Indian Composer-Actor G.V. Prakash Kumar Channels ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ for ‘Kingston,’ Reflects on Uncle A.R. Rahman’s Influence (EXCLUSIVE)

As a movie reviewer with a deep appreciation for the multifaceted talents of G.V. Prakash Kumar, I am in awe of his remarkable journey in Indian cinema. His beginnings as a child singer in A.R. Rahman’s “Gentleman” to composing background scores and songs for films like Vasanthabalan’s “Veyil,” Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs of Wasseypur,” Sudha Kongara’s “Soorarai Pottru,” and Kangana Ranaut’s “Emergency” – this man has truly left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.


G.V. Prakash Kumar, who wears multiple hats in Indian cinema, is set to broaden his horizons with notable roles as a composer and an actor in upcoming films.

I, an aspiring film composer, made my first splash in the Tamil film industry at the tender age of 19, collaborating with Vasanthabalan on his 2006 movie “Veyil.” Fast forward a few years, and I found myself stepping into the vibrant world of Hindi cinema, contributing the background score to Anurag Kashyap’s gritty masterpiece “Gangs of Wasseypur” in 2012.

I’ve had a unique and fascinating journey in the world of entertainment, especially in the film industry. It all started when I was just a child, gracing the silver screen as a singer in my esteemed maternal uncle A.R. Rahman’s hit movie “Gentleman” (1993). This experience marked the beginning of an incredible journey that continues to unfold.

As a film critic with a deep appreciation for authentic storytelling and cultural representation, I believe that a crucial aspect of remaking a film set in a different region or state is capturing the unique folk elements that resonate with the local audience. Based on my personal experience attending various film festivals and engaging with diverse film industries, I’ve come to admire how these elements can significantly enhance the storytelling experience.

Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency,” which portrays India’s 1975 political crisis, sees Kumar exploring the complexities of power struggles. According to him, “The film is about the obsession with and the quest for power. That’s the fundamental idea behind the music.” To authentically recreate the era, he intends to employ live brass, trumpets, and other traditional band instruments to generate an old-fashioned sound.

Kumar is thrilled about his work on “Thangalaan,” the upcoming movie by Pa. Ranjith featuring Vikram. He shares, “This film has strong connections to tribal communities. In composing for it, I aimed to authentically represent their sounds.” He used raw tribal voices, woodwinds, and loud calls. “I added these elements to infuse the film with a unique taste while keeping a theatrical feel and standing out from my peers,” Kumar explained.

The composer-actor credits his mother, a singer, and his uncle, the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, as major influences. Kumar began his career working closely with Rahman, contributing to soundtracks like “Rang De Basanti,” “Swades” and “Kisna.” This experience under Rahman’s tutelage provided Kumar with invaluable insights into film scoring and music production at the highest level. “Rahman-sir is a huge inspiration. So most of the songs, how he produces how he mixes and how he programs it’s like a huge inspiration and you have grown up listening to his stuff.”

Instead of focusing on mimicking others, Kumar underlines the significance of creating his unique identity. He shares, “I reached a stage where I yearned to explore new territories and establish my distinct musical style. It was then that I received offers for movies like ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ and ‘Madrasapattinam,’ which provided me with the opportunity to express myself freely and develop a sound that would be distinctively mine as G.V. Prakash.”

In terms of acting, Kumar has emerged as one of India’s busiest actors since his 2015 debut in “Darling,” which earned him the Filmfare award for best acting debut. He boasts an impressive three films slated for release in 2024. When it comes to selecting roles, Kumar prioritizes intriguing storylines and complex characters that bring scripts to life. As he puts it, “I strive to be a part of diverse films with distinct characters or genres.”

Kumar mentions the movies “Naachiyaar” by Bala, “Sarvam Thaala Mayam” by Rajiv Menon, “Sivappu Manjal Pachai” by Sasi, and “Bachelor” by Sathish Selvakumar as notable roles in his acting journey. These films provided him with the opportunity to play varied characters.

Presently, Kumar is balancing various responsibilities on the movie “Kingston,” which he describes as being similar to the enchanting realm of Harry Potter. “It’s got this Harry Potter-esque feel,” Kumar explained. “There are numerous supernatural occurrences in it. It follows a young boy’s journey and morphs into an exciting adventure, much like Harry Potter or Indiana Jones. The visual scenery is breathtaking, and we’re aiming to unveil a new world through this film.”

Kumar is bringing “Kingston” to life through Parallel Universe Pictures in collaboration with Zee Studios. He takes on multiple roles in this project, acting and composing the music. When asked about juggling these tasks, Kumar shared, “I need to dedicate time for each aspect separately. While I focus on acting, I put all my energy into that. For production, I rely on my team. The music was composed during pre-production.”

I’m thrilled about Kumar’s plans for releasing “Kingston” sometime in October or November, with aspirations of a wide Indian release. He confides, “We harbor grand dreams for this project and are fortunate to have a reliable distribution company that will help us reach audiences across the globe.”

Moving forward, Kumar welcomes the opportunity to work on international projects in the capacity of both composer and actor. “Learning a new language is intriguing for me as it presents an opportunity to explore the unfamiliar,” he shares.

Kumar is now delving into live shows as well. After a triumphant concert in Coimbatore, southern India, last year with an audience of 75,000 people, he’s now negotiating performances in Malaysia and the UK.

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2024-07-29 14:17