Hunting for the baddie

Kill maker Guneet recounts how she went through 100 auditions before choosing Raghav as the actioner’s menacing villain
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 16, 2024)

If the recently unveiled trailer of Kill is any indication, director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and actor Lakshya are set to give us a fast-paced and relentlessly violent action film. And where there is an action fare, there is a menacing villain. Guneet Monga Kapoor, who has produced the July 5 release with Karan Johar, says finding the right actor for the villain was the toughest part; that is, until she saw Raghav Juyal’s audition. 

She says, “We took 100 auditions and Raghav stood out to us. We were searching for someone who could bring an unusual blend of menace and humour to the role, a character who could captivate and terrify the audience at the same time. Raghav not only embraced the part’s complexity, but also added his own unique flair.”

Kill, also starring Tanya Maniktala, premièred at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, and won rave reviews, with special mention for the action set-pieces and the leads’ performances. Kapoor praises Juyal for bringing eccentricity to his character.

“Raghav’s performance captures the essence of his character. His portrayal will remind audiences of the iconic Joker, but with a distinct twist that is entirely his own,” she says.