Siva’s directorial film ‘Kanguva’, featuring Bobby Deol and Suriya, promised an edge-of-your-seat experience since the release of its trailer. Now that I have seen the film, I can confidently say that it delivers just that. The movie provides an adrenaline rush as the drama unfolds, but what truly stands out? Read on to find out.
The story begins in the year 1070, where an old lady narrates a tale to a group of children. As the story unfolds, we are transported to 2024 in an undisclosed location in India, where a group of Russian scientists are conducting research on altering the brain cells of children. Enter Zeta, a character that evokes strong memories of Eleven from, Stranger Things. While this storyline seems to lead towards a coherent narrative, we are introduced to Francis and Angela (played by Suriya and Disha Patani), who are bounty hunters working with the Goa police to catch criminals while enjoying their luxurious lives. Everything seems to be going well until Zeta disrupts their existence. The film then shifts back to 1070, where Suriya makes a spectacular entry as Kanguva. whistles
While the first half of the film starts slowly, things pick up significantly as the story progresses. When it gains momentum, it does so spectacularly! The villain, played by Bobby Deol, known as Udhiran, adds a menacing presence. The intermission occurs at a crucial moment, and after that, the madness truly begins. The second half of the film is much more action-packed than the first, with the creator maintaining high energy through thrilling action sequences, emotional moments, and DSP’s captivating background score.
‘Kanguva’, tells the story of a promise made by a warrior to a child, a promise that endures for centuries. However, there are aspects that could have been improved. One concern is Disha Patani’s portrayal; while she appears to have significant potential to contribute to the story, her character becomes forgettable as the film progresses. By the end of the movie, you find yourself wanting a resurrection of those first 30 minutes, but it seems to only come towards the climax, hinting at a sequel—yes, ‘Kanguva 2’ is on the way. It seems we should have anticipated this! While Bobby’s character adds depth to the narrative, I felt he was underutilized. I expected more from his character, and even though he does deliver, it still leaves you craving more.
The standout throughout the film, of course, is Suriya. Whether as Francis in 2024 or Kanguva in 1070, he brings such nuance to his character that you leave the theatre with your heart won over. As Kanguva, he embodies a hero who is both brutal and tender, creating a perfect character arc in a high-action story.
Overall, ‘Kanguva’, delivers exactly what it promises: an adrenaline rush that leaves you excited for part two. I would rate it 3.5 stars.