From Dhoom and Don to Farzi: 6 Heist and Crime Stories to Revisit Before Chaar Yaar Arrives

A good heist story is never just about the crime. It is about the audacity of the plan, the minds behind it, the unexpected turns along the way, and the moment when everything threatens to unravel. From elaborate cons and daring robberies to schemes that spiral beyond anyone’s control, Bollywood and streaming have delivered plenty of stories that keep us guessing until the very end. Joining this space is Prime Video’s upcoming crime drama Chaar Yaar, which follows four middle-class friends whose one fateful decision pulls them into a dangerous world of gangsters and the police.

Here’s a look at some films and series that have kept us hooked with their high-stakes schemes and criminal escapades:

1. Dhoom

Fast bikes, daring robberies, and a cop determined to catch a thief who always seems to be one step ahead, Dhoom brought a high-octane spin to the crime genre. The film follows Kabir, played by John Abraham, and his gang as they carry out a series of robberies, with Abhishek Bachchan’s Jai Dixit and Uday Chopra’s Ali on their trail. Across the franchise, Dhoom has continued to deliver memorable heists, larger-than-life thieves and high-speed pursuits that have become synonymous with the series.

2. Don

underworld kingpin, and Vijay, his lookalike recruited by the authorities to infiltrate the criminal network. As Vijay struggles to maintain his cover, shifting identities and uncertain loyalties keep the stakes high. Featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Boman Irani, the film keeps audiences guessing about who is really calling the shots.

3. Farzi

What begins as a way to save his grandfather’s struggling printing press soon draws Sunny into a much bigger criminal operation. Played by Shahid Kapoor, the gifted artist in Farzi discovers that his ability to create convincing counterfeit currency could open the door to a very different life. But as the stakes rise, he finds himself in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with Michael, an unconventional task force officer played by Vijay Sethupathi. Created by Raj and DK, the Prime Video series explores the world of counterfeit money, where one successful move can quickly lead to consequences no one saw coming.

4. Happy New Year

What better way to pull off a diamond heist than by entering a dance competition? In Happy New Year, Charlie (Shah Rukh Khan) assembles an unlikely team to enter the World Dance Championship in Dubai, using it as cover to break into a heavily guarded vault and steal diamonds as part of a revenge plot. Directed by Farah Khan, the film features Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah, blending high-stakes crime with comedy, dance and team chaos.

5. Special 26

In Special 26, the con hinges on one simple trick: making a fake raid look real. Inspired by real-life incidents, the film follows a group of con artists posing as CBI and income tax officers to target wealthy businessmen and politicians. Led by Akshay Kumar as Ajay Singh, alongside Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee and Jimmy Sheirgill, the film keeps audiences hooked as the gang’s elaborate operation faces the threat of being exposed by a determined investigation.

6. Crew

Not every criminal enterprise begins with a master plan. In Crew, three flight attendants find themselves drawn into a gold-smuggling racket after their airline runs into financial trouble. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu and Kriti Sanon play Geeta, Jasmine and Divya, three women trying to find a way out of their circumstances while navigating an increasingly complicated situation.

Chaar Yaar

Adding to the mix of heists, cons and high-stakes crime stories is Prime Video’s upcoming Hindi Original series Chaar Yaar, where one wrong turn sets four friends on a path they never planned to take. Set against the backdrop of early-2000s Mumbai, the series follows Jay, Tony, Saahil and Sameer, four middle-class friends whose one fateful decision pulls them into the world of crime, putting them in the crosshairs of gangsters and the police. Led by Prayrak Mehta, Saqib Ayub, Purav Jha and Naman Jain, the eight-episode crime drama brings a darker edge to the familiar story of friends figuring things out together. Only this time, the stakes extend far beyond money or ambition, with survival, loyalty, and the consequences of a single decision hanging in the balance. The series also features Sai Tamhankar, Sikandar Kher, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Rajesh Tailang, Chunky Panday, and Bhagavathi Perumal in pivotal roles.

From elaborate robberies and carefully executed cons to schemes that take an unexpected turn, these stories show that the world of crime rarely goes according to plan. With Chaar Yaar, a new group of friends is about to discover just how far one decision can take them and what it might cost to find their way back. Chaar Yaar premieres October 23, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video.