PremiumI don't think content should be created in comparison to anything that has preceded it, says Luke Kenny
The former VJ-turned-filmmaker-cum-actor spoke exclusively to 'OTTplay' about his most talked about magical fantasy series ‘Fireflies’
Last Updated: 10.56 PM, Apr 27, 2023
OK Luke, let me take you back in time. Let's rewind a bit. To begin with, how did Channel (V)’s ‘After Hours’ happen?
I was already with Channel V as you know as a VJ. After I moved out of being a VJ, I got behind the camera and started directing a few stuff. That was the time when we were sitting and discussing with the creative team about how we can bring me back, but at the same time, bring back your music knowledge as well also, and have your curator curate a music show, but not have to do any kind of production around. So, then we came up with the idea of Luke’s ‘After Hours’ where I would be there in the packaging of it, like in the opening credits and closing bumpers and then they would be color content dividers, and all that kind of stuff. And then we just back-to-back music which will not have any commercial break. So that gives you a complete listening experience. So that was the idea and the thought behind ‘After Hours’ and that's how it came about.
How was life after Channel (V)?
Well...my life changed while I was still in Channel (V). Because, it was here where I met up with Abhishek Kapoor. He offered me ‘Rock On’! I departed from Channel (V) to start working on ‘Rock On’. Of course, we all know what happened after ‘Rock On’! After that, there was a large gap and I did not do anything which was associated with music television for a long while. But what happened was then at around sometime in 2011, I was approached by the late great Mr. Pradeep Guha. He was running a television network called ‘9X Music’, and he wanted to launch an international music channel and he wanted it to be pure music. It was definitely an interesting challenge for me to do the creative work. Also, at that time, I was also doing my acting work, and I was in the process of producing and directing a film. So,for a good four years, I was back with music television... but not in front of the camera. And at the same time, I was also keeping busy with my artistic music performances and acting and all that kind of stuff as well. So that went on till about 2014. After that, I got a couple of other projects. I did a film called ‘Banjo’, a series ‘21 Sarfarosh - Saragarhi 1897’ and others. It's been quite an acting roller coaster ride since then.
Now, let’s cut to Zee 5’s ‘Fireflies’. You were a part of ‘Sacred Games’, which was termed as a game changer. Now, you are a part of ‘Fireflies’. Do you think 'Fireflies’ too will set the same benchmark?
I don't think content should be created in comparison to anything that has preceded it. But at the same time, I think content should be created with the idea of giving a completely different entertainment experience to the viewer. By way of storytelling, by way of casting, by way of treatment. So, oif you are looking at ‘Sacred Games’, it told the story of a gangster, and how law and order has to be mobilized to be able to bring down that gangster. And it has to be told in a realistic and authentic way. Now, in the case of ‘Fireflies’, here we are back again, telling a story which is intended for young adults. It has mythology attached to it, it has magic attached to it and a lot of folk attached to it. We may not really have seen that kind of content on on an OTT platform at all. That's time it has to be told with a lot of authenticity and not the kind of mythology that we've seen on television till now. Which means that the actors need to be more realistic, the storytelling needs to be more believable. The VFX needs to be more convincing.
In a nutshell, what's ‘Fireflies’ all about?
My understanding about the show is that, it deals with folk mythology of a particular place or a fictional place. But the overall conversation about the whole story is about how nature has a way of rejuvenating the world. And there are always forces at work which are helping that, but, at the same time, there are also negative forces which are trying to use those positive forces for personal gain and ulterior motives. So, it's all about maintaining the balance on how you do not let things get destroyed by unfair means.
Also Read: National award-winning fFilmmaker Hemant Gaba all set to 'glow' with ‘Fireflies – Parth Aur Jugnu’
What about your role in the series?
My character is that of a billionaire, who thinks that, because he has money, he can do everything, even command and control nature. But there are forces which are also there, which are trying to save that control from taking over. So, that, in a nutshell is what ‘Fireflies’ is all about.
What's the name of your character?
I play a billionaire called Mr. Mrutyunjay. Even his name is a metaphor for what happens in the story.
The look of your character seems to be a total result of prosthetics. So, how difficult is it to get into the skin of the character where patience is the keyword?
Of course, it does. But fortunately, you know, I am not really that much of a stranger to prosthetics. I have had prosthetic roles in the past, yeah, although not to this extent.
The trailer shows that you are wheelchair bound. Is that so?
Once you see the series, you will know why it needed to be done the way it was done. Kudos to my team Omkar and Rupesh for having made me pull it off and how!
I think this is the first time where you are working totally with kids. How was the overall experience?
It was really good. The difference between the children of yesterday and today is the technology which has now brought about a whole new understanding for a whole new generation.
Can you give three reasons for anyone to watch ‘Fireflies’?
Storytelling, Characters and Conservation.