The Killer

The Killer

Year: 2006

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: Hindi

Directors: Hasnain Hyderabadwala, Raksha Mistry

Drama

A stranger, a taxi driver and a bar girl become caught in a night of love and death when a ruthless contract killer hires the cab driver for a full night in Dubai. The killer forces the driver to ferry him around the city, eliminating each witness slated to testify against a powerful gangster, turning an ordinary ride into a deadly chase.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Killer (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Killer (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong

The film unfolds across multiple major cities, starting with a Dubai setting where Nikhil works as a taxi driver. The narrative also references incidents in Malaysia and Hong Kong, establishing a pattern of crimes centered around taxi drivers. Each city serves as a backdrop for rapid, violent confrontations that drive the thriller tempo.

🏙️ Global hubs 🌍 International settings 🚖 Taxi culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:24

Main Characters – The Killer (2006)

Meet the key characters of The Killer (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vikram (Irrfan Khan)

A suave, calculating figure who plots assassinations through unsuspecting taxi drivers. He uses charm and intimidation to bend others to his will, orchestrating a deadly game from behind the scenes. His cold pragmatism makes him dangerous, leaving little room for mercy.

🧭 Charismatic 🗡️ Dangerous 🏛️ Manipulative

Nikhil Joshi (Emraan Hashmi)

An Indian taxi driver in Dubai who dreams of a better life with his lover Rhea. He is drawn into Vikram's web and subjected to coercion, turning him from an ambitious taxi driver into a survivor who fights back. As events spiral, he shows resourcefulness and courage to protect others.

🚕 Taxi driver 💪 Resilient ❤️ Love-driven

Rhea (Priyanka Kothari)

A cabaret dancer and Nikhil's love interest who becomes entwined in the danger around Jabbar. She embodies vulnerability and desire, navigating peril while seeking safety and happiness with Nikhil.

💃 Dancer 💖 Romantic interest 🛡️ Vulnerable

Jabbar (Zakir Hussain)

A feared crime lord whose impending deportation to India raises the stakes for everyone around him. His criminal network and influence complicate the pursuit of justice, forcing characters to choose sides under pressure.

🧪 Crime lord 🗺️ Powerful 🗡️ Dangerous

Police Officer (Sanjay Batra)

A detective on the trail of the killings and the mystery surrounding Vikram's hit list. He represents law enforcement closing in as the body count rises, highlighting the tension between upholding the law and navigating suspicion.

👮 Police 🧭 Investigation 🕰️ Tension

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:24

Major Themes – The Killer (2006)

Explore the central themes of The Killer (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Pursuit

The film centers on a relentless pursuit of truth as Vikram manipulates witnesses and uses Nikhil's taxi to silence them. The chase unfolds through crowded streets and tense confrontations, exposing how power and fear can corrupt ordinary people. The theme highlights the thin line between hunter and hunted, and the pressure to survive in a dangerous city.

🧭 Identity

Nikhil's identity is tested when he is coerced into becoming a pawn in Vikram's plan. He must distinguish his own choices from the manipulations around him, risking everything to protect the witnesses and Rhea. The story probes how roles blur under coercion, leaving characters to redefine who they really are. The tension rises as he pretends to be Vikram to deceive Jabbar.

🎭 Deception

Deception drives the plot as Vikram's charm hides a lethal agenda and Nikhil's everyday driver persona conceals a growing resolve. The killer uses others as tools, while the protagonist discovers his own resourcefulness and courage. The thriller builds on misdirections, double identities, and escalating violence. The climax hinges on a final gamble that could cost innocent lives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:24

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Ticking clock thrillers like The Killer

Ordinary people forced into a desperate race against time by a ruthless antagonist.If you liked the high-stakes, single-night chase in The Killer, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features fast-paced thrillers where an innocent person is plunged into a desperate fight for survival against a ticking clock, creating a tense and relentless viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with an ordinary individual's life being violently upended, forcing them to navigate a series of escalating dangers within a compressed timeframe. The story follows a linear, cause-and-effect structure as the protagonist evades or confronts the threat, often to protect someone they care about.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared structure of a compressed timeline and relentless pacing, which generates sustained tension. The emotional core is the protagonist's desperate fight for survival against overwhelming odds, making the viewer feel the weight of every second.

Thrillers with forced accomplices like The Killer

A civilian is coerced into aiding a criminal, with a loved one's life hanging in the balance.Find movies similar to The Killer where a main character is forced to work for a criminal under threat. These tense stories explore the dynamics of coercion, with an innocent person navigating a deadly situation while trying to protect someone they love from harm.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a powerful antagonist seizing control over a vulnerable protagonist, using a personal connection as a weapon. The journey focuses on the protagonist's internal conflict—following orders to ensure survival while subtly looking for an opportunity to outsmart their captor and save their loved one.

Why These Movies?

They share a core dynamic of coercion and the moral dilemma of forced complicity. The mood is defined by psychological tension, claustrophobia, and the anxiety of being trapped in a situation where one wrong move could be fatal for an innocent person.

Unlock the Full Story of The Killer

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Killer in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Killer is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Killer Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Killer, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Killer Summary

The Killer Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Killer with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Killer Timeline

The Killer Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Killer Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Killer

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Killer: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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