“500 Shots Right, 3 Go Wrong — VFX Trolls Don’t See the Full Picture”: Kookie Gulati Hits Back

Mumbai (Maharashtra)[India] 19 April: In a recent interview with The Filmy Charcha, director Kookie Gulati spoke about his latest Netflix film Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins. The movie has already created excitement among fans with its thrilling teaser and strong star cast. Kookie talked about the buzz around the film and how it’s a complete entertainment package. Everyone is eagerly waiting for this stylish thriller to drop on Netflix. With action, suspense, and drama coming together, this film looks promising and is expected to be a fun, thrilling watch for the audience.

We asked Kookie how he views the rise of AI and VFX in cinema, especially in light of how often VFX-heavy films get trolled.

Kookie candidly shared, “VFX is meant to enhance the viewer experience by achieving visuals that aren't physically possible. Of course, it's a complex process—challenging and very expensive.” He pointed out that if a film has 500 to 800 VFX shots, even if just 2 or 3 of them don’t land right, audiences often label the whole film as having ‘bad VFX’. “Log achhe shots notice hi nahi karte,” he said, adding that this perception needs to change.

Kookie gave examples of big-budget Hollywood films that sometimes get it wrong too. “Waha multi-billion dollar budgets hote hain, phir bhi kuch shots off ho jaate hain,” he said. His message? “Watch the film for what it is, flaws ko samajh ke chhodiye, aur film ka mazza lijiye. Criticism hona chahiye, but for the right reasons.”

The film stars Saif Ali Khan in a bold comeback role, leading the charge. Alongside him are Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta. This group brings both talent and excitement to the film. Kookie shared that working with such great actors gave him the freedom to try new ideas. He was able to push the thrill factor because the actors were strong enough to handle complex scenes. The cast is one of the main reasons the film looks fresh and exciting. Their chemistry and performances will keep the audience fully engaged from start to finish.

Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins follows the story of a smart thief who is hired to steal one of the world’s rarest diamonds—the African Red Sun. But things don’t go as planned. The story is full of twists, turns, and surprises. The thriller mixes action, adventure, and drama, creating a gripping experience. As the heist gets more dangerous, secrets come out and alliances change. Viewers will be taken on a wild ride from start to end. Also, fun trivia—this movie brings Saif Ali Khan and Siddharth Anand back together after 18 years since Ta Ra Rum Pum!