Kanguva Review: Suriya Shines, but the Execution Falls Short

Director Siruthai Siva’s Kanguva, starring Suriya and Bobby Deol, brims with potential but struggles with subpar execution and disjointed writing. While Suriya’s heartfelt performance lends the film strength, other aspects hinder its impact.

Suriya anchors the film with sincerity, especially in action and emotional scenes, but Bobby Deol’s character is underdeveloped. Despite attempts to add menace through intense expressions and slow-motion shots, the character lacks depth. Disha Patani, too, has limited screen time, with even supporting actors getting significant action scenes in comparison.

Kanguva is intense—perhaps overwhelmingly so. The dialogue delivery is loud, with every character, from Suriya’s to Bobby Deol’s, dialed up to the max. Devi Sri Prasad’s thunderous soundtrack only amplifies this, leaving little room for quiet moments and making the experience feel overwhelming even after the credits roll.

Visually, however, Kanguva shines. Thanks to Vetri Palanisamy’s cinematography, the world of Kanguva is richly depicted, with contrasts between clans adding visual depth.

The film had a unique premise that could have been captivating. If the narrative had delved deeper into Kanga’s history, explored family dynamics, or expanded on the political intrigue between the five clans, Kanguva might have been a more compelling experience. However, the urge for a sequel clouds the film’s focus, ending with a cameo that hints at continuation. It raises the question: should every film aim to become a franchise, or could it stand stronger as a complete story?

Kanguva Movie Review Highlights:

Rating: ⭐⭐

Release Date: 14 Nov, 2024

Strengths: Suriya’s performance, cinematography

Weaknesses: Disjointed storytelling, underdeveloped ideas

Kanguva: An Ambitious Concept That Falls Short

After a 2.5-year hiatus, Suriya returns to the big screen with Kanguva. With grand expectations from producer KE Gnanavel Raja and Suriya’s promotional push, the film aimed for an ambitious Rs 2,000 crore worldwide revenue. But does it live up to the high hopes? Let’s explore.

The story bridges past and present, with Suriya portraying both Francis, a bounty hunter in 2024, and Kanga, a prince from 1,000 years ago. Kanga’s tribe faces threats from Romanians aiming to conquer his village, Perumachi, alongside another faction led by the sinister Udhiran (Bobby Deol). As conflicts intensify, a connection between Francis and Kanga emerges as the core of the plot.

Director Siruthai Siva’s approach to intertwining two timelines is bold, but the film falters in its execution. Initial scenes featuring the present-day storyline are sluggish, with humor that falls flat and an almost disorienting mix of popular memes seemingly inserted to capture the younger audience. The film’s narrative finally gains momentum once the period storyline unfolds.

While Kanguva evokes the spirit of Magadheera, it lacks the coherence and intensity of its inspiration. The screenplay is erratic, with jarring shifts—one moment Kanga is stabbed, and in the next, he’s standing victorious atop a mountain of enemies. Some moments hold promise, like a scene where Udhiran grieves two fallen comrades, yet these emotional beats are rushed. Language inconsistencies also disrupt the experience; characters switch from ancient to colloquial Tamil, pulling the audience out of the story’s period setting.

In conclusion, Kanguva is an ambitious yet flawed fantasy drama. Its concepts soar, but the film stumbles in execution, leaving a sense of missed opportunity. While Suriya’s performance and the film’s striking visuals offer moments of brilliance, the inconsistent narrative and underdeveloped characters ultimately hold it back.