Akash Kumar Interview
Q. For readers discovering your work for the first time, could you introduce yourself and share how your journey as a cinematic storyteller began?
Well, my name is Akash Kumar, and before this journey began, I was a halwai.
Throughout my life, I've always loved listening to stories, people's life stories, their happiness, struggles, heartbreaks, and even the funny imaginary stories we used to create as kids, like pretending one friend was the Red Ranger. I think all of that slowly gave birth to the cinematic storyteller inside me.
I once heard a line that really stayed with me. It said that there comes a time when you ask yourself, "Main dikhna chahta hoon ya dekhna chahta hoon?" (Do I want to be seen, or do I want to see?)
I asked myself that same question, and I chose to be seen. I wanted to take people into the worlds that existed inside my imagination and make them experience those stories.
So, one day, this halwai decided that the time had finally come. And that's how my journey as a cinematic storyteller began.
Q. Your content feels like it's part of a larger interconnected universe. What inspired you to build stories this way instead of creating standalone videos?
I've loved interconnected universes ever since I was a child. After watching the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, I would imagine things like, what if Lord Rama and Lord Krishna fought an asura together? What if Ravana and Kansa became a team? Those kinds of questions were always running through my mind.
Then there were cartoon crossovers like Doraemon with Perman, different Power Rangers teams coming together, and later Marvel, which became one of my biggest inspirations.
All of these things inspired me to create a world where every story connects with another. Honestly, I don't think I even planned it. I feel like my subconscious mind always wanted to build one big cinematic universe instead of making random standalone videos.
Q. What is your creative process from getting an idea to bringing it alive on screen?
Ideas can come from literally anywhere, while riding my TVS Ntorq 125cc Black Panther Edition, taking a shower, or even doing something completely random.
The moment an idea comes to my mind, I quickly write it down in my notes before I forget it because I'm honestly a little forgetful.
If it's a story, I first imagine the entire thing in my head, from beginning to end, almost like watching a movie. Once I can clearly see it, I start bringing it to life.
I use AI to create character faces and cinematic visuals. Then comes scripting, which is one of the most important parts. After that, I spend a lot of time choosing the background music because the emotion I'm trying to convey should not only be seen in the visuals but also felt through the music.
That's how, episode by episode, an idea slowly comes to life.
Q. Storytelling often demands patience and consistency. What has been the biggest challenge in staying committed to your vision?
For me, it's overthinking. I overthink a lot.
I keep asking myself questions like, "Will people like this story? What if it fails? What if I don't have enough time to achieve everything I want?" Self-doubt is probably my biggest challenge.
But every day, I remind myself of one thing. I tell myself, "You're an artist. Your only job is to create art." Then I just go for it.
It's not always easy, but as I always say, never giving up is my magic.
Q. With millions of creators online, what do you think makes a story memorable rather than just viral?
Emotion.
If a story has no emotion, I don't think people truly connect with it. Visuals and action may grab attention, but emotions are what stay with people.
I remember writing an episode of my series KAK in which Maa, the Mother of the Universe, appears. After watching it, someone commented, "I'm an atheist, and I'm drunk right now, but after watching this video, I feel like I'm believing in God again."
Whether or not they literally changed their beliefs isn't the point. What mattered to me was that the story touched their heart and made them feel something they weren't expecting.
That's why, for me, every story must carry an emotion, whether it's hope, fear, love, grief, or wonder. If people feel something, they'll remember it long after the video ends.
Q. If one filmmaker or fictional character could step into your cinematic universe for a day, who would you choose and why?
If I had to choose a filmmaker, it would definitely be S. S. Rajamouli sir. I'm one of the biggest fans of Baahubali. The way he creates scale, emotion, and unforgettable cinematic moments is something I truly admire.
And if I had to choose a fictional character, it would be Tony Stark. He's been my favourite for as long as I can remember. I just love that he's a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, and the way he turns impossible ideas into reality.
Seeing Tony Stark inside my cinematic universe would honestly be a dream come true.
Bio
Akash Kumar is an Indian cinematic storyteller and the creator of KAK, an interconnected cinematic universe that brings together mythology, imagination, and AI-powered visuals to create immersive digital stories. Formerly a halwai, Akash transitioned into creative storytelling driven by a lifelong passion for mythology, superhero crossovers, and emotional narratives, aiming to share the rich worlds of his imagination with global audiences.
Interviewed by Niyati Gupta
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