The Killer (2006) is an Indian Hindi-language action thriller that gained notoriety as an unofficial remake of the 2004 Hollywood hit Collateral
. Directed by the duo Hasnain Hyderabadwala and Raksha Mistry, the film stars Irrfan Khan and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles, transposing the high-stakes narrative of a hitman and a taxi driver to the city of Dubai. Core Premise and Plot
The story follows Nikhil Joshi (Emraan Hashmi), an Indian taxi driver working in Dubai to earn enough to marry his girlfriend, Ria (Nisha Kothari). His life takes a dark turn when he picks up Vikram (Irrfan Khan), a mysterious passenger who is actually a professional hitman. The Mission
: Vikram hijacks Nikhil's cab for the night, forcing him to drive to various locations to eliminate witnesses scheduled to testify against a powerful Dubai-based underworld don named Jabbar. The Conflict
: Throughout the night, Nikhil must navigate the psychological pressure of being an accomplice to murder while desperately seeking a way to stop Vikram and save his own life. Cast and Characters
The film's primary draw was the pairing of two distinct powerhouse actors: Irrfan Khan (Vikram)
: Portrays the calculating and cold-blooded hitman (the role originally played by Tom Cruise in Collateral Emraan Hashmi (Nikhil Joshi)
: Plays the vulnerable, everyday man caught in an extraordinary situation (the role originally played by Jamie Foxx). Nisha Kothari (Ria)
: Plays Nikhil's love interest and a potential target in the film's climax. Production and Legacy Director/Production
: Directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala and Raksha Mistry, and produced by Mukesh Bhatt and Kumar S. Taurani. Critical Reception the killer 2006 filmyzilla exclusive
: The film received mixed reviews upon release. While Irrfan Khan’s performance was widely praised for its intensity, the movie was criticized for being a nearly frame-by-frame uncredited copy of its Western inspiration. Box Office : Despite its star power, The Killer
was considered a box office flop at the time of its release on July 21, 2006.
: The soundtrack, composed by Sajid-Wajid, featured the popular track "Teri Yaadon Mein"
(also known as "Phirta Rahoon Dar Badar"), which remains a fan favorite. Availability and Legality Note
While the film is often searched for on unauthorized distribution sites like Filmyzilla , such platforms are
and distribute copyrighted content without permission. For a safe and legal viewing experience, viewers should check official streaming services such as or authorized Indian cinema platforms. other films from the Irrfan Khan-Emraan Hashmi era or see a comparison The Killer with its original source, Collateral
The Killer (2006) is a Hindi-language action thriller starring Emraan Hashmi and Irrfan Khan, known as an unofficial remake of the Hollywood film Collateral. While associated with illegal, low-quality pirated distribution, the film is acclaimed for its tense, night-time Dubai setting and strong lead performances. The film is officially available for streaming on platforms like YouTube, Disney+ Hotstar, and JioCinema.
The 2006 film The Killer is a Hindi-language action thriller that has gained a cult following over the years as a "hidden gem" of the mid-2000s Bollywood era. Directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala and Raksha Mistry, it is widely recognized as an uncredited remake of Michael Mann's 2004 Hollywood thriller Collateral. Plot Overview
Set against the neon-lit backdrop of Dubai, the story follows Nikhil Joshi (Emraan Hashmi), a young Indian taxi driver working hard to build a future for himself and his love interest, Rhea (Nisha Kothari). His life takes a dark turn when he picks up a suave, mysterious passenger named Vikram (Irrfan Khan). The Killer (2006) is an Indian Hindi-language action
Vikram is a cold-blooded contract killer hired by a notorious don to eliminate five witnesses scheduled to testify against him. Holding Nikhil hostage, Vikram forces him to drive from one hit to the next throughout the night. As the body count rises and the police close in, Nikhil must find a way to outsmart the assassin to save himself and Rhea. Key Highlights
Irrfan Khan’s Performance: Critics and fans alike praise Irrfan Khan as the standout star. He portrays the hitman with a chilling yet charismatic detachment, often breaking into philosophical or darkly humorous monologues.
The Soundtrack: True to the "Emraan Hashmi era," the film features hit songs composed by Sajid–Wajid, including the chart-buster "Teri Yaadon Mein".
Atmospheric Setting: The cinematography captures Dubai’s nightscape effectively, maintaining the "noir" aesthetic established by the original Collateral. Why Watch It?
If The Killer is remembered for anything, it is the casting of Irrfan Khan as the antagonist. Even in a mainstream commercial film that prioritizes style over substance, Khan brings a chilling gravitas to the role of Vikram. He portrays the hitman with a cold, calculated detachment, occasionally punctuated by dark humor. His performance elevates the film from a standard B-movie actioner to a watchable thriller.
Emraan Hashmi, cast as the everyman protagonist, does a serviceable job. While he struggles to match the intensity of his co-star, he fits the mold of the "serial kisser" action hero that defined his mid-2000s career. The film utilizes the hallmark ingredients of a Vishesh Films production—catchy music, foreign locales, and a glossed-up aesthetic—though the narrative often feels derivative for audiences familiar with the original source material.
It’s important to note: This film is not related to:
The 2006 version is the obscure, low-budget cousin that only hardcore action completists seek. And because it is so rare, the demand for a digital copy is high—enter Filmyzilla.
For true collectors, the safest way to get the "exclusive" original quality is to buy a used DVD. Check eBay or Amazon Marketplace for "The Killer (2006) Andre Refig DVD." It may cost you $5-$10, but you get the real deal with zero malware. The Killer (1989) by John Woo (Chow Yun-fat classic)
Title: The Killer
Release Year: 2006
Director: Hasnain Hyderabadwala
Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Irrfan Khan, Nisha Kothari
Directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala (known for Murder and Jism), The Killer follows a simple premise with dark twists. Vikram (Emraan Hashmi) is a ruthless hitman who never fails. His next target? A cop’s family. However, when he spares a pregnant woman on the job, he triggers a violent manhunt.
Irrfan Khan plays the obsessive cop, Nikhil, chasing Vikram across Goa. Unlike typical Bollywood masala films, The Killer relies on silence, stares, and monsoon-soaked back alleys. It was one of the rare films where the "villain" (Hashmi) had more screen time than the hero (Irrfan).
Unfortunately, due to its obscure status, The Killer (2006) is not available on legal streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ Hotstar. The rights are likely held by a defunct studio (Shree Ashtavinayak).
The Legal Alternative: Instead of hunting for a dangerous "Filmyzilla Exclusive," check local DVD stores or YouTube’s official movie channels. Sometimes, these forgotten films are uploaded legally by the producers in low quality—but at least they won't get you a virus.
Directors Hasnain Hyderabadwala and Raksha Mistry focus heavily on the visual appeal of Dubai, using the city’s skyline to create a sense of isolation during the night sequences. The pacing is tight, moving quickly from one set-piece to the next. However, the script often leans into Bollywood tropes—unecessary song sequences and melodramatic dialogues—that undermine the tension built by the premise.
Compared to Collateral, The Killer lacks the existential depth and cinematographic brilliance of Michael Mann’s work. Instead, it opts for a more accessible, commercial version of the story, stripping away the nuance in favor of loud action sequences and conventional heroism.
While the temptation to download a rare, 18-year-old action movie for free is understandable, there are serious consequences.