Kanguva, directed by Siva and starring Suriya, was one of the most anticipated South Indian films of the year. A visual extravaganza blending two timelines, 1070 and 2024, it follows Suriya as both a fierce medieval tribal warrior and a modern-day bounty hunter.

While visually impressive, with high-quality VFX and grand sequences, the film struggles to strike the right balance between spectacle and storytelling.

Suriya, known for his intense performances, carries Kanguva with dedication, especially in the historical sequences where his transformation into a rugged warrior is captivating. However, the script itself fails to provide the emotional connection needed to fully engage audiences. The medieval portions show promise, exploring intriguing tribal traditions and warfare rituals. Yet, these cultural glimpses are brief and don’t delve deeply enough, leaving the historical setting feeling underdeveloped.

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The film’s alternating between the past and present timelines also creates issues. The shifts are often abrupt, weakening the continuity and leaving viewers wanting a more focused narrative.

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Disha Patani and Bobby Deol’s roles as the love interest and villain, respectively, lack depth, making their characters feel secondary to the visual and action-driven elements.

Kanguva does offer a strong sensory experience with its use of 3D effects, immersive fight sequences, and sweeping visuals, especially in the period setting. The movie also has other positive elements like impressive makeup, class production design and a story that connects the past and the present.

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However, these strengths are offset by pacing issues, repetitive action, and a lack of emotional resonance, making it feel like a visually enhanced video game rather than a cohesive film.

While Siva’s ambition is clear, with a loose script and not so impressive execution, Kanguva ultimately falls short of the engaging, epic narrative fans may have expected.

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