Kingston offers a unique experience, much like Baahubali and Kantara: Hero, composer GV Prakash
Music director GV Prakash Kumar has played the lead role in his latest film, Kingston. He has produced the film under the banner of Parallel Universe Pictures in collaboration with Zee Studios. This marks GV Prakash Kumar’s debut as a producer.
Maheswara Reddy, the head of Ganga Entertainments, is bringing this film to Telugu audiences. Kingston is set to release in both Telugu and Tamil on Friday, March 7th. In a chit-chat with the media in Hyderabad, GV Prakash spoke about the film’s highlights:
Welcome to Hyderabad, GV Prakash!
Thank you, all! I am extremely happy to be here to promote Kingston.
Are you nervous ahead of the film’s release?
That’s there before the release of every film. As the release date approaches, I tend to countdown to it.
You are making a debut as a producer. Has the plan to become a producer always been there? Or, did you take the decision on the go because you loved the script of Kingston?
Plans were there for quite sometime. Kingston inspired me to become a producer. I am glad to have produced this first-of-its-kind Indian film, in collaboration with Zee Studios. We have plans to turn Kingston into a franchise. We have stories for four parts ready.
What is the story of Kingston like? What genre does it belong to?
The story is set in a coastal village where I play the role of a fisherman. Normally, fishermen venture into the sea for fishing, but in this village, no one dares to go into the sea. The village is cursed, and the mystery behind this curse unfolds in the film. The protagonist decides to challenge the curse and ventures into the sea, leading to unexpected events. Kingston is India’s first sea adventure thriller. Once the hero enters the sea, he encounters zombies and spirits, making it a unique experience for the audience.
Did you undergo training for the underwater sequences?
Yes, I trained for four days specifically for the underwater action sequences. Once underwater, I had to hold my breath for three minutes without surfacing. Along with breath control, I also trained for the action sequences. The toughest part was when they asked for a retake while I was still underwater.
Was Kingston the most physically demanding film of your career?
Absolutely! Shooting action sequences on a ship was especially difficult because the surface was always wet and slippery. At times, I would get injured on my fingers or legs after just one shot. But I would wrap a bandage and continue shooting. Despite the challenges, all the action sequences turned out great!
What were the technical challenges in making Kingston?
A film like this has never been made in India before. Renowned cinematographer Nirav Shah conducted three days of test shooting before Gokul Benoy took over as the main cinematographer. Since many scenes take place in the ocean, the setup was complex; actors would be on one boat, while the camera crew filmed from another boat. We also built miniature sets to enhance the visuals. Once the film releases, even Hollywood will be surprised and wonder how we pulled it off!
You previously worked with Divya Bharathi in a movie titled Bachelor, and now again in Kingston. Tell us about her role.
We wanted a strong combination, and Zee Studios suggested Divya Bharathi’s name. That’s how she was onboarded. She has performed action sequences in Kingston, and I believe this film will bring her great recognition.
You compose music for your own films. Do you put in any special effort for them?
People often say that I give better music for films in which I am not the lead. But I always compose based on the story’s requirements. I don’t do anything special just because it’s my own film. For Kingston, I experimented with new soundscapes. Hollywood has produced fantasy sea films like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, but since this is an Indian film, I wanted to create an original sound without referencing them.
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You have completed 25 films as an actor and 100 as a composer. How do you balance both?
It feels great! I made my acting debut with the Tamil remake of Prema Katha Chitram, and since then, I have been consistently working in films. I have had several hits as an actor. I follow a strict schedule, balancing both acting and music by allocating proper time. Even if a schedule gets disrupted, I always have a Plan B. So, there has never a major problem. Recently, I composed music for Lucky Bhaskar in Telugu and Amaran in Tamil, both of which were Diwali releases in 2024. They earned me good recognition in both industries.
Will you only produce films in which you act, or are you open to producing for other actors?
I am open to producing films with other actors as well, as long as I come across a good script. After Kingston, I am producing a film directed by Selvaraghavan. When I read the script, I absolutely loved it and asked him if I could produce it. There is no rule that I will only produce films where I am the lead. I am willing to support great stories, regardless of who stars in them.
Would you act in Telugu films? Have you received any offers so far?
Yes! I am ready to do a Telugu film if I get a good script. In fact, I was approached for a role in Dasara (not Nani’s character). But they wanted to start shooting within two weeks, and I couldn’t adjust my dates, so I had to let it go. If the right opportunity comes, I would love to be part of Telugu cinema!
As a music director, have you ever felt like you should have played the lead in a film you composed for?
No, never. I am a spiritual person, and I strongly believe that whatever is meant for me will come to me. I don’t look at what others are doing or wish for things that aren’t destined for me.
You are busy with films. Do you get personal time for yourself?
Yes, I have plenty of personal time, and it has never been an issue. On days when I don’t have shoots, I wake up at 9 AM, do my workouts, and then start working on my music. On shooting days, I wake up earlier to stay on schedule.
In the end, what do you want to tell the audience about Kingston?
Baahubali transported audiences into a new world, and Kantara took them into a spiritual realm. Similarly, Kingston will take viewers into an entirely new cinematic world. Hollywood filmmakers bring their legends and folklore to the big screen. With Kingston, we are bringing to life the stories told by our grandmothers and ancestors. This film will be a truly unique experience for everyone!
