Suriya's much-anticipated film Kanguva had a mixed reception at the box office, with critics calling out its overwhelming soundtrack and limited screen time for its star-studded cast.
Despite these criticisms, the movie has secured a spot on the 2025 Oscars contenders' list.
Directed by Siruthai Siva, Kanguva marked Suriya's return to the big screen after a two-year hiatus, making this recognition even more unexpected.
The announcement was shared by film industry tracker Manobala Vijayabalan on X (formerly Twitter), who posted, “BREAKING: Kanguva ENTERS Oscars 2025,” accompanied by the contenders' list and a promotional poster featuring Suriya.
The post quickly went viral, igniting a storm of disbelief and mockery online.
Reactions poured in as users questioned the film’s inclusion in the prestigious race.
One commented, "Is this a joke?" while another quipped, "Kanguva at the Oscars? What's next, a Grammy for its soundtrack?" Others joined the fray with sarcastic takes, including, "Might as well nominate a TikTok dance for Best Choreography!"
Memes and criticism dominated the conversation, turning the news into a trending topic.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently unveiled the list of 323 eligible feature films for this year’s Oscars, with 207 qualifying for the coveted Best Picture category.
Among them, five Indian films have made the cut: Kanguva (Tamil), Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) (Hindi), Santosh (Hindi), Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Hindi), All We Imagine as Light (Malayalam-Hindi), and Girls Will Be Girls (Hindi-English).
Voting for nominations begins on January 8, 2025, and ends on January 12, with final nominees set to be revealed on January 17.
The 2025 Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood.
While some hail this as a win for Indian cinema, others remain skeptical about Kanguva’s place on the global stage.
As the Academy gears up to announce its nominations, the debate around Kanguva’s inclusion shows no signs of slowing down.