Studio Green, UV Creations, KVN Productions and PEN Studios’ Kanguva (dubbed from the Tamil film of the same name; UA) is an epic fantasy action film.
The story starts a thousand years ago. Kanguva (Suriya) is a brave and conscientious young man who protects the people of his island as a mother would protect her children. One day, Kanguva announces the death penalty for a man whose wife also dies soon after her husband is burned alive, leaving the responsibility of their son to Kanguva. On his part, Kanguva treats the child as his own, but the child resents and hates Kanguva as he views him as his father’s murderer. Over time, the child has a change of heart when he realises that Kanguva loves him and would go to any lengths to protect him. A thousand years later, Francis (Suriya) is a shadow policeman who, in the discharge of his duties, kills a man whose son, therefore, hates him. How Francis turns the son of the dead man over a new leaf forms the crux of Francis’ story. Why Kanguva was reborn as Francis is explained in the end.
Siva and Adi Narayana have written a story which is far-fetched but interesting in parts. The first half is quite boring but the story becomes engaging after interval. The duo’s screenplay is entertaining in the second half. However, the drama is so replete with action, gruesome violence, bloodshed and gore that the ladies and family audience will be put off. Also, since the screenplay is very long-winding and also boring in parts, it will not keep the audience engaged throughout. There are too many characters and since most of them are played by actors unknown to the Hindi film-going viewers, this will be another minus point. The climax is interesting but again, it is too lengthy. Dialogues are alright. A word here about the dialogues and sound mixing. The mixing is so shoddy that many dialogues are incomprehensible because one can’t hear them clearly. At times, the background music score is too loud and at times, the dialogues are unclear. The subtitling for the English dialogues are so badly done that they serve almost no purpose.
Suriya is extraordinary as Kanguva and Francis. It is a delight to watch him perform. He looks extremely handsome, has worked hard on his physique, and acts with great aplomb. He breathes fire in action scenes. Disha Patani is an ornamental piece as Francis’ girlfriend, Angelina. She looks sexy. Bobby Deol is so-so in the role of Udhiran. There is nothing noteworthy about his villainy. Karthi leaves a lovely mark in a special appearance. Yogi Babu is okay as Colt 95. Redin Kingsley does a fair job as Accelerator. Natarajan Subramaniam, Kovai Sarala, Anandaraj, K.S. Ravikumar, Prem Kumar, Karunas and Bose Venkat provide nice support. Others do as required.
Siva’s direction is good but he seems to have ignored the ladies and family audience as there isn’t much for them in the film. Devi Sri Prasad’s music is quite nice but having said that, it must be added that no song has become popular in Hindi. Lyrics are quite appealing. Song picturisations (by Shobi and Prem Rakshith) are lovely. Devi Sri Prasad’s background music is extraordinary. Vetri Palanisamy’s cinematography is simply remarkable. Action scenes and stunts (by Supreme Sundar) are exciting and thrilling. But the overdose of violence is a negative point for womenfolk and families. Milan’s art direction is of a fine standard. Nishad Yusuf’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is good.
On the whole, Kanguva is a flop show.
Released on 14-11-’24 at Inox (daily 5 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: below the mark. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was not up to the mark at many places.