Music director GV Prakash Kumar has also taken on the role of a producer and a hero for Kingston, which hits the cinemas in a big way on March 7th. To be released simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, the Kamal Prakash-directed movie is a sea-based fantasy action adventure film that is set to be turned into a franchise. Co-produced by Zee Studios, the film boasts Hollywood-level visuals, GV Prakash says.
The visual spectacle has cinematography by Gokul Benjoy. Its Trailer, released last week, featured difficult shots.
I play a fisherman in a coastal village where the sea is a source of dread. A mysterious curse keeps everyone ashore. Kingston tells the story of my character's defiance. Driven to unravel the truth, he sets sail, challenging the curse and facing its horrifying consequences. This first-of-its-kind Indian sea adventure thriller delivers a shocking blend of maritime suspense and supernatural terror, as he confronts zombies and spirits in the depths.
Baahubali and Kantara sent the audience into their respective worlds. Kingston is capable of something similar. Hollywood filmmakers bring their legends and folklore alive. On the other hand, Kingston is rooted in the sense that its story has the quality of the fables narrated by grandmothers in India.
To bring the underwater action of Kingston to life, I underwent four days of rigorous training. Holding my breath for three minutes underwater, while executing complex action sequences, was a monumental challenge. Retakes, while submerged, pushed my limits further. Filming on a constantly wet and slippery ship added another layer of difficulty, leading to frequent injuries. Despite the pain, I persevered, bandaging my wounds and continuing the shoot. The result? Action sequences that are truly breathtaking.
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!
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.
My priority as a producer is finding compelling stories. While Kingston features me in the lead, I am absolutely open to producing films starring other actors. It's all about the script. Take my next project, directed by Selvaraghavan. I was so captivated by the story that I immediately offered to produce it. For me, it's about supporting exceptional narratives, regardless of who is on screen.
I am very much interested in doing a Telugu film. I was even approached for Nani's Dasara (probably for the friend's role), though it didn't work out due to scheduling conflicts. They needed me to start shooting very quickly.
