The trailer for the upcoming Tamil film Kingston, starring G.V. Prakash Kumar, was launched at a star-studded event in Chennai this week. The film, directed by debutant Kamal Prakash, is set to release in theaters worldwide on March 7, 2025.
Produced by Zee Studios and Parallel Universe Pictures, Kingston is being positioned as India’s first sea-based fantasy adventure film. Actor Siva Karthikeyan released the trailer on his social media platforms, extending his wishes to the team.
During the launch event, which was attended by prominent directors including Vetrimaaran, Sudha Kongara, Pa. Ranjith, and Aswath Marimuthu, G.V. Prakash Kumar shared his vision behind the project.
“This was a big dream for us. When we watch Hollywood films like Harry Potter, I always wondered why we couldn’t create something similar,” said Prakash, who serves as the film’s producer, music composer, and lead actor. “Kingston is essentially a fantasy story told from our cultural perspective—like how a Harry Potter from our land would be.”
Divyabharathi, who plays the female lead, revealed that this is her second collaboration with Prakash after Bachelor. “When director Kamal showed me a reference video of how my character would look on screen, I immediately agreed to do the film. The shooting lasted 70 days, and we were constantly drenched in water,” she said.
First-time director Kamal Prakash expressed gratitude to Prakash for trusting him with a big-budget production. “I used to make short films with minimal budgets. Six years ago, I pitched this idea to G.V. Prakash. He believed in someone who made short films for ₹20,000 and invested nearly ₹20 crore in this project,” he said.
The film also features Alagam Perumal, “Mezhugu Thodarchi Malai” Antony, Chethan, Kumaravel, and Sabumon in supporting roles. Cinematographer Gokul Binoy revealed that the producer insisted on international standards for the film’s visual quality.
Director Vetrimaaran praised Prakash’s dedication to cinema. “G.V. Prakash works tirelessly with constant enthusiasm. This is his special identity. When he told me he wanted to become a producer, he called me one day and excitedly said, ‘I’m producing a sea fantasy genre film—the first of its kind in India.’ He had so much confidence in this project.”
Art director S.S. Moorthy mentioned that designing a set that combined the sea and a ship was the biggest challenge he faced. Meanwhile, action choreographer Dilip Subbarayan has designed intense fight sequences for the film.
Prakash also revealed that the first shot of the film was directed by Kamal Haasan. “When I started my production company, I requested Kamal sir to direct the first shot of our first production, and he immediately agreed without hesitation,” he said.
The technical team includes editor Shan Lokesh, dialogue writer Theevix, and creative producer Dinesh Guna. The film, described as having extensive VFX work, is reportedly made on a modest budget compared to similar visual spectacles.
Kingston will be released in theaters worldwide on March 7, 2025.