Kill

Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's Kill is a blistering thriller that upends the conventional expectations of Indian cinema, pushing the boundaries of action filmmaking with its relentless brutality and narrow, claustrophobic setting. From the moment the train leaves the station, the film plunges the audience into a world of visceral violence, where the rules of engagement are simple: kill or be killed.

At first glance, the plot is deceptively simple. Amrit Rathod, played by Laksh Lalwani in his feature debut, is a National Security Guard commando deeply in love with Tulika, played by Tanya Maniktala. Tulika, however, is trapped in an arranged marriage orchestrated by her powerful father, Baldev Singh Thakur, played by Harsh Chhaya. Determined to save her from this fate, Amrit boards an overnight train bound for New Delhi, hoping to elope with Tulika and start a new life. This romantic premise, though melodramatic and familiar, only serves to set the stage for the explosive carnage that follows.

The real plot of Kill kicks off with the introduction of Fani, a ruthless bandit leader played with frightening menace by Raghav Juyal. Fani and his band of thugs board the same train with the intention of robbing the passengers and possibly kidnapping Tulika's wealthy father for ransom. What follows is a descent into madness as the bandits, who initially intended to commit a simple robbery, escalate their brutality when they realize they've bitten off more than they can chew with Amrit on board.

Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's direction in Kill is simply masterful when it comes to orchestrating the chaos in the confined spaces of the train. The action sequences are a breathtaking blend of martial arts choreography and pure, unbridled savagery. Every compartment of the train becomes a new battlefield, where anything and everything is a potential weapon - kukris, fire extinguishers, toilet bowls and even lighter fluid. The film's cinematography, directed by Rafey Mahmood, captures these battles with dizzying intensity, never losing sight of the characters' movements despite the fast pace and confined space.

Laksh Lalwani, in the role of Amrit, is a revelation. Although his character is relatively one-dimensional, motivated almost exclusively by his love for Tulika and his unyielding desire to protect her, Laksh Lalwani brings to the role a physicality that is both impressive and terrifying. As the film progresses, Amrit transforms from a love-struck commando into a relentless killing machine, his actions driven by a mixture of desperation and fury. The film makes it clear that Amrit's journey is not just about saving Tulika, but also about sinking into a moral abyss where the line between hero and monster becomes dangerously blurred.

The film's most striking feature is its violence. From the moment the title card appears - almost 45 minutes into the film - Kill strips itself of any pretence of being a conventional action thriller. The gore is graphic, the kills are inventive and the body count is unbelievably high. Nagesh Nikhil Nagesh Bhat is not afraid of the implications of such violence; on the contrary, he immerses himself in it, making the audience complicit in the carnage. This approach is reminiscent of Gareth Evans' The Raid, but with a distinct Indian flavor that sets Kill apart from its international counterparts.

Raghav Juyal's portrayal of Fani is another highlight of the film. Fani isn't just a villain, he's a force of nature who embodies pure evil. Raghav Juyal brings a sly charisma to his role, making Fani a character audiences will love to hate. Her interactions with Amrit are among the film's most captivating moments, as the two characters engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse, each trying to outwit the other in the narrow corridors of the train.

Despite its many strengths, Kill is not without its faults. The film's relentless pace and emphasis on action leave little room for character development or emotional depth. Tulika, for example, remains largely a damsel in distress, her character serving more as a plot device than a fully-realized individual. Similarly, the film's secondary characters, such as Amrit's comrade Viresh (played by Abhishek Chauhan), are under-exploited, existing mainly to support Amrit's journey rather than having their own story.

What's more, the film's depiction of violence, while expertly executed, can become overwhelming. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat seems almost too enamored of ultraviolence, returning again and again to motifs of blood and gore that, while initially shocking, ultimately risk becoming unbearable. The film's tone, though consistent, is relentlessly grim, which could alienate some viewers in search of moments of levity or respite.

These few flaws in no way detract from Kill's impact as a groundbreaking work of Indian action cinema. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's willingness to push the boundaries, both in terms of content and style, makes him a filmmaker unafraid to challenge the status quo. The film's conclusion, like its opening, is a punch in the gut, unforgiving and unforgettable.

Kill is a brutal, blood-soaked film that will appeal to fans of high-octane action movies. It's not a film for the faint of heart, but for those who can stomach its relentless violence, it offers a unique and exhilarating experience. In the landscape of Indian cinema, Kill stands out as a bold experiment in genre cinema, heralding Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and Laksh Lalwani as talents to watch in the years to come. It's a film that demands to be seen, not just for its action but also for its audacity - a veritable canon of carnage that leaves a lasting mark on its audience.

Kill
Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Written by Ayesha Syed, Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Story by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Produced by Karan Johar, Guneet Monga, Apoorva Mehta, Achin Jain
Starring Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Tanya Maniktala, Abhishek Chauhan
Cinematography : Rafey Mehmood
Edited by Shivkumar V. Panicker
Music by Ketan Sodha
Production companies : Dharma Productions, Sikhya Entertainment
Distributed by AA Films (India), Lionsgate (United States), Originals Factory ((France)
Release dates 7 September 2023 (TIFF), 5 July 2024 (India), July 4 2024 (United States), September 11 2024 (France)
Running time : 105 minutes

Viewed July 24 on VOD

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