Hollywood filmmaker Chad Stahelski, renowned for his work on the blockbuster John Wick series featuring Keanu Reeves, is set to produce the highly anticipated English-language remake of the upcoming Indian action film Kill. This significant announcement comes just days ahead of the Hindi-language film’s release, which is directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and set to premiere on Friday.
The original Hindi movie has already garnered extensive praise following its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It has been lauded as “the most violent film made out of India,” and is co-produced by notable production houses Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment.
Chad Stahelski, through his production company 87Eleven Entertainment, will be leading the project for Lionsgate. Stahelski expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration noting, “Kill is one of the most vivid, wild, and creative action movies I’ve seen recently. Nikhil delivers relentless action sequences that need to be seen by as wide an audience as possible. It’s exciting to be developing an English-language version — we have big shoes to fill, and I’m looking forward to working with Nikhil, Karan, Apoorva, Guneet, and Achin to achieve that.”
According to Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, this venture is particularly rare and significant as it involves a mainstream Indian film collaborating with Hollywood for a theatrical release in North America and the UK. Such collaborations mark a milestone in Indian cinema’s outreach to global audiences.
Kill’s storyline revolves around Amrit, an Indian Army commando portrayed by Lakshya, who embarks on a perilous journey with his love interest Tulika, played by Tanya Maniktala. Their lives take a dark turn as they become ensnared in a train hijacked by Fani, a character brought to life by Raghav Juyal, and his ruthless gang, who begin to execute the passengers. The intense plot is complemented by performances from actors Ashish Vidyarthi and Harsh Chhaya, who take on pivotal roles in the film.
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The involvement of prominent figures in Indian cinema, such as Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta from Dharma Productions, and Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain from Sikhya Entertainment, adds an extra layer of credibility and anticipation to the film’s release. The producers of the original film issued a heartfelt joint statement, saying, “When we made ‘Kill’ with Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, we dreamed of global love, and seeing North American theaters chant ‘Kill! Kill! Kill!’ was like seeing that vision come alive. This announcement coming before the original film’s release is unprecedented and a big win for Indian cinema. We are truly honoured.”
The film’s participation in TIFF 2023 paid off as it emerged as the first runner-up for the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category, further cementing its appeal and the global intrigue it has sparked.
Supporting Stahelski in the English remake project will be Jason Spitz and Alex Young, who will also serve as producers under 87Eleven Entertainment. Their involvement is anticipated to bring a unique blend of Hollywood’s dynamic action storytelling combined with Indian cinema’s rich narrative tradition.
The decision to remake Kill in English highlights a growing trend of cross-cultural film productions that serve to bridge cinematic traditions and introduce regional films to broader audiences. As global interconnectedness continues to grow, the entertainment industry is increasingly looking beyond traditional geographical and linguistic boundaries to tap into stories and talent from all corners of the world.
The English-language adaptation of Kill is poised to capture the original film’s intensity and visual storytelling while making it accessible to audiences who might not typically venture into foreign-language cinema. Stahelski’s expertise in choreographing and directing high-octane action sequences is likely to be a significant asset in this ambitious project.
As the Indian film industry continues to receive international acclaim, this remake promises to strengthen the bonds between Bollywood and Hollywood even further. For now, all eyes are on the Hindi release of Kill, with audiences eagerly awaiting to see how the film will translate under Stahelski’s direction in its English version.
