Talent first, last name last

Karan Johar flanked by Laksh Lalwani and Raghav Juyal

From a dance reality show to Bollywood, it has been a steady journey for Raghav Juyal. Today, he finds himself in the coveted position of featuring in a Karan Johar production. While Johar is often slammed for being nepotistic, the actor says his presence in Kill is a marker of how the filmmaker supports talent above all else.

"I come from a humble background in Dehradun. My path in the film industry was unconventional. Karan not only recognised my potential, but also provided me with an opportunity to play the antagonist in this action film. [Even otherwise], the projects that he backs have such incredible new talent, many of whom are outsiders," asserts Juyal.

Kill, led by Laksh Lalwani and produced by Johar and Guneet Monga, recently premièred at the Toronto International Film Festival. Juyal remembers how the filmmaker boosted his confidence on the première night. "After Kill's screening, Karan praised my performance, which meant the world to me. It's a moment I will always cherish." The actor will also be seen in Monga and Johar's OTT offering, Gyaarah Gyaarah.