đŹ Introduction
Jewel Thief â The Heist Begins is a 2025 Indian action-thriller directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal. The film stars Saif Ali Khan as Rehan Roy, a master thief, and Jaideep Ahlawat as Rajan Aulakh, a menacing mafia boss. The plot revolves around a high-stakes heist to steal a priceless diamond known as the Red Sun. Despite its promising premise and star-studded cast, the film has garnered mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike.en.wikipedia.org+11indianexpress.com+11decider.com+11scroll.in+4bollywoodsociety.com+4bollywoodhungama.com+4bollywoodhungama.com+2decider.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2
đ Plot Overview
Rehan Roy, a legendary jewel thief, is living in exile in Budapest, under constant surveillance by Indian authorities. His life takes a dramatic turn when his younger brother, Avi, arrives with news that their father, Dr. Jayant Roy, has been framed in a money laundering scandal orchestrated by the ruthless art collector Rajan Aulakh. To save his family, Rehan agrees to return to India and steal the Red Sun diamond, a gem worth âč500 crore, currently displayed at the Fortcrest Art Centre in Mumbai.en.wikipedia.org+1bollywoodhungama.com+1scroll.in+2bollywoodhungama.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2
The heist unfolds with a series of elaborate plans, including a daring mid-air operation and a high-tech museum break-in. However, Rehanâs meticulous planning faces unexpected challenges, including the relentless pursuit of STF officer Vikram Patel and the treacherous betrayal by Rajan. In a climactic twist, Rehan reveals that the entire heist was a setup to expose Rajanâs criminal activities, leading to a fiery confrontation and setting the stage for a potential sequel.bollywoodhungama.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1
đ Cast and Performances
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Saif Ali Khan as Rehan Roy: Khan delivers a suave and charismatic performance, embodying the role of a seasoned thief with ease. However, some critics feel that his portrayal lacks depth and fails to bring a fresh perspective to the character.scroll.in
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Jaideep Ahlawat as Rajan Aulakh: Ahlawatâs portrayal of the menacing mafia boss is intense and compelling. His performance adds a layer of menace to the film, though some reviewers feel that his character lacks development beyond being a stereotypical villain.indianexpress.com+1indianexpress.com+1
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Nikita Dutta as Farah: Duttaâs character serves as a romantic interest and a catalyst for certain plot developments. While her performance is competent, the characterâs arc feels underdeveloped and lacks emotional resonance.bollywoodsociety.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1
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Kunal Kapoor as Vikram Patel: Kapoor portrays the determined STF officer chasing Rehan. His character adds a sense of urgency to the narrative, though some critics feel that his role is more functional than dynamic.scroll.in
đŹ Direction and Cinematography
Directors Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal aim to craft a stylish and thrilling heist film. The cinematography by Jishnu Bhattacharjee captures the grandeur of the heist sequences and the opulence of the settings. However, some critics feel that the filmâs direction lacks coherence, with certain scenes feeling disjointed and the pacing uneven.bollywoodhungama.com+5indianexpress.com+5bollywoodsociety.com+5bollywoodsociety.com
The filmâs visual style draws inspiration from Western heist classics, incorporating sleek visuals and high-octane action sequences. While these elements add to the filmâs appeal, they sometimes overshadow character development and narrative depth.decider.com
đ¶ Music and Soundtrack
The filmâs music, composed by Sachin-Jigar, OAFFâSavera, and SoundtrekâAnis Ali Sabri, features tracks that complement the filmâs tone. The first single, âJaadu,â released on April 9, 2025, and the second single, âIlzaam,â released on April 17, 2025, have garnered attention for their catchy tunes and choreography. However, some critics feel that the music, while energetic, does not significantly enhance the filmâs emotional impact.en.wikipedia.org
đ Reception and Box Office Performance
Upon its release on Netflix on April 25, 2025, Jewel Thief â The Heist Begins quickly became the streaming platformâs most-watched film of the year, achieving 16.1 million views in its first two weeks. The filmâs strong performance can be attributed to its star power, high production values, and effective marketing campaign. Despite its commercial success, the film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics.cinematerial.com+11bollywoodhungama.com+11indianexpress.com+11
Critics have praised the filmâs visual style and the performances of the lead actors but have criticized its predictable plot, lack of character development, and reliance on clichĂ©s. Some reviewers have likened the film to a âbad cartoonâ and have noted that it fails to live up to the standards set by other heist thrillers.
đ§ Themes and Social Commentary
While Jewel Thief â The Heist Begins primarily focuses on delivering an entertaining heist narrative, it also touches upon themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a life of crime. Rehanâs motivations are driven by a desire to protect his family, and the film explores the moral ambiguities of his actions. However, some critics feel that these themes are not fully explored and are overshadowed by the filmâs emphasis on action and spectacle.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12bollywoodhungama.com+12scroll.in+12rottentomatoes.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2scroll.in+2
đ Conclusion
Jewel Thief â The Heist Begins offers a stylish and action-packed heist thriller with a star-studded cast and high production values. While it has achieved commercial success on Netflix, the film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who have praised its visual style and performances but have criticized its predictable plot and lack of character development.
For fans of heist films and Saif Ali Khanâs work, Jewel Thief â The Heist Begins may provide an entertaining watch. However, viewers seeking a more original and thought-provoking thriller may find the film lacking in depth and innovation.