Premiering on Netflix on April 25, 2025, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins promised a thrilling ride with its star-studded cast and high-stakes heist premise. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, and produced by Siddharth Anand’s Marflix Pictures, the film stars Saif Ali Khan as a suave jewel thief, Jaideep Ahlawat as a menacing crime lord, and features Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor in key roles. Despite its glossy production and international locales, the Hindi-language action thriller has left audiences and critics divided, struggling to deliver the suspense and depth expected from the genre.
A Familiar Plot with High Stakes
The story follows Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan), a globetrotting jewel thief hiding in Budapest after renouncing his father, a doctor played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Rehan’s quiet life is disrupted when his brother Avi (Gagan Arora) reveals that their father’s clinic has been entangled in a money-laundering scheme by Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat), a criminal posing as an art collector. Rajan blackmails Rehan into stealing the African Red Sun, a priceless ruby, by threatening his family. What begins as a meticulously planned heist spirals into a web of betrayal, double-crosses, and a predictable romantic subplot involving Rajan’s distressed wife, Farah (Nikita Dutta). Meanwhile, Vikram Patel (Kunal Kapoor), an Indian Secret Service officer, relentlessly pursues Rehan, always a step behind.
The film’s 117-minute runtime takes viewers from Budapest to Mumbai, with a detour to Istanbul—though some shots of “Istanbul” were actually filmed at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. The heist itself, involving infrared security and password-cracking, feels like a relic of 1970s thrillers, lacking the ingenuity of modern classics like Money Heist. The plot leans heavily on clichés: a hero with a tragic backstory, a villain driven by greed, and a cop who’s perpetually outsmarted.
Performances: A Mixed Bag
Saif Ali Khan, returning to the screen after a real-life robbery incident at his Bandra apartment, tries to channel the slick charm of his Race days as Rehan. While he looks dashing in crisp suits, his performance feels detached, as if he’s going through the motions. Critics have noted that the script doesn’t give him room to shine, reducing him to a caricature of a “cool thief.” Jaideep Ahlawat, however, emerges as the film’s highlight. As Rajan, he exudes menace, his ruthless demeanor chilling even in silent moments. Yet, his character lacks depth, coming off more like a cartoonish villain than a formidable foe.
Nikita Dutta’s Farah is underutilized, relegated to a damsel-in-distress trope with little agency. Her chemistry with Saif feels forced, culminating in an awkward lip kiss that many have called out of place. Kunal Kapoor’s Vikram, the bumbling cop, is a caricature of ineptitude, his role reduced to providing comic relief that rarely lands. The supporting cast, including Gagan Arora and Sumit Gulati, offers little to elevate the narrative.
Reception: A Lukewarm Response
Jewel Thief has received mixed reviews, reflecting its inability to balance style and substance. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 45% approval rating, with critics lamenting its predictability and lack of innovation. The Hindustan Times gave it 1/5 stars, calling it a “time thief” that fails to deliver suspense, while The Indian Express echoed this sentiment, rating it 1/5 for its “banal” execution. Rediff awarded it 2.5/5 stars, noting the script’s juvenile tone despite a promising premise. On the other hand, Bollywood Hungama gave it 3/5, praising its “fun-filled” twists, and News18 called it a “guilty pleasure” for those seeking mindless entertainment.
Audience reactions on platforms like X are similarly split. Some fans appreciated the nostalgic vibe and Jaideep Ahlawat’s performance, particularly his dance moves in the song “Jaadu Sa.” Others found the film forgettable, with one user comparing the experience to a “root canal treatment,” highlighting its 118-minute runtime as “118 minutes too many.”
Production and Cultural Context
The film’s production values are a double-edged sword. While the international settings and neon-lit action sequences aim for a global feel, the execution falls flat. The screenplay, penned by David Logan, is riddled with loopholes—Rehan’s superhuman ability to outsmart everyone, including posing as a doctor mid-flight, defies logic. The background score by Shezan Shaikh and editing by Aarif Sheikh fail to inject energy, leaving the film feeling sluggish despite its fast pace.
Jewel Thief also reflects Bollywood’s current struggle with originality. At a time when patriotic dramas dominate, the film’s attempt at a lighthearted heist thriller feels refreshing but outdated. Its reliance on stereotypes—misogynistic undertones, a forced romance, and casual racism for humor—has drawn criticism, with some calling it a reflection of Bollywood’s low expectations of its audience.
Legacy: A Missed Opportunity
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins had the potential to be a slick, entertaining caper but stumbles under the weight of its clichés and lazy writing. It neither captures the charm of Vijay Anand’s 1967 classic Jewel Thief nor the thrill of modern heist films. For Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, it’s a disappointing outing despite their efforts. As it streams on Netflix, the film may find an audience seeking a no-brainer watch, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression in Bollywood’s evolving landscape.
