Shalimar

On the run from the police, S. S. Kumar stumbles upon a private invitation addressed to Raja Bahadur Singh for a gathering on the island of Sir John Locksley. He witnesses the Raja being shot and quickly seizes the invitation, recognizing its potential as a ticket out of danger. He then hauls the injured man to a hospital and begins planning his disguise. This sets the stage for him to slip into the exclusive event as Bahadur Singh, Jr.

Kumar disguises himself by wearing a Sikh turban and pretends to be Bahadur Singh, Jr., gaining entry to Sir John's exclusive gathering. He moves into the palace with the other invitees and starts sizing up the room. Inside, he encounters the motley group of criminals gathered for the test, including the mute Colonel Columbus and the others. His disguise is convincing to some, but not to all.

Kumar's disguise does not fool everyone, especially Sheila Enders, his former sweetheart and fiancée who now works for Sir John. She watches him closely and quickly realizes something is off about the newcomer. The tension between past lovers adds personal stakes to the deadly game. The party proceeds as the others begin their own schemes to steal the Shalimar.

The real Bahadur Singh Jr arrives at his father’s hospital bedside, creating an unexpected complication. Sir John evaluates Kumar’s amateur status and decides to let him stay among the invitees, believing that his background aligns with the other criminals. This decision keeps Kumar in the running for the test while the others are drawn into the deadly scheme. The stage is set for the actual test of theft and cunning.

Sir John reveals the core of his plan: find a worthy successor among the criminals to inherit his empire, and test them by orchestrating a theft of the Shalimar diamond. The diamond sits in a secure, alarmed room guarded by armed men and surrounded by a minefield, a setup that guarantees death for anyone who fails. The revelation reframes the gathering as a dangerous competition rather than a social affair. The stakes could not be higher.

Colonel Columbus makes the first move on the Shalimar and dies in the attempt. The other criminals witness the gruesome outcome and the rumor that Columbus screamed before dying spreads through the hall. The murder demonstrates how lethal the security system is and raises the tension in the room. It also signals that this test will be deadlier than anyone expected.

Countess Sylvia Rasmussen attempts to steal the gem but is killed in the process. The room grows tenser as more lives are lost, and the others realize the danger of crossing Sir John’s protections. The motive becomes clear: the diamond is worth enormous sums, and the minefield is designed to kill anyone who tries to take it. Trust among the invitees erodes rapidly.

Dr. Dubari is shown dying during the attempt, but it is later revealed that he survived the encounter. The flip in his fate adds a twist to the death toll and keeps the room guessing about who will live to the end. The other criminals press on, trying to outmaneuver one another amid the danger. Mystery surrounds the true fates of the participants.

K. P. W. Iyengar, known as Romeo, withdraws from the competition, signaling uncertainty about his own survival. Sir John then eliminates him, ending his bid and sending a warning to the others. The death toll climbs as the game becomes more about survival than loyalty. The group tightens around the truth of Sir John’s plan.

Kumar makes his move and steals the Shalimar diamond, succeeding where others failed. Just as he completes the theft, the leaders of a local tribe kill Sir John, who had promised them the gem. The double blow shifts the balance of power and takes the manor by surprise. The immediate outcome leaves the gem in a precarious state and the mastermind dead.

It is revealed that Kumar is not a common thief but an elite CBI officer on a special mission to arrest the master criminals. The criminals’ misdeeds are uncovered, and Kumar steps into the role of lawman to restore order. He navigates the fallout and sets the path toward bringing the conspirators to justice.

With the criminals apprehended and Sir John dead, Kumar's true identity as a CBI officer is revealed. He and Sheila Enders, his former fiancée, marry and begin a new life together. The story closes on a note of romance and law triumphing over crime, offering a hopeful conclusion to the deadly games.