- Stars: Surya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, and Karthi
- Writers: Siva, Adi Narayan, Mohan Karki
- Director: Siva
- Producers: K.E. Gnanavel Raja, Vamsi-Pramod
- Release Date: November 14, 2024
- Rating: 1/5
While reincarnation stories have been a proven success formula in cinema, they require a skilled director’s deft touch. Unlike the masterful handling seen in films like Subhash Ghai’s “Karz,” Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om,” or the recent “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” by Anees Bazmee, “Kanguva” falls considerably short of leaving any lasting impression.
Surya, making his Hindi cinema debut, brings considerable star power from Tamil cinema. However, this ambitious project, initially announced in 2019 and delayed by the pandemic, fails to do justice to his talent. The story spans a thousand years across five islands, reminiscent of “Devara Part One,” focusing on conflicts between indigenous tribes and foreign invaders.
The narrative follows Kanguva, a prince from one of these islands, who must face off against Udhiran, a ruler from an island where bodies are traditionally offered to crows during funeral rites. The film attempts to weave together historical drama with contemporary elements, including a 2024 subplot involving corrupt police commissioners and hired criminals.
The movie suffers from two major excesses: gratuitous violence and ear-splitting background music. Action director Supreme Sundar, known for “Animal,” goes overboard with the blood and gore. Director Siva seems to have given too much creative freedom to the action sequences while neglecting the overall narrative coherence.
Despite having Disha Patani in the cast, her role is so minimal that viewers might forget she’s part of the film. Even Yogi Babu gets more screen time than the leading lady. Bobby Deol, who initially showed enthusiasm for the project during “Animal’s” success party, notably distanced himself from promotional activities as the release date approached.
The technical aspects of the film also disappoint. Music director Devi Sri Prasad’s songs fail to leave an impression, and the background score is more overwhelming than complementary. The editing is particularly problematic, resulting in an exhausting runtime that tests viewers’ patience well before the interval.
For a film marking Surya’s Hindi debut, “Kanguva” does a disservice to his established reputation. Known for his versatile performances in Tamil cinema (with successful Hindi remakes like “Ghajini,” “Singham,” and “Soorarai Pottru”), Surya’s character here is reduced to displaying mainly anger and aggression, missing the nuanced performance audiences have come to expect from him.
