'KILL' Secures Game-Changing Lionsgate Partnership for Big Screen Premiere

Lionsgate has made a groundbreaking acquisition, securing the North American and U.K. rights to the Indian action movie KILL, which was produced by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and received critical acclaim. This project is notable for several reasons: it diverges from Dharma Productions' usual rom-coms and family dramas, such as Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani, and it is the first narrative feature from Sikhya Entertainment after their success with the Academy Award-winning documentary, The Elephant Whisperers.

The film revolves around the characters Amrit (played by Lakshya) and Tulika (played by Tanya Maniktala), whose relationship is put in jeopardy when Tulika's family discovers it. As Tulika is taken away for an arranged marriage, Amrit, a commando, and his friend refuse to let fate control their story. They embark on a gory and adventurous "rescue" mission that blurs the line between their duty and emotions, exploring the theme of "the lengths a man will go for love."

Producers Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta from Dharma Productions, and Monga and Achin Jain from Sikhya Entertainment, expressed their excitement and pride in a joint statement about the historic deal struck with Lionsgate for the US and UK theatrical releases. They referred to this collaboration as a significant milestone in Indian cinema, particularly with the release of their commercial Indian action thriller "Kill," a genre film unlike any seen before in India.

'KILL' Is a Gory, Action "Date Film"

Image via Photagonist at the at Our website TIFF Media Studio

During an interview with Our website, Bhat shared the movie's successful reception, expressing how pleasantly surprised viewers were. Despite initial concerns that the film may not appeal to female audiences, it turned out to be a delightful surprise. One particular friend even commented, "It's a perfect date movie. I'd love to watch it with my boyfriend so he can hold my hand and protect me throughout the film." Bhat had anticipated a different response altogether.

Indian movies in all languages consistently generate significant box office revenue in North America, primarily attributed to the diaspora audience. However, there has been a surge in interest towards these movies following the extraordinary triumph of RRR in the previous year. KILL is scheduled for release in theaters in the U.S. and U.K. in 2024. In the meantime, we invite you to read our review of the film.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I'm thrilled to see an adrenaline-fueled action thriller like KILL secure a game-changing partnership with Lionsgate for its big-screen premiere. The film's gritty and intense storyline, coupled with its successful reception at TIFF, has me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

The fact that KILL is a departure from Dharma Productions' usual rom-coms and family dramas adds to its appeal. It's exciting to witness the production house venture into new genres and explore darker, more intense themes. The film's focus on the lengths a man will go for love is a compelling concept that resonates with audiences, regardless of their age or background.