"Before and after each action scene, there is emotional turmoil."
Kill is an electrifying canvas of violence and action.
The film tells the story of an army commando officer who must fight with every breath to save himself and many innocent people.
Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the movie is set almost entirely on a train.
Kill depicts courage, bravery, and brute strength from both sides of the battle.
The film was released on July 5, 2024. It is concise, snappy, and full of adrenaline.
Gripping performances adorn the movie, giving goosebumps to the audience.
Are you wondering whether to invest nearly two hours in the film?
DESIblitz is here to help you decide if you should watch Kill or not.
A Violent Story
As the title suggests, Kill projects just that: bloodshed, gore, and murder.
So, as you walk into the cinema, you should know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Violent films are nothing new in Bollywood.
Films like Ghajini (2008), Vikram Vedha (2022), and Animal (2023) have all fully embraced this element.
However, Kill takes it to an entirely different level.
The violence is so deep and driven by such forces of rage.
This film tells the story of an army commando named Amrit (Lakshya).
He is in love with Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) and boards a train to stop her from marrying someone else.
Accompanying him is his friend and fellow soldier Viresh (Abhishek Chauhan).
When the train is hijacked by a family of bandits, it is up to Amrit and Viresh to save the innocent passengers.
They must also protect Tulika and her family, including her father Baldev Singh Thakur (Harsh Chhaya) and younger sister Ahaana (Adrija Singh).
The battle between good and bad reaches such grotesque levels of violence and rage that viewers fight to look away.
Yet, they cannot, lest they miss a single moment.
Each second of every frame is pivotal to the story.
There are deaths, knives, and guns flying around. On the face of it, the story doesn’t sound too original.
However, the action is what makes Kill stand out. That is what infuses emotion into the story.
Gripping Performances
In a 2022 interview, superstar Aamir Khan said: “As an audience member, I won’t be interested in an action film if there’s just action happening.
“You look at Ghajini. It’s an action film. But why is that action happening?”
The words of Aamir show that it is essential for an action film to have emotion and strong performances for the audience to connect with it.
Kill has gripping performances at its core.
As Amrit, the newcomer Lakshya nails the role with every pore of his being. He performs the action scenes with finesse and conviction.
The rage in his eyes every time he wields a weapon or raises his fists is so palpable that viewers could get charged up along with Amrit.
A key member of the bandits Amrit fights against is the ruthless Fani (Raghav Juyal), who is so merciless and menacing that viewers want him to face consequences.
If Raghav’s performance lacked even the smallest ounce of strength, the character could have faltered.
However, in the hands of Raghav, Fani is abject and detestable. It makes the ride even more memorable.
The actors behind the rest of the bandits are terrific too, striking just the right balance between action and emotion.
As Tulika, Tanya Maniktala attempts to add some vigour, but the character is too one-dimensional to give her a chance to create an impact as hard-hitting as the others.
The romance between Amrit and Tulika appears forced and rushed. It almost feels like it was created just to pave way for the action that is the majority of Kill.
Just a little more depth to this strand could have given the film more layers.
Yet, a twist involving Tulika is so significant that you instantly connect with Amrit.
However, one could want to connect more with Tulika too and there isn’t much scope for that.
Abhishek Chauhan also deserves a highlight as the faithful aid to Amrit. He acts just as convincingly as Lakshya.
The duo create such a memorable partnership that you’re rooting for them all the way.
Music
Kill does not demand typical romantic tracks of Bollywood, but it does require a score to justify the tension and the thrills.
The composers for the film include Vikram Montrose and Shashwat Sachev.
Their score for the film is undeniably sublime. It perfectly illustrates the violence and the heartbreak as a result of it.
In a review of Kill, Dishya Sharma from News18 writes:
“Musicians Vikram Montrose and Shashwat Sachdev elevate the film with their powerful background score and music.
“What I liked the most about Kill is that Nikhil did not introduce unnecessary songs and music, despite a romantic angle involved.”
As much as songs are a fixture in the Bollywood firmament, needless romantic tracks could have derailed the screenplay.
By not incorporating such elements, Kill stays true to its story and its purpose.
For that, Vikram and Shashwat deserve applause.
Direction & Execution
In films with bloodshed and gore, there is a danger that they could be accused of glorifying violence.
For example, Animal faced such accusations upon its release.
Director Nikhil delves into the violence in Kill:
“Before and after each action scene, there is emotional turmoil.
“We couldn’t reduce the action because every action scene is a plot point in the film.
“It’s so rooted to the story itself that you can’t just take a chunk of action out.”
Emotion is indeed the heart of the film, even if it seems like a gory massacre on the face of it.
The slick camerawork, the carefully crafted action, and the cinematography are all fantastic elements that enable Kill to be the visual spectacle it is.
There are moments, particularly towards the final moments of the film, where the audience could feel exhausted of all the blows and punches.
A feeling could stir of just wanting everyone to perish so we can all go home.
However, Kill importantly takes its time, to convey its theme of never giving up and fighting for justice.
The film is a victory for all involved.
Kill is a painstaking labour of force that has been designed to take viewers on a thrilling ride.
Each scene is essential viewing and don’t be fooled: you’re not going in for anything but pure action.
However, the film succeeds in its storytelling and purpose of showing goodness prevail.
Although it could be argued that the violence is a little too monstrous, it is performed with conviction and courage.
At a run time of approximately one hour and 40 minutes, the film is a landmark in the history of Hindi action cinema.
So, if you’re an action buff with a fascination for celluloid violence, Kill is a film for you.
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