After OTT outings like A Suitable Boy, Tooth Pari and P.I. Meena, Tanya Maniktala has made her big screen debut with the hardcore action film Kill, directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat. The Delhi girl talks about working on Kill, her co-stars Lakshya and Raghav Juyal, and her favourite action movies.

How did Kill happen?

Tanya Maniktala: Kill happened while I was shooting for something else. I got a call from Casting Bay regarding this project, and they said they would send me a self-test. I sent in my audition but did not hear back from them. In the meantime, I wrapped up my shooting and went back to Delhi and that is when I heard from one of my previous directors, Deba Loisa, who had worked with me on PI Meena, that his friend was shooting for a movie and he wanted to get in touch with me.

I got in touch with Nikhil (Nagesh Bhat, director) sir and that is how I learned that the self-test I had sent was for Kill and he was really keen to get me on board. I went through the script and that is how Kill happened.

Tell us about your character, Tulika…

Tanya Maniktala: Tulika hails from a small town. Her family is in Ranchi, and her father is a very influential and powerful man. So she knows what’s at stake. Even though she has gone out and fallen in love with this NSG commando, Amrit, she knows that her family would never accept it. Instead of wanting to try and convince them, she respects their decisions.

But she knows that she would do anything for the love of her life, which is Amrit. She is fierce, very strong-headed, and has her own mind. Sometimes Tulika decides to speak out and sometimes she does not because she weighs the consequences of her actions. All in all, she is the anchor and the underlying emotion of the story. Tulika is the heart and soul of Kill, so it was definitely a very fulfilling role for me to play. And yeah, she can absolutely make anybody fall in love with her.

You had done workshops with Lakshya, who plays Amrit in Kill…

Tanya Maniktala: We had only very few readings but it was a lot of fun because Lakshya and I would sit and go through the script and then we would also play out certain situations… like how we thought the characters would act in those situations. That was a lot of fun. It was an experience to create something that was written on paper and bring them to life.

The violence shown in Kill is quite unsettling. How was your experience of watching the film?

Tanya Maniktala: The violence, even for me, was brutal. It is gory, and obviously Kill has been called India’s most violent film as of yet. It definitely lives up to the title. I thought it was quite entertaining. I have always loved action movies, so just watching something so gruesome and brutal coming from our own country was quite an experience. I think what Nikhil sir has done with Kill is he has changed the face of action and the medium of storytelling through action. In Kill, you’ll see there is romance, there is drama, there is comedy, and then at the core of it is the most brutal kind of violence you’ve ever seen on the big screen. I was on the edge of my seat but it was a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Are you fond of the action film genre? Any favourites?

Tanya Maniktala: I have been an ardent admirer of action movies because of the pure thrill and rush that you feel watching them. There are the classics like John Wick and The Raid, which I loved. I also loved the Rocky film series.

How was it to work with your co-stars Lakshya and Raghav Juyal?

Tanya Maniktala: Raghav and Lakshya are wonderful co-actors. They are so giving as actors and so giving as people as well because no matter how injured they might be, they would still be looking out for everybody else on set, which is a very nice environment to be in. It’s really nice to work with actors who actually look at the bigger picture and the things that are at stake, which is the movie.

And how was it to have Nikhil Nagesh Bhat as your director?

Tanya Maniktala: With Nikhil sir, I saw a genius at work and it was just exemplary seeing him execute his vision. He had already given us an insight into what this world would look like because he had written out every detail of the action sequences in the script. Still, just seeing it play out for the camera was a different experience as there were so many variables at play. Nikhil sir is a very calm man. He has a quiet demeanour. He knows what he wants and when it comes to getting things done, he is not hesitant to voice it.

You have come a long way from Janakpuri, Delhi, where you grew up. How has the journey been for you till now?

Tanya Maniktala: Yes, coming from Janakpuri and being on the big screen now has definitely been a very humbling journey, I would say, because it has taught me a lot and I am still processing it. This has been the dream, and seeing it all play out and actually living it feels surreal. But there is so much gratitude. The heart feels so full and there’s so much love in me to give to my work and to give back to the audiences. I just hope this journey continues.

How did acting happen to you?

Tanya Maniktala: When I was doing my bachelor’s, my sister pushed me into joining the dramatic society of my college — Vayam in Shivaji College. I did a few years of theatre… did street plays, nukkad. And that is how I got scouted for my first-ever web series, Flames. Back then, it was for YouTube but then the first season took off and then the second season took off and that is how acting happened.

What is next for you?

Tanya Maniktala: I have finished shooting for a few things but a lot of them haven’t been announced yet. I don’t know exactly where you will be seeing me next, but the project that has been announced is Pan Parda Zarda with Reliance. That is one project I’m really excited about.