Parents' Guide to Kill

Looting by thieves (or dacoits) on trains is a long-standing problem in India. Kill takes the concept and runs with it, adding martial arts and some advanced tech to the mix. The cinematography is excellent, especially considering the cramped, claustrophobia inducing interiors of railway coaches where most of the action takes place. The stunts are flawless and do not feel repetitive despite the sheer volume of stabbings. Maniktala as Tulika gets little space to exercise her acting chops but does very well with what she is given and delivers the innocence, courage, and pathos her character demands. Newcomer Lakshya shines as central character Amrit. He is sincere, believable, and comes across as a skilled action hero. However, it is Raghav Juyal as Fani, the leader of the villainous gang, who steals the show. He looks like any man you'd see on your street, effortlessly concealing his cruelty and misogyny, until his ego is challenged. It is perhaps also why the film works. The situations, the men, they are all too real. Director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat takes inspiration from real-life events and dials the stakes way up. The film is very clear about its purpose and lets the audience focus on the information at hand instead of delving too deeply into backstories and motivations of the characters. The audience is free to reflect on class conflict, on the philosophy of violence and how it escalates, or simply admire the technical prowess of the stunts and move on.