Picture: Netflix
We’ve been excited about the Hindi movie Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins since news broke about its development in 2023. When filming began in Budapest a year later, the project had the subtitle “The Red Sun Chapter” — a clue that this was always intended to be the first installment in a franchise.
For the film’s star, Saif Ali Khan, this project reunites him with a couple of important collaborators in his filmography. First is Netflix, of course. Khan starred in the streamer’s first Original Indian series Sacred Games back in 2018. Jewel Thief also marks his third time working with Siddharth Anand, who directed Khan in Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste in the mid-2000s. Anand serves as producer and co-writer on this newest movie.
Anand brings real action credentials to Jewel Thief, having transitioned from his rom-com roots to directing blockbuster thrillers like War, Pathaan, and Fighter (streaming on Netflix). Representing his production house, Marflix Pictures, Anand tells Netflix: “We wanted to bring the scale and excitement of big-screen action to Netflix. It’s stylish, thrilling, and packed with entertainment—everything audiences love about heist dramas.” Netflix’s director of Original Films for India referred to the title as an “ode to the classic Bollywood heist film.”
Jewel Thief is co-directed by Robbie Grewal (Romeo Akbar Walter) and Kookie Gulati (Dhokha: Round D Corner). Anand shares writing credits with David Logan (Harry Wild) and Sumit Arora (Deva, Ginny Weds Sunny).
What is the plot of Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins?
Here’s how Netflix describes this globe-trotting thriller:
A jewel thief is hired by a powerful crime lord to steal the world’s most elusive diamond: the African Red Sun. His perfectly planned heist then takes a wild turn. Chaos, twists, and unexpected alliances unfold in this high-stakes race making it a deadly game of deception and betrayal.
Who is cast in Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins?
Saif Ali Khan plays Rehan Roy — “a charming and cunning thief with wits as sharp as his moves.”
Jaideep Ahlawat (Jaane Jaan, Maharaj) plays Rajan Aulakh, the gangster who hires Rehan to steal the Red Sun diamond.
Nikita Dutta (Maska, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter) plays Farah, Rehan’s former flame who’s now married to Rajan.
Kunal Kapoor (Ankahi Kahaniya, Rang De Basanti) plays Vikram Patel, a detective finally closing in on Rehan after chasing him around the world.
The main cast created a stir online with the release of a promotional video for the film’s catchy song “Jaadu,” which features all of the stars dancing — including Jaideep Ahlawat, who usually plays more serious dramatic roles and doesn’t dance onscreen. Watch him cut a rug below:
Other cast members include:
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Crew)
- Gagan Arora (The Fame Game)
- Loitongbam Dorendra Singh (Anek)
- Sumit Gulati (Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper)
What’s the release date of Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins?
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins releases globally on April 25, 2025.
You can add Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins to your ‘Remind Me’ Netflix queue here. You can see more of Netflix’s upcoming TV and movie slate from India scheduled to arrive throughout the remainder of the year and into 2026 in the link provided.
Here’s some more first looks at the new heist film:
Jewel Thief. Saif Ali Khan in Jewel Thief. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Jewel Thief. (L to R) Nikita Dutta, Saif Ali Khan in Jewel Thief. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Jewel Thief. Jaideep Ahlawat in Jewel Thief. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Are you excited for the heist to begin? Let us know in the comments below!
