18 February,2026 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rahul Bhat in Kennedy
As Kennedy finally gears up for its much-awaited OTT release, the makers have dropped a jaw-dropping transformation video of Rahul Bhat, and it's nothing short of electrifying. The video captures Bhat's intense physical and emotional preparation for the role, offering a glimpse into the haunting world of Kennedy, a sleepless ex-cop navigating crime, corruption, and inner turmoil.
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film first premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where it received a roaring seven-minute standing ovation. The response was overwhelming, with international critics praising the film's neo-noir texture, atmospheric storytelling, and Bhat's deeply internal, brooding performance. Many called it one of Kashyap's finest works in recent years, raw, restrained, and globally resonant.
However, despite the critical acclaim, Kennedy faced a long three-year wait before its commercial release. During this time, the film travelled across international festivals, steadily building a reputation as a modern cult classic among cinephiles.
At the heart of this growing legend is Rahul Bhat's career-defining performance. With minimal dialogue and piercing intensity, he embodies a man teetering between violence and vulnerability. The newly released transformation video reinforces what Cannes audiences already knew, that this is a performance forged in complete commitment.
The trailer gives a gripping glimpse into Anurag Kashyap's unmistakable noir universe that is categorically dark, moody, and razor-sharp. Rahul Bhat commands the screen with an intense, brooding performance as the titular character, proving why he remains one of the most compelling actors in contemporary cinema. His portrayal is layered, restrained, and deeply unsettling.
Adding to the drama is Sunny Leone, who brings a striking charm and quiet strength to the narrative. Together, Rahul, Sunny and Anurag promise a cinematic experience that is raw, fearless, and unapologetically Kashyap. With the trailer setting the tone, Kennedy's homecoming to the Indian audience feels fitting
Kennedy is a police noir film, which received a 7-minute standing ovation at The Grand Lumiere Theatre, where it was screened under the midnight screening section at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday (France local time), at the prestigious Cannes film Festival.
It follows the story of an insomniac cop who dwells in different circumstances while looking for redemption. The filmmaker was seen along with his friend and frequent collaborator Vikramaditya Motwane as well as his actors Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone, Shariq Patel, Ranjan Singh, Kabir Ahuja, Bhumika Tewari, Neeraj Joshi, and Ashima Awasthi at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
The film is all set to release on Zee5 on February 20, 2026.
