Heist thrillers are all about adrenaline – slick plans, unexpected twists, and high-stakes drama. Whether it’s stealing diamonds mid-air or conning millionaires in broad daylight, Indian cinema has produced some unforgettable heist films that are a treat for binge-watchers. Here’s a curated list of the best Indian heist thrillers that combine brains, brawn, and a whole lot of boldness!
1. Special 26 (2013) – YouTube
Based on real events, this masterful con-thriller sees Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar) and his crew posing as CBI officers to raid corrupt businessmen and politicians. As they carry out heist after heist under the guise of official raids, real CBI officer Wasim Khan (Manoj Bajpayee) begins to suspect foul play. What follows is an engrossing game of deception, strategy, and a perfectly timed final twist that leaves you stunned.
2. Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023) – Netflix
A modern heist with a sky-high twist, this thriller follows Neha (Yami Gautam), an air hostess, and her boyfriend Ankit (Sunny Kaushal), a debt-ridden businessman. They plot to steal diamonds during a flight — but their plan takes a terrifying turn when the plane gets hijacked. With layered motivations and nail-biting tension, this one keeps you guessing till the very end.
3. Aankhen (2002) – Amazon Prime Video
An audacious plot with a unique twist — a bank heist executed by three blind men. After being fired from the bank, Vijay Singh Rajput (Amitabh Bachchan) seeks revenge by training three visually impaired men (Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, and Paresh Rawal) to pull off the impossible. With Sushmita Sen playing the reluctant trainer, Aankhen delivers a gripping, emotional, and cleverly constructed thriller.
4. Kaante (2002) – JioCinema
A gritty Bollywood take on Reservoir Dogs, Kaante brings together six men in Los Angeles to rob a bank that holds seized LAPD cash. Featuring an explosive cast — Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Lucky Ali, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Kumar Gaurav — the film blends style and substance. When their plan unravels, suspicion and betrayal spark an intense showdown where no one can be trusted.
5. Don 2 (2011) – Netflix
Shah Rukh Khan slips back into the iconic role of Don, the suave criminal mastermind now targeting Europe’s biggest underworld prize — a daring bank heist in Berlin. In this stylish action thriller, Don sets out to steal printing plates from a high-security bank, with his loyal accomplice Roma (Priyanka Chopra) walking a tightrope between duty and emotion. As Interpol closes in, Don’s plan unfolds through a series of clever misdirections, betrayal, and bombastic action. Packed with international locations, thrilling stunts, and SRK’s signature charm, Don 2 is a gripping mix of brains and bravado.
6. Players (2012) – Netflix
A desi remake of The Italian Job, this film has Charlie (Abhishek Bachchan) assembling a team of experts to steal gold bars in Russia. The team includes a magician (Bobby Deol), a hacker (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a bomb expert (Sikandar Kher), and a car whiz (Bipasha Basu). But as greed and betrayal take over, trust erodes and revenge takes centre stage. With stylish visuals and clever action sequences, Players is a full-on Bollywood spectacle.
7. Soodhu Kavvum (2013) – Prime Video
Quirky, dark, and delightfully absurd — Soodhu Kavvum is a Tamil cult classic where a small-time kidnapper’s strange set of “rules” leads to a hilariously botched heist. This black comedy thriller is unpredictable, packed with satire, and subverts every expectation in the best way possible.
8. Jewel Thief (2025) – Netflix
A master thief is lured into an elite mission: steal the legendary African Red Sun diamond — a gem of immeasurable worth and deadly consequence. What starts as a perfectly choreographed heist soon unravels into a tense game of double-crosses, hidden agendas, and shifting loyalties. Jaideep Ahlawat brings a menacing intensity, while Saif Ali Khan adds slick charm to this stylish thriller where no one can be trusted, and every move could be your last.
9. Sikandar Ka Muqaddar – Netflix
Set against the glittering backdrop of a diamond exhibition in Mumbai, this suspense-packed film introduces a fresh mystery. When five rare red solitaires worth ₹500–600 million vanish without a trace, Investigating Officer Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Sheirgill) is on the case. His suspects? Mangesh Desai, Kamini Singh, and Sikandar Sharma – each hiding secrets and motives. With Divya Dutta in a pivotal role, the story becomes a tense unraveling of lies, obsession, and collateral damage. A must-watch for fans of smart whodunits and high-stakes investigations.
10. Johnny Gaddaar (2007) – JioCinema
This neo-noir thriller by Sriram Raghavan isn’t a straightforward heist flick — but it begins with a money-laundering scheme that spirals into greed, murder, and betrayal. Neil Nitin Mukesh’s breakout performance, Hitchcockian suspense, and a razor-sharp script make Johnny Gaddaar a tense, intelligent ride through the dark side of crime.
Which one is your favorite?