Actress Nikita Dutta is stepping into the spotlight with the upcoming Netflix original film Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, slated to release on April 25, 2025. Co-starring Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Kunal Kapoor, the film is a stylish crime thriller revolving around a global heist tied to the mythical African Red Sun diamond. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, the film is one of Netflix India’s most anticipated original features of the year.
Dutta as Farah: A Key Role in the Heist Narrative
In Jewel Thief, Nikita Dutta plays Farah, a character central to the planning and execution of the heist. With layers of intrigue, emotional tension, and strategic manipulation, Farah represents a bold departure from Dutta’s earlier romantic or dramatic roles. Speaking about her role in a recent interview, Dutta shared: “Farah is fierce, complicated, and unpredictable—a dream role for any actor. Jewel Thief allowed me to blend intensity with glamour in a high-stakes setup.”
Soundtrack Creates Pre-Release Buzz
The soundtrack of Jewel Thief is already making waves online. The song ‘Jaadu’, released on April 9, features Dutta in a dazzling sequence with Saif Ali Khan, blending suspense with seduction. The second track ‘Ilzaam’ is scheduled to release on April 17, and early leaks suggest a moody, plot-revealing montage. The musical promotions have added to the film’s growing popularity ahead of its global Netflix debut.
Beyond ‘Jewel Thief’: Nikita Dutta’s Recent Highlights
Nikita Dutta has had a dynamic year in entertainment, seamlessly crossing into diverse roles and genres. She stars in The Waking of a Nation (SonyLIV), where she plays Poonam, a courageous figure in a historical series set during the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The series premiered on March 7, 2025, and received critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances. In 2024, Dutta made her Marathi debut in Gharat Ganpati, earning praise for her authentic portrayal in this spiritually grounded drama. The film was India’s shortlist entry for the 97th Academy Awards.
Style, Philanthropy, and Public Appearances
On April 14, Dutta attended The Word Magazine Gala Night, where she supported a fundraiser for mental health awareness and women’s rights. She wore a minimalist black fusion saree and received accolades for her red carpet look. She also shared behind-the-scenes moments from the Jewel Thief trailer launch on Instagram, offering fans glimpses of her camaraderie with the cast and insight into the film’s making.
Nikita Dutta Reinvents Herself with Every Role – And ‘Jewel Thief’ May Be Her Biggest Yet
From period dramas to high-octane thrillers, Nikita Dutta is emerging as one of the most adaptable talents in contemporary Indian cinema. With Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, she’s entering a new league of performance—one that blends craft with commercial appeal. As fans await the April 25 release on Netflix, all eyes are on Dutta’s portrayal of Farah—an enigmatic figure at the heart of a billion-dollar heist.
Get Ready for a Heist: Netflix's 'Jewel Thief' Debuts This April
The countdown begins for Netflix's much-anticipated film Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, starring Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta in pivotal roles. In a conversation with ANI, the lead cast shared their thoughts on the film, their roles, and what audiences can expect from this high-octane thriller set to stream from April 25.
Jaideep Ahlawat, who steps into the role of Rajan Aulakh, described the film as an intense, fast-paced ride. "Whatever you need in a heist story, it should be a good plot, it should be pacy, it should be sharp, it should have twists and turns, it's like a roller coaster ride. So, we have tried our best to bring that, and I am sure you all will like it," he shared.
Kunal Kapoor, portraying the hard-nosed cop Vikram Patel, noted the clarity and strength in character writing. "I think everyone else's character is grey. My character is a character who is black and white... a very straightforward, ruthless cop," he said, adding, "It depends on the writing, not on me. If the character is well written, then you don't need to struggle."
Nikita Dutta, who plays Farah, expressed her excitement about being the only female actor among a powerful male ensemble. "It's a dream to be a part of this kind of world," she said, praising producer Siddharth Anand's signature style of presenting women glamorously. Speaking about her enigmatic character, she added, "A lot of people have actually come to me and asked... they are not able to understand what am I up to in the film. Which I really enjoy because I feel like that's the mystery that this character comes with."
Talking about breaking new ground, Ahlawat also reflected on performing a dance sequence, 'Jaadu', on screen for the first time. "No one had seen me dance before, so everyone was a little surprised. But I enjoyed it a lot," he said, crediting his co-stars for their support.
As for future aspirations, Kapoor revealed a desire to explore more physically and emotionally explosive roles, contrasting the restrained personas he has usually portrayed. "It'll be interesting to play a part that's completely out there emotionally and out of control," he noted.
Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, Jewel Thief follows the story of a charming thief (Saif Ali Khan) and his partner (Jaideep Ahlawat) who plot to steal the ultra-rare African Red Sun diamond while being chased by a determined detective (Kunal Kapoor). Produced by Marflix Pictures, this marks the studio's first streaming venture in collaboration with Netflix. Producers Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand had earlier emphasized the film's style and ambition, saying, "With Jewel Thief, we wanted to create a cinematic universe that felt both classic and fresh--a modern-day heist with emotion and pace."
As Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins makes its debut, audiences can anticipate a mix of cinematic style and thrilling action. The film is set to hit Netflix on April 25, 2025, and promises to deliver an engaging heist experience for viewers.