**Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins** features two directors, yet neither seems present when their guidance is most needed. The storyline drifts aimlessly, supported by a script that feels hastily scribbled. This just might be Netflix’s worst original film to date. While the conclusion hints at a sequel, one can only hope it’s never realized.

The film’s execution exemplifies the notion that heist narratives can lead to disappointment. It’s hard to fathom how such poorly crafted material passed through Netflix’s approval process. What were the decision-makers thinking? And what drove stars Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat to take part in this dismal endeavor?

I found myself questioning reality, struggling to comprehend the lackluster suspense, cliché plot twists, uninspired dialogues, and the gaudy portrayals of wealth. The repetitive shattering of glass walls to indicate chaos adds up to nothing—just a collection of low-quality moments.

I anticipated some compelling confrontations between the lead characters, but Ahlawat and Khan are left with lines that feel more like casual chatter at a toll booth. There’s little substance to their characters, and it appears they might be in it just for fun—financial motivation certainly seems a factor. I hope they enjoyed the experience; unfortunately, viewers did not share in that enjoyment.

Ahlawat’s performance particularly disappointed me. It seems his rising stardom has burdened him with a character that resorts to juvenile antics to try and mimic the charm of Saif’s character, Rehan Roy. However, the story provides no space for any character development.

Burdened by lazy writing, **Jewel Thief** feels like an underdeveloped heist drama that seems out of place in this era. The treatment and plot devices are outdated, reminiscent of a 1970s film where fragments of glass equated to valuable treasures.

The film’s absurdities include a poorly scripted in-flight altercation meant to showcase Rehan in a positive light, which ultimately fails. There’s no effort to lend credibility to the heist, nor to provide any resolution. Each twist feels like a nail in the coffin.

What we have here is not a film, but a trap reminding us that heist stories may have outlived their welcome in cinema. Long live **Dhoom**.

**Rating: ***

Views expressed are personal.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal expressed heartfelt gratitude following the positive reception of his film ‘Thudarum,’ which premiered on Friday. He conveyed his deep appreciation for the overwhelming love and support the film has garnered, stating he was “deeply moved and truly humbled” by the audience’s response.

Taking to his X timeline shortly after the movie’s evident success, the actor shared, “I’m deeply moved and truly humbled by the love and heartfelt response for #Thudarum. Every message and word of appreciation has touched me in ways I can’t fully articulate.”

He continued, “Thank you for opening your hearts to this story, for recognizing its essence, and for embracing it with such grace. This gratitude extends beyond me; it belongs to everyone who was part of this journey, pouring their love, effort, and spirit into each frame.”

Mohanlal specifically thanked his collaborators: “To Renjith M, Tharun Moorthy, KR Sunil, Shobhana, Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma, Shaji Kumar, Jakes Bejoy, and our remarkable team — your talent and dedication shaped Thudarum.”

He emphasized that the film was crafted with care, purpose, and authenticity, noting, “To see it resonate so profoundly is more than rewarding; it is a true blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, with love and lasting gratitude.”

Directed by Tharun Moorthy, ‘Thudarum’ was eagerly anticipated, notably marking the return of actress Shobana opposite Mohanlal after nearly 19 years. Their pairing is a beloved fixture in Malayalam cinema, with memorable films such as *Manichithrathazhu*, *Thenmavi Kombathu*, and *Mambazhakkalam* showcasing their chemistry.

Additionally, ‘Thudarum’ is significant as Mohanlal’s 360th film and his 56th collaboration with Shobana. The film features music by Jakes Bejoy and cinematography by Shaji Kumar. It was penned by K.R. Sunil and Tharun Moorthy, with editing by Shafeeque V.B. and Nishadh Yusuf.

Fans at the Chepauk stadium for the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) enjoyed an unexpected treat on Friday night when Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar showed up with his family.

The crowd erupted in cheers as cameras captured Ajith, who appeared to relish the game, alongside his wife Shalini and their two children. He acknowledged the fans’ affection with a thumbs-up gesture.

Ajith’s attendance was particularly surprising, as the actor is known for his low-profile lifestyle and infrequent public appearances.

This outing followed a special occasion, as Ajith had just celebrated 25 years of marriage with Shalini, marking the event with a cake-cutting ceremony. Shalini shared a touching video on her Instagram at midnight, featuring the couple feeding each other a slice of cake while Tina Turner’s “The Best” played in the background.

Following the match, Ajith is expected to return to Europe to participate in various car races scheduled until September. His racing team, Ajith Kumar Racing, has earned accolades for representing India well, including a third-place finish at the Dubai Autodrome in January and another third place at the Mugello Circuit in Italy in March. More recently, the team claimed second place at the Creventic Endurance Race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup category.

Upcoming Creventic races for Ajith Kumar will take place at the Misano World Circuit on May 24, Circuit Paul Ricard on July 5, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on September 27. Additionally, Ajith Kumar Racing will compete in the GT4 European Series, a renowned platform for GT4-spec racing across Europe’s iconic circuits.

The GT4 European Series race previously taking place at Paul Ricard from April 11-13 will continue at Zandvoort, Netherlands from May 16-18, Spa, Belgium from June 26-29, Misano, Italy from July 18-20, Nürburgring, Germany from August 29-31, and conclude in Barcelona, Spain from October 10-12.