Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins is a 2025 Hindi-language heist action thriller directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal and produced by Marflix Pictures (Siddharth Anand / Mamta Anand). The principal cast includes Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta, and Kunal Kapoor. The film runs about 118 minutes and premiered on Netflix on 25 April 2025.
Storyline — the set-piece heist and the twists
The core of Jewel Thief centers on Rehan Roy (Saif Ali Khan), an infamous jewel thief based in Budapest who is forced back into action when his family is framed by a vicious crime lord, Rajan Aulakh (Jaideep Ahlawat). To save his father and brother from a money-laundering frame, Rehan is coerced into stealing the prized gem called the Red Sun, displayed at a Mumbai exhibition. The heist itself includes audacious sequences — including a mid-air segment aboard a commercial flight — and the plot spins through betrayals, double crosses, and a final twist in which Rehan reveals several layers of deception and comes away with the real gem.
Cast, crew and technical credits
- Directors: Kookie Gulati, Robbie Grewal.
- Producers / Studio: Marflix Pictures (Siddharth Anand, Mamta Anand).
- Main cast: Saif Ali Khan (Rehan Roy), Jaideep Ahlawat (Rajan Aulakh), Nikita Dutta (Farah), Kunal Kapoor (Vikram Patel), plus Kulbhushan Kharbanda and others.
- Cinematography: Jishnu Bhattacharjee. Editing: Aarif Sheikh. Score / Songs: Shezan Shaikh (score); songs by Sachin–Jigar and others.
These production credits help explain the film’s slick visual style and glossy set pieces, which critics repeatedly noted even while criticizing the script.
Production notes — timeline and reshoots
The project was publicly announced in early 2024, principal photography began March 2024 with shoots in Mumbai and Budapest, and the production wrapped in May 2024. Notably, directors brought in Kookie Gulati for reshoots in November 2024, which were completed by December 2024 — a common step for large-scale thrillers that require fine-tuning of action or narrative beats. The film was then prepped for its Netflix release in April 2025.
Tone, motifs and what the film aims for
Jewel Thief aims for the glossy, high-octane heist template: elegant theft mechanics, globe-trotting locales, a charismatic con man, and a crime boss with brutal leverage. Motifs include family loyalty (Rehan’s drive to save his father and brother), greed and betrayal among criminals, and the theatrical spectacle of an impossible theft (the mid-air retrieval of the gem is the film’s centrepiece). Where the film shines is in production value, stunt choreography, and its star power; where it stumbles is in narrative coherence and logic under pressure.
Critical reception — praise and pushback
Critical reaction skewed mixed-to-negative. Many reviewers praised Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat’s performances and the movie’s glossy production design, but consistently flagged weak scripting, plot holes, and over-reliance on “plot armour” — moments where characters succeed by implausible means rather than convincing setup. Outlets like IndieWire and Decider called the film a visually flashy but narratively hollow popcorn thriller; major Indian critics (Hindustan Times, Indian Express) were also unimpressed, with several one-star takes criticizing the film’s lack of spark despite its ambition. Aggregate viewer scores on platforms such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes reflect the split: energetic spectacle for some, frustrating superficiality for others.
Why watch (and why skip)
Watch if: you enjoy a fast, glossy heist yarn with charismatic leads and extravagant set pieces. The mid-air sequence and globe-trotting visuals are crowd-pleasers, and Saif/Jaideep add the gravitas needed to carry surface thrills.
Skip if: you prefer tight plotting and logical payoffs — reviewers note that Jewel Thief asks viewers to accept several convenience beats and to suspend disbelief repeatedly. If narrative coherence matters more than style, this one may frustrate.
Final takeaway
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins is a modern Bollywood attempt at a large-scale heist film for streaming audiences. It delivers spectacle, stunts, and charismatic performances, but the script’s weaknesses keep it from reaching the top tier of the genre. For viewers who love stylish capers and are willing to forgive contrivances for the sake of entertainment, it’s a watchable Netflix offering; for those seeking airtight, twist-tight heist logic, it will likely feel unsatisfying.
Where to watch & the YoMovies note
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins premiered on Netflix on 25 April 2025. If you prefer streaming or are looking for alternate destinations, the film has also been discussed across film platforms and social hubs since release. For quick access or casual browsing, the film is widely listed across streaming directories and review sites.
Watch Jewel Thief on YoMovies — stream Jewel Thief (2025) in HD on YoMovies for an on-demand heist experience. (Note: Netflix is the film’s official distributor.)
FAQs
Who directed Jewel Thief (2025)?
The film is co-directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal.
When and where did Jewel Thief release?
Jewel Thief premiered on Netflix on 25 April 2025.
Who are the main cast members?
The lead cast includes Saif Ali Khan (Rehan Roy), Jaideep Ahlawat (Rajan Aulakh), Nikita Dutta, and Kunal Kapoor.
What is the runtime of Jewel Thief (2025)?
The film runs for approximately 118 minutes.
What is the central plot hook or twist of the film?
Rehan is coerced into stealing a priceless diamond (the “Red Sun”) to save his family from a frame, and discovers multiple betrayals and hidden layers in the process.
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