“Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins” arrives on Netflix led by established Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, with support from Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor. However, before landing on Netflix, the film faced a significant hurdle: film critics in India panned it, with some outlets giving it ratings as low as one out of five stars.
Was the criticism warranted? We’ll explore that shortly.
Produced by Marflix Pictures, founded by Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand, the company is known for delivering some of Bollywood’s biggest action blockbusters like War, Pathaan, and Fighter. Marflix’s involvement set expectations for a visually spectacular and thrilling experience, even on a streaming platform. Indeed, the producers explicitly stated their goal was to bring the “scale and thrill of big-screen action” to Netflix, marking Marflix’s streaming debut. The film was directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal.
For lead actor Saif Ali Khan, the film represented a return to the stylish, sophisticated persona reminiscent of his popular Race film series, a comparison frequently drawn in promotional materials and initial reactions. It also marked a reunion with producer Siddharth Anand 18 years after their last collaboration on Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007). Furthermore, the release was Khan’s first since a serious and widely reported knife attack incident at his residence earlier in the year.
Planning the Heist: High Stakes, Familiar Tropes
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins revolves around the planned theft of a legendary and immensely valuable diamond known as the “African Red Sun,” sometimes referred to as “Africa Ka Kohinoor.” Valued at a staggering 500 crore rupees (₹5 billion) on the black market, this elusive gem becomes the target of a complex operation.
The plot is set in motion by Rajan Aulakh, played by Jaideep Ahlawat. Aulakh is depicted as a dangerous and sadistic former mobster and art collector attempting to transition into legitimate business but currently facing financial difficulties. Driven by greed and the need to regain his standing, he requires the Red Sun diamond, partly to settle a score or obligation with another powerful Istanbul-based crime lord named Moosa (Laitongbam Dorendra Singh), with whom he shares a violent past. To execute this high-stakes robbery, Aulakh hires—or rather, blackmails—the film’s protagonist, Rehan Roy, played by Saif Ali Khan.
Rehan Roy is introduced as a master jewel thief – a sophisticated, charming, and cunning conman known for his sharp intellect and ability to evade authorities. As the story begins, he is hiding out in Budapest, Hungary, a location specifically chosen because India lacks an extradition treaty, ensuring his safety. However, Aulakh forces Rehan back to India by threatening his estranged family, particularly his father (played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda), exploiting Rehan’s lingering family issues and guilt.
Adding complexity to the dynamic is Farah (Nikita Dutta), Rajan Aulakh’s beautiful but unhappy wife, trapped in an abusive marriage. Rehan finds himself drawn to her, introducing a romantic entanglement and the potential for betrayal that complicates the heist.
Constantly pursuing Rehan is Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor), a relentless STF (Special Task Force) officer/detective determined to bring the elusive thief to justice. However, Vikram consistently finds himself outsmarted, always seemingly one step behind his target.
The heist itself involves intricate planning and execution, initially targeting the Red Sun diamond while it’s exhibited at the Fortcrest Art Centre, a museum in Mumbai.
Behind the Diamond Facade: Production and Style
Announced in February 2024 with Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat attached to star, the film went through several title iterations. Initially referred to simply as Jewel Thief, it was officially announced in May 2024 as Jewel Thief – The Red Sun Chapter. The final title, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, was revealed in February 2025 as part of Netflix’s slate announcement.
Principal photography began in March 2024 and took place in Mumbai and Budapest, concluding in May 2024. However, months later, in November 2024, director Kookie Gulati (one of the two credited directors alongside Robbie Grewal) was brought on specifically to handle reshoots, which wrapped up in December 2024. While reshoots are not uncommon in filmmaking, the combination of multiple official title changes late in the process and the need for significant reshoots helmed by one director long after principal photography concluded might suggest potential challenges or shifts in creative direction during post-production. Such indicators sometimes point to underlying difficulties in shaping the final narrative or tone, potentially correlating with the consistency issues noted by some critics in the released film.
Despite being a direct-to-streaming release, the film aimed for a cinematic scale, driven by Siddharth Anand’s Marflix Pictures. The production house’s reputation for high-octane, visually stunning theatrical releases like War and Pathaan set a high bar. The film’s visual approach reflects this ambition, often described by observers as “glossy,” “slick,” and employing a palette featuring “neon pinks and moody reds” in an attempt to achieve an “international quality.” Cinematographer Jishnu Bhattacharjee captured the action across international locations like Budapest and Istanbul, contributing to what some acknowledged as a “big-budget feel” with rich production design.
The film’s soundtrack features a score composed by Shezan Shaikh, with songs contributed by multiple artists, including Sachin–Jigar, OAFF–Savera, and Soundtrek–Anis Ali Sabri. Tracks like the disco-themed “Jaadu” and the romantic “Ilzaam” were released ahead of the film’s premiere as part of the promotional campaign, generating some online buzz, with “Jaadu” noted for its retro-modern vibe and the chemistry between Khan and Dutta.
The Cast
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins brought together a renowned Bollywood cast, led by Saif Ali Khan as the protagonist Rehan Roy. Khan embodies the “charming, cunning thief” archetype, a role that drew immediate comparisons to his performances in the successful Race franchise.
Jaideep Ahlawat, highly regarded for his intense performances in projects like Paatal Lok, took on the role of the antagonist, Rajan Aulakh, described as a “cold, calculating mafia boss.”
Nikita Dutta played Farah, the unhappy wife caught between the two male leads.
Kunal Kapoor portrayed Vikram Patel, the determined law enforcement officer pursuing Rehan.
Other actors in supporting roles included Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Rehan’s father, Jayant Roy; Gagan Arora as his brother Avi; Loitongbam Dorendra Singh as the Istanbul crime lord Moosa; Sumit Gulati as Chunky; Chirjyot Singh Kohli and Vinay Sharma as bumbling officers easily duped by Rehan; and Meenal Sahu as Nikki, a hacker assisting Rehan whose character wasn’t fully fleshed out.
Is It Really Bad Enough to Warrant Such Poor Reviews?
While it won’t change your life (it definitely won’t), Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins is a decent film that never takes itself seriously: lots of slow-motion shots when the lead actress appears, plenty of shots of the protagonist lounging by the pool… sunglasses, occasionally bad jokes… no, the film isn’t serious, nor does it know how to take this heist seriously, which sometimes brings a smile, intended or not.
We won’t list the film’s narrative shortcomings – it has them, but nobody set out to make a neorealist masterpiece here. However, we will point out its positive aspects: it boasts stylish cinematography and good production values, along with a solid pace, editing, and sound design.
Regarding the script, we’d rather not dwell on it. When it comes to heist movies, we’ll likely have to stick with watching George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the classic Ocean’s Eleven (2001).
Still, for the sake of providing information, we’ll name names: The screenplay is credited to David Logan, with dialogue by Sumit Arora.
That said, the film seems to hint at more to come, suggesting this jewel theft is just the beginning.
Will they dare?
Speaking somewhat seriously, if you’re looking for frivolous entertainment that doesn’t take itself seriously, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins could be a good choice.
And no, it’s not as bad as the critics made it out to be.
It’s no Citizen Kane, but just this week, we’ve seen three or four films that were considerably worse than Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins.
So relax, and don’t take it too seriously.
Where to Watch “Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins”
