the delicate balance between deception and charm, aware that every glance could expose his true motives. His presence is both a gamble and a catalyst, setting the stage for a complex dance of guile and survival.

Among the assembled are a cadre of colorful outliers: the enigmatic Raja Bahadur Singh, whose fate hangs in the balance; the smooth‑talking lothario K.P.W. Iyengar (Romeo), whose confidence borders on arrogance; the eccentric and scholarly Dr. Dubari, whose curiosity knows no bounds; the stoic and mute Colonel Columbus, whose silence speaks volumes; and the daring acrobat Countess Sylvia Rasmussen, whose flair adds a daring sparkle. Adding a personal note to the intrigue, Sheila Enders, a former love now aligned with the host, watches the proceedings with a mixture of familiarity and professional poise.

Against this tapestry of personalities, the host’s true purpose emerges: a covert challenge that pits the assembled against the formidable task of securing the priceless ruby Shalimar from a heavily guarded vault. The lure of wealth and the promise of succession create a thrilling, suspense‑laden arena where alliances flicker, motives are tested, and each participant must decide how far they are willing to go—all set against the lush, foreboding backdrop of the island’s secluded grandeur.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:58

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Movies with deadly heist games like Shalimar

Criminals are forced into a lethal competition to prove their worth.If you liked the lethal competition in Shalimar, you'll enjoy these movies where characters are forced into elaborate, high-stakes heists. These films feature tense cat-and-mouse games, dangerous tests of skill, and a glamorous yet deadly atmosphere, perfect for fans of suspenseful crime thrillers.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically begin with a group of skilled individuals being assembled or coerced by a powerful figure. They are given an ultimate challenge, often a theft, that serves as a deadly proving ground. The plot unfolds as alliances form and betrayals occur, with the tension deriving from the life-or-death stakes of the game itself, leading to a final victor or a twist that upends the entire contest.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by the shared narrative structure of a forced criminal competition, the high-tension atmosphere of a deadly game, and the focus on elaborate, skill-based set pieces. The mood is consistently suspenseful, deceptive, and dangerous, offering a similar adrenaline-fueled experience.

Undercover agent thrillers with false identities like Shalimar

A protagonist living a false identity within a dangerous criminal world.Fans of Shalimar's twist of Kumar being an undercover officer will enjoy these movies about deep-cover operatives. These stories feature tense undercover missions, complex deceptions, false identities, and the dangerous game of maintaining a cover while navigating a criminal underworld, leading to a climactic reveal.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who assumes a false identity to gather intelligence or achieve a goal from within an enemy group. The journey is a tightrope walk of maintaining their cover while facing tests of loyalty and close calls with discovery. The story often builds towards a major reveal or action sequence where the protagonist's true allegiance is exposed, turning the tables on their adversaries.

Why These Movies?

These films share the central theme of deception through a false identity, creating a pervasive mood of tension and paranoia. They feature a specific character arc of an undercover operative, a cat-and-mouse plot structure, and a pacing that balances steady infiltration with fast-paced action and revelation.

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Shalimar Summary

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Shalimar Summary

Shalimar Timeline

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Shalimar Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Shalimar

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Shalimar

More About Shalimar

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