Kanguva : Big on action

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*Kanguva* is a reincarnation drama with a supernatural twist. The story follows Francis (Suriya), a Goa-based bounty hunter, who helps a runaway child, unaware of their connection. The child starts having visions of his past life, revealing that Francis was once Kanguva, a legendary warrior of his tribe. In his previous life, Kanguva fought to protect his people from Roman invaders and their ally, Udhiran (Bobby Deol).

While the concept sounds promising, the execution falls short. Director Siva rushes through the plot, leaving little room for depth or meaningful moments. The film begins in 2024 but quickly shifts to a flashback set a thousand years ago, where the story becomes more engaging. The present-day scenes, however, feel forced, with Suriya’s bounty hunter character failing to resonate. Disha Patani, as his rival, adds little more than visual appeal.

The strongest parts of the film are the moments between Suriya and the child, which form the heart of the story. However, even this relationship is rushed. Similarly, Bobby Deol’s portrayal of Udhiran is underwhelming. His character is presented as a formidable warrior, but the film never allows him to fully express his grief or pain after losing his sons in battle. This lack of emotional depth leads to a lackluster climax between him and Kanguva. Bobby gives his all in his Tamil debut, but his talents are underused.

The film’s cinematography, especially in the jungle sequences, is impressive, capturing the natural beauty. However, the background music is often too loud and distracting. The visual effects lack detail, and while the fight choreography is solid, there are inconsistencies in the writing—like the sudden appearance of snow-covered mountains in an island setting and Francis performing stunts despite being wounded.

Suriya, as always, delivers a strong performance. He elevates the film with his emotional depth, particularly in the scenes with the child. Despite the film’s flaws, his performance keeps the audience engaged. The film ends with a logical conclusion but leaves room for a sequel, introducing Karthi as the villain. The idea of Suriya and Karthi, real-life brothers, facing off on-screen is an exciting prospect for future films.