Kanguva Movie Review: Suriya starrer fantasy movie suffers from a generic and over-the-top narration that denies satisfaction

As a die-hard fan of Tamil cinema who has witnessed Suriya’s evolution from a promising newcomer to a seasoned actor with unparalleled versatility, I must say that Kanguva was a bitter pill to swallow. After eagerly anticipating this fantasy action film for months, I found myself utterly underwhelmed by the final product.


On November 14, 2024, the movie “Kanguva” starring Suriya and Bobby Deol officially hit the cinemas. This film, directed by Siva, is an exciting blend of fantasy and action, narrating the story of a brave tribal leader who lived centuries ago.

As a dedicated follower, aside from Suriya and Bobby, I’m excited to share that Disha Patani graces the screen as our leading lady in this upcoming film. Joining her is an array of talented actors such as Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley, Natarajan Subramaniam, Kovai Sarala, and many more who lend their skills in supporting roles. To help you make a decision about whether to catch it at the cinema or not, here’s a review from TopMob for your perusal!

The Plot:

The movie titled Kanguva features Suriya and tells the story of Francis, a bounty hunter based in Goa, carrying out tasks to earn a living. In one of his assignments, he pursues a child that stirs memories from his old life.

This leads us to the tale of a tribal leader named Kanga, or Kanguva, a warrior prince who finds himself under attack by the Romans, intending to destroy his village and claim it for their own. As if this weren’t enough, an opposing clan aligns with the Romans, making it their mission to defeat Kanguva, which sets the stage for the rest of the narrative.

The movie explores the bond between Kanguva and Francis, spanning centuries, and its influence on their shared destiny.

The Good:

In a more straightforward manner, we could say: The action-fantasy film Kanguva’s greatest strength lies unquestionably in Suriya and his exceptional acting talent. With a significant investment of his time into this project, he showcased the best performance he could deliver, using his abilities effectively to enhance what was provided to him.

In the film, Suriya portrays two characters, but it’s the tribal warrior role that seemed more deeply developed. As for the movie’s technical aspects, Vetri Palanisamy’s cinematography was crucial in making the visuals captivating and immersive, transporting us into the film’s historical setting.

In another demonstration of his editing talent, Nishadh Yusuf has impressively proven himself yet again. Meanwhile, music maestro Devi Sri Prasad made an effort to steer a troubled vessel back on course, striking the appropriate chords at key moments.

The Bad:

Among Suriya’s movies, Kanguva is arguably one of the least impactful ones he’s produced in recent years. While the initial premise and execution provide an interesting glimpse into the world it portrays, as the story unfolds, the intended emotional connection seems to be lost.

The film aimed to captivate viewers through complex themes of love and camaraderie, yet it generally succeeded in this endeavor. However, the initial part seemed slow-paced, struggling to maintain momentum. The latter half made an effort to recover from these issues but ultimately fell short, missing the mark on several occasions.

In this film, Bobby Deol and Disha Patani were underused, merely serving as visual elements rather than contributing substantially to the plot. Unfortunately, the supporting cast also failed to deliver anything significant. The humor in the movie was awkward and grating, making the viewing experience even more uncomfortable. What was promoted as an epic period production left many questioning its creative decisions, as scenes seemed randomly inserted instead of contributing to world-building or character development.

The movie’s predictable, exaggerated script and flawed execution make it tough to enjoy, and the questionable creative decisions, particularly the underdeveloped visual effects, leave one pondering where the production budget was allocated.

The Performances:

Here, Suriya is brought up again as he seems to be the only redeeming aspect in this film. For an actor who continues to shine among the best in Tamil cinema, renowned for his understated performances and intricate subtleties, it’s disheartening that he’s involved in such a movie, especially given that it’s been 2.5 years since his last theater release.

As a devoted admirer of Bobby Deol’s acting prowess, I must admit he delivered another impressive performance. However, the script once again took center stage as the real antagonist in this production. Regrettably, an intriguing cameo appearance aimed to rescue the film, but unfortunately, it arrived too late for any significant impact.

Watch the trailer for Kanguva here:

The Verdict:

The highly anticipated film, “Kanguva,” marketed as a thrilling blend of fantasy and action, leaves much of its storyline unaddressed. Given the potential for letdown among dedicated Suriya enthusiasts, it might be wiser to skip this movie when it hits theaters.

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2024-11-14 10:24