Raghav Juyal on Geeta Kapur: 'I lived at her studio, she guided my Kill audition'
Synopsis
Long before his villain turn in Kill made headlines, Raghav Juyal was sleeping at Geeta Kapur's studio and asking her whether he should even take the role. His candid appearance on India's Best Dancer Season 5 peels back the mentor-student bond that quietly shaped one of Bollywood's most unexpected acting breakthroughs.
Key Takeaways
Raghav Juyal appeared as a special guest on India's Best Dancer Season 5 on 7 August , alongside actress Niki Walia .
He revealed that during his reality show days, he and his entire team practically lived at Geeta Kapur's studio.
After auditioning for the action thriller Kill , Raghav went directly to Geeta Kapur's home to seek her advice on accepting the negative role.
Geeta recalled him asking, 'Negative role hai ma'am, main karu kya?' — he ultimately decided to take it, marking the start of his acting career.
Raghav first rose to fame on Dance India Dance , where Geeta Kapur was a judge, known for his distinctive slow-motion dance style.
Actor and dancer Raghav Juyal got candid about his formative years in the entertainment industry on 7 August, crediting veteran choreographer Geeta Kapur as his enduring guru — and revealing that she was the first person he turned to after auditioning for his breakout acting role in the action thriller Kill. The revelations came during his appearance as a special guest on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer Season 5, where he appeared alongside actress Niki Walia.
Life at Geeta Kapur's Studio
Reflecting on his early reality show days, Raghav recalled virtually living at Geeta's studio during rehearsals. 'Aur kuch baat bhi hai Geeta maa ki, woh meri guru hai, coach hai. Main pada inke studio mein hi rehta tha mere dance show ke time. Sab log, saare team members udhar hi rehte the. Bahut maza aata tha, bahut khula atmosphere tha,' he said — roughly translating to: 'There is so much more I can say about Geeta Maa. She is my guru and my coach. During my dance reality show days, I practically lived at her studio. All the team members stayed there too. The atmosphere was always open and welcoming.'
The Kill Audition and a Mentor's Counsel
Raghav revealed that after auditioning for Kill — the film in which he plays a menacing antagonist — the first person he approached was Geeta Kapur. 'I remember ki meri Kill film aayi thi aur main sabse pehle Geeta maa ke paas gaya tha apna audition leke,' he said, recounting how he went to her home to share the news and seek her guidance.
Geeta recalled him asking, 'Negative role hai ma'am, main karu kya?' — 'It's a negative role, ma'am. Should I do it?' Raghav's response, as he told it: 'Toh maine kaha main karunga. Mujhe yaad hai meri woh journey start hui udhar se' — 'Then I decided to do it. I remember that my acting journey started from there.'
Geeta Kapur's Heartfelt Words for Raghav
An emotional Geeta expressed how much she misses watching Raghav perform. 'Bahut achhi baat hai, lekin hamare aankhon ko sukoon nahi milta hai na aise dekhne ke liye. Even if you do this much dancing na, aisa lagta hai ki aur chahiye. Ye ab acting mein bhi aa gaya hai. Now we miss you on screen. Aisa lagta hai Raghav, I want to see you more,' she said — conveying that no matter how much he dances or acts, audiences always want to see more of him.
From Dance India Dance to Bollywood
Raghav Juyal first stepped into the spotlight as a contestant on Dance India Dance, where Geeta Kapur served as a judge. His signature slow-motion dance style became a viral phenomenon, establishing him as one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. His transition into acting — anchored by his villainous turn in Kill — marked a significant new chapter, one that he credits, in no small part, to the encouragement of his longtime mentor.
With India's Best Dancer Season 5 currently on air, Raghav's appearance is a reminder of how deeply the world of Indian dance reality television shaped some of today's most recognisable entertainment figures.
Point of View
He turned to a dance guru. That the film went on to earn critical acclaim for his performance suggests the industry's mentorship infrastructure is more porous and cross-disciplinary than it publicly admits. The question is whether that pipeline is replicable or simply a fortunate accident of personal loyalty.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Raghav Juyal reveal about his time at Geeta Kapur's studio?
Raghav Juyal revealed that during his dance reality show days, he and his entire team practically lived at Geeta Kapur's studio during rehearsals. He described the atmosphere as open and welcoming, and credited Geeta as his guru and coach throughout that period.
How did Geeta Kapur influence Raghav Juyal's decision to do Kill?
After auditioning for the action thriller Kill, Raghav Juyal went directly to Geeta Kapur's home to seek her advice on whether to accept the negative role. She recalled him asking 'Negative role hai ma'am, main karu kya?' — and he ultimately decided to take it, calling that moment the start of his acting journey.
Where did Raghav Juyal make these revelations?
Raghav Juyal made these revelations during his appearance as a special guest on India's Best Dancer Season 5, alongside actress Niki Walia, on 7 August.
How did Raghav Juyal first become famous?
Raghav Juyal first gained recognition as a contestant on the dance reality show Dance India Dance, where Geeta Kapur was a judge. His signature slow-motion dance moves went viral and made him one of the most distinctive performers of his generation.
What did Geeta Kapur say about Raghav Juyal on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Geeta Kapur expressed that she misses watching Raghav perform, saying audiences never feel fully satisfied — whether he is dancing or acting — and always want to see more of him. She said, 'Now we miss you on screen. It always feels like, Raghav, I want to see more of you.'
