Movie: Kanguva
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Studio Green, UV Creations
Cast: Suriya, Disha Patani, Bobby Deol, KS Ravikumar, YogiBabu, Kovai Sarala, Natarajan Subramaniam and others
Writer: Adi Narayana
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
DOP: Vetri Palanisamy
Editor: Nishad Yusuf
Production Designer: Milan
Stunts: Supreme Sunda
Produced by: TG Gnanavel Raja, Vamsi, Pramod
Written and Directed by: Siva
Release Date: November 14, 2024
After a long gap, Suriya has starred in a high-budget theatrical film, reaching audiences nationwide. This is his first pan-Indian film following the Baahubali trend. The visually impressive trailers have generated significant hype for the film.
Let’s see if it lives up to the excitement.
Story:
A bounty hunter named Francis and his ex-girlfriend Angela (Disha Patani) lead a carefree life in Goa. One day, Francis encounters a boy, leading him to realize a connection to Kanguva, a warrior from centuries past.
A thousand years ago, a warrior made a vow to save his clan and protect a boy. The main story revolves around the connection between Kanguva, the boy, and Francis.
Artistes’ Performances:
Suriya plays a dual role—a modern, carefree character and a tribal leader, Kanguva. As Kanguva, Suriya is not only outstanding but brings his full commitment to making the film work. Intense, physically demanding roles are nothing new for Suriya, yet he makes this character believable with his powerful performance.
Disha Patani has a forgettable role, appearing in only three or four scenes.
Bobby Deol’s look and styling are impressive, but his character lacks depth, and his performance fails to make an impact.
Karthi makes a cameo appearance that ultimately adds value to the film.
Technical Excellence:
The film's visuals and grandeur are striking. The cinematography and visual effects are the highlights, with the producers investing heavily to create a grand spectacle.
The screen is filled with massive action sequences and stunning visuals, which work exceptionally well.
Devi Sri Prasad’s “Mannimpu” song stands out, and the editing is crisp. However, the writing feels shallow.
Highlights:
Stunning visuals
Massive action episodes
Suriya as Kanguva
Grand production values
Drawback:
It doesn’t make much sense
Many episodes look forced
The plane stunt by Suriya
Analysis
Like Magadheera, Kanguva opens in a contemporary setting, introducing the main character and linking him to someone from his past. In Magadheera, the story shifts to the past at the midpoint, while in Kanguva, the plot moves to an earlier historical era after about 30-40 minutes, immersing viewers in its ancient setting.
The first half-hour of Kanguva is bogged down by outdated humor and Suriya’s exaggerated portrayal of Francis. However, director Siva soon transports us to Pranava Kona, set a millennium ago, where the film becomes more engaging, with captivating visuals that hold the audience's attention.
Here, we are introduced to five distinct clans across different islands, with a central antagonist aiming to conquer them. A subplot involving Kanguva and a young boy adds emotional depth to the story.
In this extensive period segment, various action sequences showcase the tribal rituals and lifestyle, including a fight with a crocodile and two large-scale battle scenes set in a forest and an icy landscape, both of which are impressive.
Though the period sequences are intriguing despite their lack of coherence, the switch back to the present day — where Suriya performs a stunt involving a warplane — feels cringeworthy.
As the film approaches its climax, it starts to feel repetitive. Although Karthi’s cameo teases a second installment, the climax itself fails to engage. The overall theme of the film remains unclear.
In summary, while Kanguva aspires to be a visually impressive epic, it ultimately feels like an overcomplicated period drama. Suriya’s dedication and the lavish production values are commendable, but director Siva’s convoluted writing and the film’s excessive volume detract significantly from the experience.
Bottom line: Disappointing