Director Kamal Prakash Interview: Kingston is completely a rooted story

At times when genre-based films are getting more traction and reception from audience, composer-actor-producer GV Prakash announced the release of India’s first sea-fantasy adventure film Kingston. All set to hit big screens on March 7, the visuals of the film have been grand, and appealing, almost making you believe that our very own Pirates of the Caribbean is in the making. The director behind the film, debutant Kamal Prakash says:

“We are aware that comparisons with Pirates of the Caribbean will come, because that is the gold standard when it comes to sea films. Kingston is not directly in comparison with any of the film from the franchise. But as an experience, if we can give at least 50% of what they did, our motive would be realised. Kingston is completed rooted, and I know comparisons will come and we are working with that in mind.”

Kingston director Kamal Prakash interview 

Was the idea to make first sea-fantasy film came first, or idea of story come ahead?

We wanted to make an interesting film, and after a point, I wanted to pick a genre to do a film. I am not a big fan of horror myself. Many of the horror films that have come in the last 10 years have gone into the template and the excitement for such films have come down for me. But having said that, Kingston is not a complete horror film. I want to just make the genre interesting and we always have that one film that comes in a while and shakes up the genre, like 13B, Maya, and Don’t Breathe. I felt the genre is always working, but it should not fall into the template. That’s how we wanted to change the setting and set in sea. The idea was never to make India’s first… but just to bring a new idea into a genre.

What is Kingston all about?

Once we zeroed on setting the film in a sea, we had the idea to use how scary a sea would be at night, especially when fishermen venture out. We did some R&D, and started to write a story. I believe that going local is only way to make it global. So, I learnt some real-life stories, the mysteries that lurk there. Horror is only an element in the story.

Also read: GV Prakash Kumar turns producer with Kingston; SR Prabhu, Kalaippuli Thanu welcome him to the club

Can you talk a little more on the premise of Kingston?

The film is taking place at a fishing village, and we have taken plenty of traditions and culture of the fisherfolks. We have culled out points from there, to weave into the story. The trailer has only a gist of it. There is no doubt Kingston will be an experience film. That is going to our calling card, but it has also got ample elements in story. There are many characters, timelines, and layers within the story. There won’t be any comparison with any other films.

Also read: Kingston teaser OUT: GV Prakash headlines a swashbuckling sea fantasy; release date revealed 

Is the story fictional?

It is not completely fictional. We have taken some realistic elements for the film, there is a tradition and custom that people used to do within the community. We have given a spin on that. So, it is not completely fictional. What we have taken is also interesting, which we have saved for the film. By saying local, we mean that we have taken elements from our very own culture and presented with different experience.

At what point did GV Prakash come into the project?

We have had a long travel, ever since I had been a short film director. We have been in touch since 2018, and every time I write a script, we go back and forth. I had also taken some time to crack Kingston story and once I was done with it, he was the first person I approached. This is a very ambitious project, and there were challenges to set up the project for about 2-3 years. At one point, after ZEE Studios came onboard, they were also supportive of the project, the budget it demands, and how to present it.

What do you have to say for debut directors who want to mount their projects big scale?

I think things are getting better. The first and foremost is that the idea has to be very strong. In case, if it is a big budget film, it is our responsibility to make them trust that we can pull it off. One route is making pilot shoots. For this particular film too, we did a small shoot so that they get an idea. When we did that, the producers get an idea of our ability to pull off something. For Kingston, we did a shoot with GV Prakash, and we also made sure the footage was not wasted. We have used in the film as well. For upcoming filmmakers, the ideas have to be compelling and prepare for execution. We should stay updated about budgeting, the logistics breakdown, and how we will execute the film.

Do you have concluding words to say about your debut feature?

People can come in for the experience. But there is also a very good story element in Kingston. They will have a strong theatrical experience as well as a story that they will resonate with. GV sir and production were very supportive, but all the technical departments have given 10 times more outputs than for any other film. On the personal front, I would really like to family, especially wife Divya Kamal whose support has been the main reason I was able to spend 5-6 years to crack my first feature release.

GV Prakash-starrer Kingston is gearing up for release in cinemas on March 7.