Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins (2025) – A Stylish but Divisive Netflix Heist Thriller
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is a 2025 Indian action-thriller film directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal. Released globally on Netflix on April 25, 2025, the film stars Saif Ali Khan as Rehan Roy, a master thief recruited to steal the legendary African Red Sun diamond. The narrative unfolds into a complex web of double-crosses and shifting loyalties, set against a backdrop of high-stakes action and international intrigue.
🎭 Cast & Crew
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Saif Ali Khan as Rehan Roy, the suave and elusive jewel thief.
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Jaideep Ahlawat as Rajan Aulakh, a crime lord orchestrating the heist.
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Nikita Dutta, Kunal Kapoor, Ivana Brcan, and Gagan Arora in supporting roles.
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Directors: Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal.
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Writers: Sumit Arora (dialogue) and David Logan (screenplay).
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Producers: Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand under Marflix Pictures.
🎬 Plot Overview
The film follows Rehan Roy, a legendary thief who has evaded Indian authorities for years. He is approached by crime lord Rajan Aulakh to execute a daring heist: stealing the elusive African Red Sun diamond. As the meticulously planned operation unfolds, Rehan finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of deception, facing unexpected challenges and betrayals that test his skills and resolve.
📽️ Production & Release
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Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes.
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller.
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Release Date: April 25, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
🌟 Critical Reception
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins received mixed reviews from critics:
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Access Bollywood praised the film as a “fun, vibrant caper” with a “charming leading man,” awarding it 3.5 out of 4 stars.
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Times of India highlighted its slick execution and high-stakes entertainment, giving it a 3.5/5 rating.
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NDTV criticized the film as a “stylish snoozefest,” rating it 1.5/5, citing a lack of depth despite strong performances.
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Filmfare noted that while the film boasts good production values, a lack of a coherent plot dampens its overall impact, resulting in a 2.5/5 rating.
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Rotten Tomatoes features audience reviews praising the film’s rewatchability and entertainment value, with some viewers rating it 5/5 stars.
🔍 Final Verdict
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins offers a blend of high-octane action and stylish visuals, anchored by Saif Ali Khan’s charismatic performance. While the film excels in production quality and delivers some thrilling moments, its reception has been polarized due to critiques of its narrative coherence and character development. For fans of heist thrillers and sleek action sequences, it presents an entertaining watch, albeit with some reservations.Netflix
Watch Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins now streaming on Netflix.