suresh kavirayani
Music composer-turned-actor GV Prakash Kumar returns with Kingston, a Tamil fantasy horror film dubbed into Telugu. Directed by debutant Kamal Prakash, the movie marks GV Prakash’s 25th film as an actor and his first as a producer. Featuring Divyabharathi as the female lead, Kingston sets up an intriguing premise but falters in execution.
Story
The film is set in the fictional coastal village of Thoovattur near Thoothukudi, where a mysterious force in the sea causes fishermen to return as corpses. Fearful of the unknown, the villagers abandon fishing, leading to a loss of livelihood. Seizing the opportunity, local don Thomas (Sabumon Abdusamad) manipulates the youth into illegal activities.
King (GV Prakash Kumar) is initially part of Thomas’ operations but changes his stance after witnessing the tragic death of a young boy. Determined to uncover the truth, King defies the village’s warnings and ventures into the sea with his friends. What he discovers forms the crux of the story.
Analysis
Director Kamal Prakash introduces an intriguing concept, but his storytelling is deeply flawed. The film suffers from excessive voiceovers and frequent flashbacks, which create confusion rather than intrigue. The first half progresses at a standard pace, while only a few sequences in the second half manage to captivate.
The constant back-and-forth between 1982 and the present, combined with unnecessary flashbacks, weakens the narrative. The film lacks emotional depth, and none of the characters, except the protagonist, leave a lasting impression. The twists and turns feel misplaced, failing to create the intended impact.
One of the major drawbacks for Telugu audiences is the predominance of Tamil and Malayalam actors. Even the newspaper clippings in the film are in Tamil, making it difficult for non-Tamil-speaking viewers to connect with the story.
Performances
GV Prakash Kumar delivers a commendable performance and seems to have put in a lot of effort for his role. However, his character lacks depth. Divyabharathi, the female lead, has a minimal presence and doesn’t leave much of an impact. The supporting cast, consisting of lesser-known Tamil and Malayalam actors, fails to make an impression on Telugu audiences.
Technical Aspects
Despite GV Prakash composing the music himself, the songs and background score remain average. The cinematography by Gokul Benoy is one of the film’s stronger aspects, capturing the eerie coastal setting effectively. However, the Telugu dubbing is subpar, further diminishing the overall experience.
Verdict
While Kingston had potential, it ultimately fails due to its convoluted narrative and weak execution. The film is visually appealing but lacks emotional depth and coherence. Except for a few engaging scenes in the second half, Kingston doesn’t offer much. If you’re interested, it’s better to wait for its OTT release.
Cast: GV Prakash, Divyabharathi, Chetan, Azhagam Perumal, Elango Kumaravel and others
Cinematography: Gokul Benoy
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Producers: GV Prakash Kumar, Umesh KR Bansal
Director: Kamal Prakash
Rating: 2/5
