Kanguva Review: A Fiery Suriya Struggles to Save a Cinematic Sinking Ship
Director Siva’s Kanguva had all the ingredients for a grand, multi-layered epic: a time-traveling narrative, a strong emotional core, larger-than-life action sequences, and a charismatic star in the form of Suriya. However, despite the impressive ambition and a hefty budget, the film falters under the weight of its convoluted writing, incoherent storytelling, and jarring tonal shifts. In the end, it’s a missed opportunity, a film that promises much but delivers very little. The Premise: A Tale of Two Timelines At its core, Kanguva weaves two distinct timelines. The present-day plot follows Francis, a bounty hunter (played by Suriya), who encounters a mysterious lost child. This child appears to share a deep, almost cosmic connection with Francis—one that traces back a millennium. As the story unfolds, we are transported 1000 years into the past to a land made up of five islands, each with its own set of traditions, professions, and rulers. Here, Suriya also plays the titular character Kanguva, the son of a chieftain in this ancient civilization, who is bound by a promise to protect the child. On paper, it’s an intriguing setup—blending a present-day mystery with a historical adventure. The film has the potential to dive into the themes of reincarnation, fate, and destiny, while exploring the emotional journey of two individuals bound together across time. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. The Disjointed Present-Day Sequences The present-day narrative in Kanguva is where the film first begins to show cracks. We are introduced to Francis, and his ex-girlfriend, Angelina (played by Disha Patani), both bounty hunters. They are paired with two comedic sidekicks, played by Yogi Babu and Redin Kingsley, but their interactions fall flat. The world they inhabit feels strangely out of place, with characters conversing in Tamil but with awkward English accents, and Francis indulging in VR games and using Siri to calculate the odds of bumping into someone. These modern-day sequences are an odd mismatch to the rest of the film’s ancient setting. Instead of grounding us in a vibrant, futuristic world that complements the epic nature of the story, we get a series of jarring moments that undermine the immersion. The bizarre side plot involving a kid escaping from a Russian facility only adds to the confusion, and the narrative feels disconnected from the main emotional thread. The Period Portion: A Visual Feast Gone to Waste When the film shifts to its period sequences, the visuals finally capture some of the grandeur the story promises. The world-building, aided by the late art director Milan’s meticulous designs and cinematographer Vetri’s stunning visuals, is a feast for the eyes. The island setting, with its diverse cultures and landscapes, stands out as one of the film’s few successes. The technical aspects of the film, particularly the sets, costumes, and cinematography, help create a world that’s both epic in scale and rich in detail. However, once the initial awe of the visuals wears off, the film’s weaknesses come to the forefront. The plot, though rooted in deep emotional stakes, becomes bogged down by unnecessary subplots and over-the-top action. The film introduces Udhiran (played by Bobby Deol), the leader of a bloodthirsty tribe, who brings a level of chaos and violence that feels forced. The Kalakeya-like tribe, with its savage nature and bloody confrontations, has been done better in films like Baahubali, and here, it adds little more than noise. Speaking of noise, the film’s sound design is a major hindrance. The decibel levels during key action sequences reach ear-splitting heights, testing the endurance of even the most patient viewer. The loud music, composed by Devi Sri Prasad, adds little to the emotional resonance of the scenes. Instead of enhancing the drama, it overwhelms it, making it difficult to follow the dialogue and diminishing the immersive experience that Kanguva desperately needed. Missed Potential in the Core Story At its heart, Kanguva is a story about a man’s relationship with a child, one who goes from being a stranger to a kin. It’s about love, betrayal, survival, and sacrifice. The emotional core has the potential to carry the film, much like the dynamic between Kratos and his son Atreus in God of War, where the bond between the two characters is central to the narrative. There are moments in Kanguva that hint at this powerful dynamic, particularly in the scenes where Kanguva and the child face peril together. These sequences, with their moments of quiet reflection and survival, are some of the film’s most compelling. But these moments are few and far between. The film is weighed down by unnecessary action set-pieces, some of which, like the crocodile battle, feel disconnected from the emotional arc. It’s as if the film is trying too hard to be both a grand historical epic and an action-packed thriller, losing focus in the process. There are flashes of thoughtful writing, such as when gold coins are held up to the eyes, symbolizing greed blinding a character, or the red wine spilling over a map to foreshadow impending violence. However, these moments are isolated and fail to connect with the broader narrative. Suriya’s Stellar Performance in a Failing Film Despite the film’s many flaws, Suriya emerges as the one undeniable highlight. His portrayal of Kanguva allows him to showcase his range, shifting between tenderness, ferocity, and quiet determination. As Francis, he brings an effortless charm, but it’s in the ancient world as Kanguva where he truly shines. The emotional weight of the character—someone bound by duty, love, and fate—gives Suriya the space to flex his acting chops, and he makes the most of it. Bobby Deol, though introduced as a menacing antagonist, is criminally underused. His character’s potential as a villain with depth is squandered, and instead, he is relegated to the role of a bloodthirsty marauder. Disha Patani, too, feels wasted in her role, with her character being more of a plot device than a fully realized person. Conclusion: A Misfire with a Sequel-Bait Ending In the end, Kanguva suffers from…
