Raghav Juyal Recalls Geeta Kapur's Influence on 'Kill'

From Rehearsal Floors to Mainstream Cinema

Juyal first gained national prominence on Dance India Dance, where his distinctive slow-motion technique and comedic timing established him as a household name while Kapur served on the judging panel. Reflecting on his formative years in Mumbai, Juyal highlighted the open, collaborative environment Kapur maintained for young artists.

"There's so much I can say about Geeta Maa. She is my guru and my coach," Juyal stated during the broadcast. "During my dance reality show days, I practically lived at her studio. All the team members stayed there too. We had so much fun, and the atmosphere was always open and welcoming."

As Juyal began auditioning for film roles, his professional relationship with Kapur remained a cornerstone of his decision-making process. When offered the antagonist role of Fani in Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's high-octane thriller Kill, Juyal sought Kapur’s guidance before committing to the project.

"I remember when I auditioned for 'Kill', the first person I went to was Geeta Maa with my audition," Juyal recalled. "I went to her house to tell her that I had auditioned for the film."

Kapur confirmed the interaction, recalling Juyal's initial hesitation regarding playing a dark, villainous character. She noted his question at the time—"It's a negative role, ma'am. Should I do it?"—before Juyal ultimately chose to accept the part.

"Then I decided to do it. I remember that my acting journey started from there," Juyal added.

Evolving Artistry and Critical Acclaim

Juyal's performance in Kill garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning praise for transforming his public persona from a comedic television presenter into an intense, menacing screen presence.

During the episode, Kapur expressed pride in Juyal’s cinematic growth while acknowledging that audiences still long to see his signature dance moves.

"It's wonderful that you've grown as an actor, but our eyes don't feel satisfied because we don't get to watch you dance enough," Kapur remarked. "Even if you dance a little, it always feels like we want more. The same feeling now applies to your acting too. We miss seeing you on screen, and we always want to see more of you."

The dynamic between Juyal and Kapur underscores a common trend within the Hindi entertainment industry, where reality show platforms act as talent incubators, fostering long-term mentorships that bridge live performance and film acting. With Juyal expanding his portfolio across feature films and digital series, his transition highlights the impact of early industry mentorship on long-term career longevity.