Amrit (Lakshya) is a battle hardened commando of the National Army of India. He has faced off against numerous enemies and always comes out on top. Yet, there is one person with the power to bring this man to his knees – the love of his life, the beautiful Tulika (Tanya Maniktala).
Returning from a mission, Amrit is alarmed to discover that his true love has been engaged to another man against her will. Her rich and powerful father Baldev Singh Thakur (Harsh Chhaya) has locked Tulika into an arranged marriage that she cannot escape from. However, Amrit is a regular Prince Charming and rides in to rescue his princess. He and fellow soldier Viresh (Abhishek Chauhan) board a train carrying the bride’s family to New Delhi.
Unbeknownst to Amrit, a gang of bandits led by the psychotic and unpredictable Fani (Raghav Juyal) have joined in on the ride. What begins as a simple robbery turns into a kidnapping when Fani discovers the identity of Tulika‘s wealthy father. But these criminals have no idea who they’re fucking with and Amrit springs into action. Fani may have dozens of men but Amrit isn’t trapped on the train with them, they’re trapped on board with him!
While I’m always excited to see the latest violent Hollywood action spectacle, they have grown a little stale. The rise in popularity of international offerings like the epic ‘RRR’ shows audiences are seeking something different. This is where ‘Kill’ delivers as filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh Bhat brings us a hyperviolent mix of romance, brutality and martial arts.
Kill at first may seem familiar in some ways being like a cross of Die Hard and John Wick, but what makes this film stand out is the way it revels in bucking trends of action films we’ve come to expect. Early on, there is more of a focus on the romantic subplot between Amrit and Tulika which heightens the sudden explosion of violence seen in the film’s latter half. As well, there are many conventions which even the more exotic action films adhere to. However, Kill breaks all the rules subverting expectations with its brutality, characters and story. The changing in power dynamics over the course of the film are frequent as Amrit turns the tables on his foes.
This gang of violent thieves are a family and filmmaker Bhat never forgets this. Every slaughtered opponent of Amrit‘s is met with howls of anguish from their loved ones. Almost to such a point where we begin to feel pity on the bad guys for this hell they’ve unleashed upon themselves. Something I don’t think ever seen in a film with a body count this high!
And if a full on intensely violent brawler is what you’re after, then Kill has it in spades. Featuring the talented choreography of Parvez Shaikh and Se-yeong Oh, every bone smashing, spine shattering and skull crushing impact is delivered with gusto. The blood flows freely and everything is used as a weapon from hammers to knives, fire extinguishers to toilet seats! The kills in Kill have the creativity of a slasher movie and everything is so completely over the top, one might think a more apt title for the film would be overkill!
Something I was worried about early on was that Kill makes a feature of its claustrophobic setting. The cramped and still crowded passenger carriages often feeling stifling and not the most accommodating place for a fight to the death. All shot wonderfully by cinematographer Rafey Mehmood, with unique camera angles, diverse encounters and imaginative violence, Kill never grows tiresome throughout its manageable two hour runtime.
Kill is bound to be the next action cult classic and I’m excited to see the future careers of both star Lakshya and director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat. The film is unique thanks to its international origins yet feels approachable even new audiences of Hindi films. Kill provides a kickass mix of simple yet compelling story, subversion of expectations, and ultra violence. I’m dying to go back and rewatch it already!