EXCLUSIVE: “Despite KILL being an extreme action film, it’s a love story at the end of the day,” reveals director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

KILL, which is produced by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, takes place entirely inside a train.

By Keyur Seta -

January 13, 2024 - 7:27 PM IST

Filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s KILL has been in the news in recent months for its successful run at a few international film festivals and the fact that it’s produced by two major names Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor. The film is a high-octane action movie, as is evident from its poster featuring the debutant Lakshya. But in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Nikhil revealed that it’s more than that.

EXCLUSIVE: “Despite KILL being an extreme action film, it’s a love story at the end of the day,” reveals director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

“It’s an extreme action film but made with a lot of heart,” he said. “And at the soul of the film, it’s a love story. Despite the fact that it’s an extreme action film, it’s a love story at the end of the day. Also, it’s not for the faint-hearted. I don’t think we have seen this kind of extreme action coming out of India.”

The filmmaker has an interesting back story to the film’s idea that goes back to his childhood. “I had this story with me since long. The entire film is set on a train. During my childhood, I used to stay in Pune and study in Patna. So, I used to travel in train a lot. At that time, the journey used to take 36 to 40 hours. So, this story comes out of a personal experience. I had seen such an incident back then and it had been stamped on my mind. Things we see during childhood get inscribed on our minds even more,” he said.

While sharing how the two producers came on board, Nikhil said that he and Guneet had worked earlier and they always wanted to work again. “When I met her (Guneet), I told her that it’s an extreme action film and I don’t think anybody would have the appetite to make it in India. I told her it’s too gory and challenging. Guneet said if it’s challenging then we should definitely make it,” he said.

Nikhil then wrote the story in short from the idea he had in mind and he and Guneet went to meet Karan Johar. “I started narrating him (Karan) the story and by mid-point Karan said, ‘We are doing it.’ So, it was actually that smooth a journey for the film. I am so blessed that I have producers like Guneet and Karan who can see the vision in the story. It’s an extreme action film and I had never shot action in my life before that,” he said.

KILL also stars Raghav Juyal in the role of the antagonist.

Also Read: KILL director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat on the film’s screening at Red Sea Film Festival, “This hard-core action film is a testament to the talent of all involved”