For Saif Ali Khan, Marflix Productions’s Jewel Thief — The Heist Begins wasn’t just another film, it was a dive into an electrifying parallel universe. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, the action heist film, that streams on Netflix today, features Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor.

In the film, Saif plays Rehan Roy, a charming rogue with a penchant for rebellion, an adventurous spirit and a deep-seated love for family. Reflecting on playing Rehan, Saif shares: “Playing a thief in a heist movie is very interesting because he is someone who challenges the system, bending the rules... it’s kind of fascinating to watch and read through and portray. Rehan is a thief with organisation, with swag, an adventurer at heart and a family man. He is the quintessential Hindi film hero in that sense — breaks rules, cons people but is kind at heart and you see the bigger picture. It was this dynamic that made him irresistible to portray and I believe attractive to watch.”

However it wasn’t just Rehan’s complexity that drew Saif in. It was the hyper-stylised world of Jewel Thief. A blend of high-octane action, surreal flair and comic-book energy that made filming feel more like living out a fantasy. “You don’t get offers like this every day,” Saif says. “It is addictive because you’re living in an alternate universe full of energy. It is a world of red diamonds, mafia dons with guns, whisky glasses being thrown at people’s faces, people kicking you out of windows, high-octane action, now robbing some museum, its action-packed yet fantastical. Rehan’s character is cool, larger-than-life, set in this neon universe, feels like a comic book, so it is really cool and fun. Filming was so much fun that when I got home, I was itching to come back and knew it would be weird when it’s over.” He adds: “I think actors talk about how to get a film out of your system, I feel like this one will take time because I had an absolute blast shooting it.”