Tamil actor Suriya’s magnum opus Kanguva is one of the most awaited films of 2024. Thanks to stunning visuals and big claims from producer KE Gnanavel Raja, Kanguva managed to create the right buzz (or not) among fans. When the film released on 14 November, it received a lukewarm response.

Within hours, clips from pre-release events of Kanguva and Suriya and the makers became fodder for memes. What causes trolling and adverse reviews? Is this a story? Display? Execution? Let’s dig!

Spoilers ahead!

Canguva and its shortcomings

Director Siva’s ambitious vision of setting up Kanguva on a large scale is not wrong. But where the film went wrong was in its execution. Setting up a fantasy world of five clans and incorporating two timelines to address themes like promise, betrayal, forgiveness, and prophecy makes for an interesting story on paper.

Kanguva is technically a good film, but it faltered in terms of its haphazard screenplay. Instead of moving the story along, director Shiva showed a reel of important moments without proper connection between them. Take, for example, the transition between the present and past parts.

However, the biggest problem in Kanguwa is the lack of strong conflict.

Lack of strong conflicts weakens Suriya’s film

In Suriya’s nearly 30-minute film, we are introduced to a group of Romanians who make Canguva’s (played by Suriya) island, Perumachi, their base. Initially, Koduvan (Natti alias Natarajan Subramaniam) turns traitor and is killed. His wife also ends up in the Sati sequence. This initial conflict drives the story forward, and Koduvan’s death leads to Kanguva adopting his son, while the younger child seeks to avenge his father’s death.

The Romanians then seek the help of King Udhiran (Bobby Deol) of the Arathi clan. As we are introduced to the island of Arathi, one of the five islands of the archipelago, we see a red and sepia background, consistent with the anger of King Udhiran. He growls, screams and kills anyone who comes in his way. While all these elements make Udhiran dangerous, the one-dimensional approach to his character creates Kanguva an unpleasant watch.

The face-off between Kanguva and Udhiran should have been a solid moment that sets the stage for a great dramatic experience. Sadly, this ends up being another fight sequence where the villain is killed. Additionally, we do not get any background story for Kanguva and Udhiran or the rivalry of their respective clans. Each conflict in Kanguva ends with a convenient resolution, indicating that the film is about moving from one conflict to another without reaching a solid climax.

Bobby Deol, who? Got recognition from the character of Abrar The controversial film Animal has been turned into a caricature in this film.

The climax with a cameo by Suriya’s actor-brother Karthi should have been the pinnacle. However, by the time we reach the end of the film, the script tires you out. Even the cameo, which marks the first collaboration between brothers Suriya and Karthi, hardly evokes any emotion.

Karthi plays Rathangusan, one of Udhiran’s sons, who wants Aarti’s throne. Kanguva, Koduvan’s sons Poruvan and Rathangusan are reborn in the present day as Francis, Zeta and Commander Ryan. How they fulfill the various promises/desires will be explored in Kanguva 2.

Kanguva is a film with big ambitions but subpar execution. The film’s theatrical performance and box office collection will determine its acceptance among fans. If Siva goes ahead with Kanguva 2, a lot of work will need to be done to overcome the shortcomings of the first part and truly satisfy the audience.