‘Kill’ing it at the Toronto International Film Festival
“Kill,” directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and produced by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga, is a Hindi-language action thriller that pushes the boundaries of violence and intensity in Indian cinema. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, it earned accolades as the first runner-up for the People’s Choice Award: Midnight Madness.
“Kill” is set for a wide release in July 2024.
In an exclusive interview with India Currents’ Monita Soni, Director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, thrilled at the initial success of “Kill,” shared that the story originated from a bizarre experience he had while traveling.
A nightmare on rails
Years ago, Bhat fell asleep on a cross-country train ride, only to discover on reaching his destination that the cars on either side of his “bogey” had been robbed by dacoits (armed bandits.) This surreal incident stayed with Bhat and became the seed for “Kill.” The 40 bandits in the film may simply reference the 40 thieves in the tale of Alladin.
The film centers on Amrit (Lakshya Lalwani), an Indian army commando, and his friend Viresh (Abhishek Chauhan), who embark on a last-minute journey aboard the famed Rajdhani Express. Amrit’s girlfriend, the beautiful Tulika (Tanya Maniktala, who made waves in her role as Lata in “A Suitable Boy”) accompanies the duo.
What begins as a brave plan to whisk his beloved away from the shackles of an arranged marriage quickly turns into a bloodbath! The film’s relentless violence can make even the faint-hearted squirm, transforming what could have been a romantic escape into a nightmare on rails.
A gang of ruthless bandits led by Fani (the effervescent Raghav Juyal) and his father Beni (Ashish Vidyarthi) hijack the train, forcing the commandos to use their martial arts skills in a series of brutal and graphic confrontations to rescue the passengers.
Relentless Violence
What sets “Kill” apart is its relentless and visceral action, choreographed by Se-yeong Oh, known for his work on “Snowpiercer,” and Parvez Shaikh, who brings a distinctive “desi” flair to the moves. The film eschews the typical Bollywood treatment of violence. There’s no “dhishoom dhishoom” here; instead, the action is terrifying, gritty, traumatic, and subhuman.
The editing is crisp, and the grim, dark, and realistic cinematography does not rely on computer graphics. The film’s dangerous game of survival rivals the intensity of films like “The Raid” and “The Night Comes for Us.” The use of everyday implements on the train -head-splitting toilet seats and fire extinguishers used to bludgeon the antagonists, ensures that each fight sequence is a spectacle of blood-soaked brutality.
Reception and Critical Acclaim
Critics have lauded “Kill” for its unexpected and unapologetic embrace of violence, particularly from the perspective of Indian cinema, and its masterful execution of close-quarters combat in a moving train.
Karan Johar, in an interview with India Currents, called it a “Dhamaka!” Envisioning and executing the combat on a slow-moving train was particularly challenging says Guneet Monga, a claim corroborated by the handsome young actor Lakshya Lalwani who emphasized the relentless preparation and shooting that resulted in a shockingly intense finished product.
“Kill” is a landmark film in an industry known for more stylized depictions of violence and is destined for cult status among connoisseurs of genre film.
Cinematic Comparisons
While comparisons to Bong Joon Ho’s “Snowpiercer” are inevitable due to the fight choreography, “Kill” distinguishes itself with a uniquely Indian iteration and narrative depth. The film’s ability to maintain high tension and deliver continuous, innovative action sequences places it above recent releases. The storyline reminds one of the 1998 action thriller The Seige in which terrorists attack a bus in Brooklyn.
“Kill” will make its US and UK debut on July 4th 2024, marketed by Lionsgate Entertainment. After watching this film, I doubt I’ll be able to fall asleep on any moving train again.
