Director Kookie Gulati Discusses 'Jewel Thief': A Long-awaited Heist Film for India

Synopsis

Kookie Gulati, the director of 'Jewel Thief', emphasizes that India has lacked a true heist film for years. This movie features an exciting diamond heist and an impressive cast, including Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat. Gulati shares insights into the film's creative process and the influence of producer Siddharth Anand.

Key Takeaways

Jewel Thief focuses on a diamond heist featuring the Red Sun.
The film marks a significant return of Saif Ali Khan in his classic style.
Jaideep Ahlawat is expected to surprise audiences with his transformation.
Siddharth Anand plays a crucial role in the film’s development.
Gulati's previous work in a similar genre adds comfort to the project.

Mumbai, April 16 (NationPress) The director of Jewel Thief, Kookie Gulati, asserts that India has been devoid of a genuine heist film for quite some time.

When questioned about what distinguishes the Saif Ali Khan-led movie, Gulati shared with IANS, "Jewel Thief centers around a diamond heist featuring a rare African diamond known as Red Sun. It’s been ages since India has experienced a real heist film, and that’s what thrilled me. The ensemble cast is outstanding—Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta—such a distinctive combination. Saif returns in his iconic cool persona, the classic Saif we all adore."

The director expressed that actor Jaideep Ahlawat will astonish viewers as they will witness him in a fresh look and tone.

Elaborating on the inspiration behind the film's dual theme, Gulati remarked, "To be honest, the primary motivator was Siddharth Anand. He’s the producer, and when he reached out to me with the project, I was eager to take it on. Many of my old friends are part of this, and I’ve always had a strong rapport with him. I greatly admire Siddharth as a filmmaker. This is his domain, and it’s a genre I personally find engaging."

He mentioned that his debut film, Prince, was also in a similar vein, making him feel at home in this genre. Thus, when approached for Jewel Thief, he readily agreed.

Upon being asked about the creative force behind Jewel Thief, he revealed that Siddharth Anand is the film's guiding star.

He stated, "It’s his narrative—he conceived and penned it. However, when a writer or producer entrusts a project to a director, they expect him to infuse it with his essence, and I’ve done precisely that. When I joined the project, some footage had already been filmed by a prior director. Siddharth and I collaborated to rewrite the script and reshoot scenes. I added my unique touch to ensure it reflects my vision."

Jewel Thief is set to captivate audiences starting April 25, 2025.