Mumbai, April 26, 2025 — Saif Ali Khan’s back on the screen, but his latest venture, Jewel Thief, a glossy heist thriller streaming on Netflix, is stirring up a storm of chatter—some calling it a pulse-pounding win, others shrugging it off as a forgettable misfire. Dropped on April 25, the film, co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta, and Kunal Kapoor, promised a slick ride through a world of diamonds, deception, and danger. But as the dust settles, it’s clear not everyone’s buying the sparkle.
The movie, directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, marks Khan’s return after a rough patch—a real-life robbery at his Bandra apartment last year left him stabbed and shaken. Produced by Siddharth Anand, Jewel Thief had been hyped since its teaser dropped at Netflix’s Mumbai event in February. Early reports pegged a late March release, but the film landed a month later, locking in its digital premiere on April 25. It’s a high-stakes tale of thieves, cops, and fake gems, with Khan as the titular crook and Ahlawat as a formidable don.
Critics, though, are split down the middle. Some praise the film’s swagger, pointing to Khan and Ahlawat’s chemistry as the glue holding it together. The action’s tight, they say, with a few standout sequences that deliver the kind of popcorn thrills you’d expect from a heist caper. One review hailed it as a “mass hit,” crediting the leads for keeping things lively even when the plot wobbles. But others aren’t so kind. Words like “lazy” and “clichéd” pepper the harsher takes, with complaints about a screenplay that feels phoned-in and a story that leans on tired tropes. One critique called the ending “predictable as a monsoon in June,” while another groaned that the film “steals your time more than any jewels.” Dutta’s role, meanwhile, gets flak for being underdeveloped, though her screen presence draws some nods. Ahlawat, as usual, is a bright spot, with even the naysayers tipping their hats to his performance.
The film’s rollout wasn’t without hiccups. Netflix’s official announcement on April 14 set the stage, but earlier reports from March had fans expecting a March 27 drop—a date that came and went without confirmation. The delay didn’t help the buzz, and now, with reviews pouring in, Jewel Thief is shaping up as a polarizing gamble. It’s got the star power and polish, but for every viewer cheering, another’s already scrolled past.
As of now, the film’s streaming on Netflix, available to subscribers worldwide. No official viewership numbers have dropped, and Netflix hasn’t commented on the mixed reception. Khan, Ahlawat, and the team are keeping mum, letting the work speak for itself. Whether it’s a diamond in the rough or a shiny dud, Jewel Thief is out there, waiting for the next click.