Kookie Gulati on giving Saif Ali Khan’s Jewel Thief a Bollywood spin

(Clockwise) Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat in the film

Gloss, style, and scale are not lacking in Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, but many feel the Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat-led crime caper has neither the smarts nor the taut storytelling expected of the genre. Kookie Gulati, who has helmed the Netflix film with Robbie Grewal, isn't perturbed by the audience's mixed reactions.

The director shares that he was brought on board by producers Siddharth and Mamta Anand to design it as a "commercial entertainer", a count he has delivered on. "At some point in the shoot, they realised that they wanted it to be more of a Bollywood commercial entertainer with glamour and songs. The makers thought I could bring that to the film. That's when I took over from Robbie, who had other commitments that were overlapping with the shoot. If I came on board, I had to make it mine. [We] added three more songs. I also rewrote parts of the script, and shot many action pieces, including Jaideep and Saif's confrontation."

Kookie Gulati

Jewel Thief sees Saif Ali Khan and Ahlawat's characters trying to outwit each other in their attempt to rob a rare diamond. Having worked with both actors, Gulati is impressed by their distinct approach to their craft. "Saif would be constantly talking to me about the film, the scene and his character. Jaideep comes prepared; he always brings his A-game on set. He discusses a scene thoroughly before the shoot, and when the camera rolls, he adds subtle touches to his character."

After the testosterone-heavy crime caper, Gulati's next will be a woman-led actioner. Admittedly ‘charged' about his next, the director reveals, "It's about a strong woman who finds herself in a dangerous situation. It's a high-octane thriller with an emotional twist."