Prateek Kuhad, the Indian singer-songwriter behind hits like "Cold/Mess" and "Kasoor", is set to make his film acting debut in the upcoming movie "Drowning" (or "Doobna" in Hindi/Urdu). This marks a significant step for Kuhad, who has already achieved success in the music industry, with his songs reaching the top of Spotify India's charts and even making Barack Obama's year-end playlist. The film, directed by Dar Gai, is a unique blend of genres, drawing inspiration from the Safdie brothers' "Once" and Lars von Trier's "Dancer in the Dark", set against the backdrop of Delhi's contemporary music scene. Kuhad plays Tarush, an indie musician who finds himself entangled in the criminal world of a record label boss after achieving a breakout hit. The project began as a collaboration between Kuhad and Gai, who previously worked together on the music video for Kuhad's song "Cold/Mess", which was later named Rolling Stone's Music Video of the Year. Gai's previous films, such as "Three and a Half" and "Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence", have garnered critical acclaim and festival recognition. The film's production team includes Sanjay M. Sharma, Milan Chakraborty, Abhi Kanakadandila, and Dheer Momaya, with a story developed by the group. The movie is part of Marginal MediaWorks' international slate, focusing on South Asia and aiming to bridge the gap between the region's vibrant music culture and the screen. Marginal has already produced a dozen features in just over five years, including "The Rose: Come Back to Me", "Cypher", and the horror film "Camp". This ambitious project aims to showcase the potential of South Asian culture on a global scale, mirroring the success of Korean media exports. The film's release is highly anticipated, as it promises to bring a fresh and unique perspective to the world of cinema, blending music, drama, and a contemporary setting.
