Suriya’s last film in a leading role hit theaters about two and a half years ago. To create an exceptional experience for fans, he collaborated with director ‘Siruthai’ Siva on Kanguva, an action-adventure fantasy set in a historical backdrop. It’s been some time since Suriya had a big hit at the Box Office, and he is counting on this film to change that. After building excitement with a teaser and the recent trailer, Kanguva finally premiered in theaters today. Did it meet the high expectations? Did director Siva craft a memorable movie for Suriya’s fans and film enthusiasts? Let’s explore this with a thorough review.
What does it mean?
Francis, a bounty hunter from Goa, works with his ex-girlfriend Angela and his friend Yogi Babu. While on a job, they encounter a runaway boy named Zeta. Francis and Zeta discover they share a mysterious bond. What is the nature of this bond? Why is Zeta fleeing? Who are Kanguva and Poruva, and how are they linked to Francis and Zeta? These questions drive the rest of the story.
Performances:
Suriya, portraying Francis Theodore, seemed somewhat misplaced but managed to deliver a strong performance as Kanga, also known as Kanguva. His expressive use of his eyes in this role was impressive. On the other hand, Disha Patani, playing Angela, didn’t get a chance to shine, and her scenes felt quite frustrating.
Bobby Deol’s character, Udhiran, was poorly developed and had an odd appearance, leaving little to discuss about his contribution. However, the child actors who played Poruva and Zeta did a commendable job. There’s a surprising cameo by a beloved star at the film’s climax, but it fell flat and seemed only to set up a sequel.
Yogi Babu, Kovai Sarala, and other well-known actors were also underutilized in weak roles. In a surprising turn, Yogi Babu’s usual comedic style did not land any laughs this time.
Technicalities:
Vetri Palaniswamy’s cinematography stands out. He beautifully captured the vibrant green forests and the night scenes, showcasing great skill. The cinematography was the only aspect of the film that truly excelled. Devi Sri Prasad was quite let down by the weak songs and the overly loud background score. Besides the song ‘Mannippu’ and a decent background score in one part of the second half, his contributions were lacking and did not help the film. Nishad Yusuf’s editing also fell short. The quick cuts in the first half were hard to watch. While the film featured a significant amount of VFX, the quality was merely average. The production values from Studio Green and UV Creations were impressive, but the producers should have spent more time improving the VFX.
Director Siva had a strong central idea but struggled with the large scale of Kanguva and tended to overdo the drama. Better writing from him and his team would have improved the film. Instead of emotional moments, the audience mostly sees one action scene after another, leaving a lack of connection. Overall, his direction did not meet expectations.
Thumbs Up:
Two blocks each in both halves
Suriya’s performance as Kanguva
Core Plot of The Film
Thumbs Down:
DSP’s Songs & Background Score
Weird Looks of Actors
Entire Goa Episode In The First Half
Lack of Emotional Connect In The First Half
Over-the-top drama
Analysis:
Since Baahubali was released, many filmmakers from various regions in India have created ambitious films with grand stories aimed at a wide audience. However, only a few of these have succeeded. A key rule for filmmakers targeting a national audience is to avoid excessive local elements. Unfortunately, many, especially Tamil filmmakers, often struggle to break free from this habit, which negatively impacts their films.
Kanguva has an intriguing storyline that sounds exciting on paper. However, director Siva and his team deliver a loud and predictable movie filled with too much local flavor. The actors constantly shout for no clear reason, and the exaggerated performances, along with odd costume choices—considering the film is set in 1070—detract from its appeal.
The film begins with an engaging monologue from an old woman in 1070 who questions the meaning of life, followed by a curious scene with a child named Zeta in a lab in 2024. Sadly, after these opening moments, the first half becomes chaotic, with constant yelling and predictable sequences leading up to the intermission.
The second half shows some improvement, featuring a few well-done scenes, but much of it remains dull. The scenes featuring Suriya, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, and others set in Goa feel forgettable and are poorly executed, testing the audience’s patience.
Ultimately, the director is responsible for squandering the potential of an interesting plot with subpar execution, aside from a few standout moments. Devi Sri Prasad also contributes to the disappointment, as his songs and background music fail to leave an impression.
In summary, Kanguva has a captivating story, but its weak execution makes it a letdown that may struggle at the box office. Although there’s a hint of a surprise cameo at the end, suggesting a sequel, it seems unlikely that a second part will actually be produced.
