'Kill' actor Raghav Juyal: 'South respects cinema; Content has been the real king'

Dancer-turned-actor Raghav Juyal is 'kill'ing it on the big screen! Juyal, who started as a contestant on a dance reality show and later became a television host, has impressed many with his role as the antagonist in Karan Johar and Guneet Monga’s action-thriller, 'Kill' (Watch Trailer). 

Though his acting debut happened in 2014, Juyal's latest release ‘Kill’ that has brought him his due as an actor. Helmed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, Kill features Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, and Juyal. Since its theatrical release on July 5, the film has been doing brosk business at the box office. 

Speaking to Divya Raje Bhonsale about the films and its success, Juyal claims that ‘Kill’ has been received exceptionally in the South Indian cities, especially Kerala’s Kochi. Edited excerpts:

‘Kill’ has received a tremendous response at the ticket window. Were you expecting it to perform so well?

Before the film was released, I had become impatient for its release as I was working on simultaneous films including ‘Yudhra.’ Now that the movie is out in theaters, I am really happy because every critic has given so much appreciation to the film and my performance. Even from the (film) industry, so many people have called me to praise my work, including Anurag (Kashyap) sir. He called me and said that I did a path-breaking acting. When you receive such compliments, it's nothing but a validation for your hard work. It (Kill) is really a door opener for me in many ways.

After its success at international film festivals, were you hopeful for ‘Kill’ to perform at the home turf?

At the festivals, it (the film) really blasted. In Toronto, Canada, it was quite a rage. But since our date was clashing with a Rs 100-200 crore film like Kalki, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas, and other superstars in cameos, we weren't really sure. But it's a huge achievement for us that we dragged the audience to the theaters. It was unexpected! People have given us so much of love, that too, through word of mouth, since the box office numbers increased gradually. 

I was pleasantly shocked that even the northern region didn't give ‘Kill’ the kind of reception we received from the South. In Kochi, Kerala, cinema halls are still running housefull. Bengaluru and Hyderabad have also given us great responses. The South understands and respects cinema. It's surprising how the film has been received, especially since it is ‘R’ (or ‘A’) certified in which half the audience gets cut down.

According to you, which factor (s) worked in the film’s favour for its success?

It's the power of cinema and good content that seem to have worked for us. We didn't do much promotion; it totally performed on a word-of-mouth basis. Content has been the real king for ‘Kill.’ Going over-the-top with the promotion wouldn't have worked for a film like this. In fact, it's better for our careers that the movie and our acting are speaking for us. Many directors have personally called me to congratulate me. This happened because the content spoke for itself.

Have you received any new film offers since ‘Kill’s success?

Right now, I do have a few things in the pipeline. I have Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment’s ‘Gyarah Gyarah,’ in which I am playing the protagonist. I also have ‘Yudhra’ with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malavika Mohanan. There is one more big banner film that I'm really excited for but I won't be able to share details of the project at the moment. All in all, people will get to see more of me on the screens.

How did you bag the role?

I was doing a film with Ranvir Shorey and Sanjay Mishra when I received an audition call for 'Kill'. The day after I gave the audition, the director (Bhat) called saying he liked my audition and that he wants to do another scene with me. I remember Monga telling in one of the interviews that they auditioned some 100-odd people but it was my performance that stood out for them. I still remember that I was in Rishikesh with my friends, on the banks of Ganga, when I received a call confirming my selection for the role.

You have been in the acting profession since 10 years. How do you feel?

I was privileged enough to have become a television host. There are many actors who struggled for 10-12 years before they got their first role. But in my case, I had to wait for five to six years. During those years, I made several monetary sacrifices, given I had a certain lifestyle because of television, from which I had to take a break. I have had my inpatient days when I was constantly shooting but nothing was releasing.

Was there a moment when you wanted to give up on your dreams?

The only thing that kept me going through those difficult days is that I knew I had some good projects in hand. If I would not have had these films, I would have gone back to hosting TV shows. But I knew that I would have my day.

Will you still be hosting reality TV shows?

If I have to host, I would want to host the Filmfare and the IIFA awards now.

Tell us about choreographer-director Remo D’Souza’s reaction to your film, since you two have closely worked in the past.

When he watched the film at the premiere, he was shocked, surprised, and shivering. He told me that for a moment, it couldn't believe it was me on the screen. Even my acting coach, Saurabh Sachdeva said he felt inspired after watching my performance. These words have encouraged me to perform better.