Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sobhita Dhulipala, Vijay Raaz
Genre: Heist Thriller
Runtime: 142 minutes
Release Date: April 25, 2025
A Classic Reimagined
There are few phrases in Indian cinema more iconic than "Jewel Thief." For cinephiles, the mere utterance conjures images of Dev Anand in his peak, seductive charm oozing from every frame of Vijay Anand’s 1967 cult classic. So when Sriram Raghavan, Bollywood’s master of neo-noir thrillers (Johnny Gaddaar, Andhadhun), announced a spiritual sequel titled Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, the stakes were immediately sky-high.
Raghavan does not disappoint. Instead of merely remaking the original, he recontextualizes the genre—offering a heist film that brims with tension, character depth, and delicious double-crosses. It’s not just a hat-tip to classic Hindi cinema, but also a sharp contemporary tale that critiques greed, memory, and truth.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)
Set in a cosmopolitan, stylized Mumbai, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins revolves around Aryan Khanna (Saif Ali Khan), an aging master thief who’s more legend than man. Aryan’s been off the grid for a decade, thought dead or retired. But when a priceless royal artifact—The Indrajaal Necklace—surfaces at a controversial auction, he reappears, seemingly for one last score.
But Aryan is not alone. Also after the necklace is RAW operative Kabir Sethi (Jaideep Ahlawat), who suspects that the artifact is a front for an international money laundering operation involving arms trade and corrupt bureaucrats. There’s also Rhea (Sobhita Dhulipala), a brilliant art historian with shadowy allegiances and a mysterious connection to Aryan’s past.
The plot unfolds as a high-wire act of deception, with shifting loyalties, intricate planning, and an explosive climax that doesn’t just twist, but pirouettes.
Performances: A Masterclass in Controlled Energy
Saif Ali Khan as Aryan Khanna
Saif delivers one of his most charismatic performances in years. A character like Aryan could have easily become a caricature—the charming rogue with a suave grin—but Saif injects vulnerability beneath the charm. He plays Aryan like a man haunted by the ghosts of forgotten heists and broken bonds. There’s weariness in his walk, yet precision in his planning. His scenes with Sobhita sizzle with both romance and resentment.
There’s a particularly memorable moment midway through the film, when Aryan faces a moral dilemma—Saif emotes with just a flick of the eye and a clenched jaw. He’s an actor in total control of his craft.
Jaideep Ahlawat as Kabir Sethi
Ahlawat proves yet again why he is among the finest actors in the industry today. His Kabir is not your standard cop chasing a thief—he is introspective, philosophical, and dangerously intelligent. The film smartly flips the cat-and-mouse dynamic, often making Kabir seem like the one orchestrating the game, only for Aryan to reassert his mastery in the very next beat.
Jaideep’s intense gaze and granite-like delivery make every scene he’s in tense and engaging. His ideological confrontation with Aryan in the third act—set atop the crumbling ruins of an old fort—is an acting duel for the ages.
Sobhita Dhulipala as Rhea
Sobhita shines as the intellectual femme fatale. Her Rhea is no damsel, nor a mere romantic interest—she’s a cipher, hiding pain behind elegance. Whether she’s decoding auction catalogs or seducing a diplomat for intel, Sobhita plays her with graceful cunning. Her chemistry with Saif is electric, tinged with history and heartbreak.
Vijay Raaz as Rajat Bhandari
Vijay Raaz plays the oily auctioneer at the heart of the plot with delightful sleaze. He adds levity without undermining the stakes and plays an instrumental role in the film’s climactic sequence.
Direction & Screenplay: Sriram Raghavan’s Signature Symphony
Sriram Raghavan’s films are less narratives and more labyrinths. Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is no exception. From the cold open—which shows a flawless diamond heist in Istanbul before cutting to the smoky lanes of Colaba—to the final reveal, Raghavan keeps the audience second-guessing.
His control over tone is exemplary. The film oscillates between noir-style tension, dark humor, and emotional introspection with seamless transitions. Raghavan avoids loud exposition, opting instead for visual cues, newspaper clippings, and overheard dialogue.
A particular standout is a 15-minute no-dialogue sequence involving overlapping timelines, presented in intercut fashion across three locations. It’s a bold storytelling choice that pays off beautifully.
Writing: Layers of Meaning Beneath the Surface
The screenplay, co-written by Raghavan and Pooja Ladha Surti, is tight and literate. Every object, every name drop, every glance has a purpose. The title itself operates on multiple levels—Jewel Thief as in literal heist, but also referencing the theft of ideals, love, and even identity.
Rhea’s monologues about stolen art being a metaphor for colonial theft, and Kabir’s musings about patriotism and greed, give the film socio-political weight without it ever becoming didactic.
The dialogues are crisp. Lines like “Some treasures aren’t meant to be owned—they’re meant to be chased” or “In the end, everyone’s a thief. Some just steal time” linger long after the credits roll.
Music & Sound Design: Subtle, Sophisticated, Sharp
Daniel B. George’s background score is quietly effective. Unlike loud, bombastic scores, this one hums under the surface—crescendoing at moments of betrayal, vanishing into silence during confrontations. The main theme—built on a recurring motif of a ticking clock over a sarod riff—captures the essence of the film: time, tension, tradition.
The soundtrack features three original songs:
“Taabeer” (by Arijit Singh): A melancholic track that plays over a flashback montage.
“Lootera” (by DIVINE): A slick hip-hop track used during the planning montage.
“Saazish” (by Shilpa Rao): A haunting ballad underscoring a betrayal.
Each song adds layers, never feeling intrusive.
Cinematography: Neo-Noir Brilliance
Madhu Neelakandan’s cinematography is nothing short of stunning. Mumbai has rarely looked this elegant yet dangerous. Night shots are painted in neons and deep shadows, evoking Nicholas Winding Refn and Fincher. Meanwhile, the scenes in Rajasthan, where the climax unfolds, are shot in sepia-toned grandeur, evoking a decaying past.
There are several standout visual set-pieces:
A heist conducted during a power outage, lit only by flashes of lightning.
A motorcycle chase through Dharavi’s maze-like alleys, captured in long takes.
The final sequence in the ruins of an abandoned palace, lit by torchlight and exploding chandeliers.
Every frame is composed with intention. Mirrors, windows, reflections—visual metaphors abound.
Editing & Pacing: Slick and Strategic
The film moves at a brisk pace despite a complex structure. Editors Pooja Surti and Nitin Baid (of Kahaani fame) weave together timelines and flashbacks with surgical precision. There’s never a dull moment, and the narrative reveals are spaced just right to keep viewers hooked.
The heist itself is broken into three acts, interspersed with flashbacks and misdirection. The final 30 minutes, in particular, are breathtaking in execution.
Themes: More Than Just a Heist
At its core, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is about legacy. What do we leave behind when the lights go off? The jewels we steal, or the lies we tell? Aryan, Kabir, and Rhea are all chasing ghosts—personal, historical, and political.
There’s also a recurring theme of erasure: from stolen antiquities to manipulated memories. In one particularly sharp line, Rhea tells Kabir, “India’s most valuable treasures were never stolen—they were auctioned off with consent.” The film critiques not just individual greed, but institutional complicity.
It’s also about stories—who tells them, who owns them. Aryan, after all, is a man made of myth. By the end, we’re left wondering how much of his legend was ever real.
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is a rare Bollywood heist thriller that respects its audience’s intelligence. It’s an ode to the past, a mirror to the present, and a warning for the future—all wrapped in a pulse-pounding narrative filled with style, suspense, and soul.
Sriram Raghavan has not just made a worthy successor to Jewel Thief, but perhaps, dare we say, a superior one. It is an instant classic—a film that will be studied, debated, and revisited.
Must Watch For:
Lovers of noir and intelligent thrillers
Fans of Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat
Those seeking cinema that entertains and challenges
May Not Be For:
Viewers who prefer fast-cut, spoon-fed action
Anyone expecting a musical masala spectacle