Running Time: 105 Minutes
Certification: 18
Starring: Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala, Abhishek Chauhan, Ashish Vidhyarthi, Adrija Sinha, Harsh Chhaya, Parth Tiwari, Akshay Vichare
With a title like Kill, expectations are immediately set regarding the film. Instead of jumping straight into the brawls, writer/director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat exercises restraint to establish what is at stake. Viewers are introduced to army commando Amrit (Lakshya Lalwani) as he returns from a mission, although any hopes of relaxation are pushed aside upon turning on his phone, where Amrit discovers that his girlfriend, Tulika (Tanya Maniktala), is forcibly engaged..
Ready to enact his plan, Amrit boards a train to New Delhi intending to whisk away his beloved for her arranged marriage. Those aims are thrown into disarray when the ruthless Fani (Raghav Juyal) leads a gang of knife-wielding thieves to terrorize the train's innocent passengers. It is now up to Amrit to stop the thieves and save his beloved.
Considering that synopsis, it can be rather surprising how Bhat has the story initially unfold. A notable amount of time is spent setting things up, with the evident chemistry between Lalwani and Maniktala selling their charming romance. It is easy to buy into the depths of their love, as the couple refuses to let the circumstances stop them from being together, regardless of the terror which comes their way. It is clear that they are still holding onto their humanity, and this is reflected in how the fights may be impressive, yet feel like something is being held back.
And then the title card drops. The lead's eyes show that nothing is being held back anymore, as the commando transforms into an utter demon that intends to leave none of the bandits alive. Items like a fire extinguisher and a toilet are weaponized with jaw-dropping lethality, while one moment results in cinema's best Ghost Rider impression. There is even an eye-catching display of Amrit's talents in a scene that could have been crafted by a slasher villain. If Snowpiercer, Die Hard, Mandy, and The Raid were put into a blender, this would be the blood-soaked result.
The impact of this propulsive work strikes like a hammer to the head, yet it crucially never forgets about the characters' relationships. Alongside Amrit protecting his beloved and her family, the bonds are effectively displayed with the massive family of antagonists. The impact of each exceptionally crafted kill is shown in their devastated reactions, reminding viewers of their own humanity without dulling the action spectacle on show. And with hissable antagonists like the chilling Fani, prepare to thirst for the spilling of more blood.
Mere days before this film release, it was announced that an English language remake was in the works. Considering it has the producers of the John Wick franchise involved, one is hopeful of the carnage it will deliver, although it is tough to imagine a more thrilling experience than this original work. If Monkey Man raised the bar for action cinema in 2024, then Kill snaps the bar and uses it to bash the competition to a grisly pulp.
Kill is available in cinemas now
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