PRATEEK KUHAD TRADES THE MIC FOR THE CAMERA: INDIE DARLING TO MAKE ACTING DEBUT IN ‘DROWNING’

At AltBollywood, we are always tracking the exact moment an artist evolves from a musician into a full-fledged cinematic entity. Indian indie sensation Prateek Kuhad is officially making that leap. The singer-songwriter, who has soundtracked countless modern romances, is set to make his feature film acting debut in the upcoming crime thriller, Drowning (titled Doobna in Hindi/Urdu).

Over the years, Kuhad has built a strong association with visual storytelling. Through his evocative contributions to film soundtracks like Karwaan and Lust Stories, his music has consistently elevated narrative-driven cinema. Now, he is stepping directly into the frame.

Inside the World of Drowning

Far from a lighthearted rom-com, Kuhad’s debut project plunges into the darker side of the creative economy. Shot on location in New Delhi, Drowning follows Tarush (played by Kuhad), a struggling independent musician. When Tarush finally achieves his breakthrough success, his life takes a chaotic turn as he becomes trapped under the thumb of a powerful and ruthless underworld record label boss.

Here is what is currently dominating our editorial radar regarding the project:

• The Reunion: The film is directed and written by Dar Gai. This marks a massive creative reunion for the duo—Gai famously directed the music video for Kuhad’s breakout hit, “cold/mess,” which became a defining cultural moment and even landed on Barack Obama's favorite music list.

  
  

• The Inspiration: The entire film's narrative was actually inspired by Kuhad’s own track, “Drown.” When producers pitched the concept of building a movie around the song's thematic elements, the singer was immediately hooked.

  
  

• The Producers: The crime thriller brings together an international powerhouse of production houses, including Marginal MediaWorks, Los Angeles-based D36, and Mumbai’s Jugaad Motion Pictures.

  
  

A Natural Artistic Extension

This transition into acting feels like a natural extension of Kuhad's artistic sensibilities. He is moving from composing emotional narratives in the studio to physically embodying them on screen. With Drowning described by producers as a blend of emotional musical intimacy and the intense, chaotic reality of the contemporary Delhi music scene, this debut is perfectly positioned to introduce Kuhad to a massive new audience.

While an official release timeline remains under wraps, this marks a monumental milestone for the indie artist, seamlessly bridging his worlds of music and cinema.

You can listen to the track that inspired the entire film right here: Prateek Kuhad - Drown. This song serves as the creative foundation for the upcoming crime thriller's narrative.