In a first for Indian cinema, director Nikhil Bhat, who is best known for helming the 2024 action thriller Kill, is in talks with Universal Studios to direct a high-budget Hollywood superhero movie, PeepingMoon.com has exclusively discovered.
Hollywood Calling: A New Milestone for Indian Talent
Though official documentation is still in the works, insiders report talks have been taking place, with Bhat being represented by WME (William Morris Endeavor) in the negotiations. Should the deal be consummated, Bhat may become one of the select group of Indian directors who have successfully transitioned to Hollywood.
Success of ‘Kill’ Paves the Way
Bhat’s global acclaim is a result of the success of Kill, directed by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga, which was released at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 under the Midnight Madness section. Acclaimed for its brutal and intense storytelling, the film not only fared well critically but also commercially in India. Its global influence was further solidified when 87North Productions—the production house behind the John Wick franchise—purchased rights for an English-language remake.
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From Independent Origins to Global Limelight
Prior to Kill, Bhat has directed various low-budget movies such as Brij Mohan Amar Rahe (2018), The Gone Game (2020), Hurdang (2022), and Apurva (2023). With his quick advancement in global film, he has now become one of the frontrunners for big foreign projects.
The Filmmaker’s Busy Times Ahead
Besides the potential Hollywood project, Bhat is also producing a mainstream action film for Dharma Productions. He was previously scheduled to helm a South Indian action film starring Vijay Deverakonda but that was put on the backburner.
If concluded, Bhat’s Hollywood entry would be a milestone, finding him among illustrious Indian auteurs such as Shekhar Kapur, Mira Nair, and Ritesh Batra.
