# Kanguva

**Kanguva** (கங்குவா) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language epic fantasy action film directed by Siva and produced by Studio Green together with UV Creations, starring Suriya in dual roles alongside [Bobby Deol](https://www.edgepedia.org/bobby-deol) and [Disha Patani](https://www.edgepedia.org/disha-patani).<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup> Made on a reported budget of around ₹3 billion–3.5 billion (₹300–350 crore), it was released worldwide on 14 November 2024 in standard, 3D and IMAX formats and in ten languages.<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup> Despite its scale, the film received mixed to negative reviews and earned about ₹703.7 million (₹70.37 crore) net in India.<sup>[2](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kanguva/box-office/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[20](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Suriya_42_2023)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director / producers | Siva; Studio Green (K. E. Gnanavel Raja) with UV Creations<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup> |
| Cast | Suriya in dual roles; Bobby Deol as the antagonist Udhiran; Disha Patani as Angela; both Deol and Patani made their Tamil debuts with the film<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Oct/20/suriyas-kanguva-audio-launch-to-happen-on-this-date)</sup> |
| Technical crew | Music by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematography by Vetri Palanisamy, editing by Nishadh Yusuf<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup> |
| Budget | Around ₹3 billion–3.5 billion (₹300–350 crore), among the most expensive Indian films made<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup> |
| Release | 14 November 2024, in standard, 3D and IMAX formats and ten languages; runtime 154 minutes<sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/kanguva)</sup> |
| India box office | approximately ₹240 million (₹24 crore) net on opening day; ₹703.7 million (₹70.37 crore) net lifetime in India<sup>[2](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kanguva/box-office/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[21](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kanguva-box-office-collection-day-2-detailed-report-giant-drop-for-suriya-fantasy-drama-2634278-2024-11-16)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[20](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Suriya_42_2023)</sup> |
| Critical response | Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 51% from 8 reviews; consensus described as mixed or negative<sup>[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kanguva)</sup> |

## Spoilers

### Plot and structure

The film shuttles between two timelines about a millennium apart. In 1070, Kanga, also called Kanguva, is the future king of Perumaachi, an island village whose people pride themselves on loyalty to their clan; when Roman forces seek a foothold in India, they target the island, and a foreign invader manipulates a rival clan led by Udhiran (Bobby Deol).<sup>[7](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/kanguva-review-a-sincere-suriya-navigates-a-whole-lot-of-empty-noise)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/kanguva-movie-opinion-suriya-bobby-deol-siva-tamil-cinema-2633607-2024-11-15)</sup> In 2024, Suriya plays Francis, a bounty hunter in Goa whose life changes when he meets a young boy escaped from a brain-experiment facility and senses an otherworldly connection to him.<sup>[7](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/kanguva-review-a-sincere-suriya-navigates-a-whole-lot-of-empty-noise)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[9](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/reviews/theatrical/kanguva-review-a-shoddy-monument-to-superstardom)</sup> The mystery of how the two lives intersect forms the film's premise.<sup>[10](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2024/11/14/kanguva-movie-review-suriya-siva-disha-patani-tamil-film.html)</sup> [The Australian](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-australian) classification describes the story as a tribal war started a thousand years ago mysteriously linked to a modern-day crime, an undercover cop investigating it, and the victim.<sup>[4](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/kanguva)</sup>

The film ends with a surprise cameo by Karthi and a hook setting up a second part.<sup>[11](https://jammuuniversity.ac.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/ALL%2520ENGLISH%2520EDITORIAL%252013-12-2024.pdf)</sup>

## Title and setting

Director Siva explained that the Tamil word *kangu* means fire, and Kanguva means "a man with the power of fire", though he cautioned against a literal reading: the character has no superpowers, and the film is not a fantasy in the supernatural sense. Fire worship from ancient times supplies the thematic connection.<sup>[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Apr/16/exclusive-kanguva-is-a-fictional-story-set-in-an-imaginary-world-says-director-siva-42406.html)</sup> He described the film as "a fictional story set in an imaginary world with strong historical references and facts", set 1,500 years ago and drawing on ancient [Tamil culture](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-culture) alongside other cultures from across India.<sup>[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Apr/16/exclusive-kanguva-is-a-fictional-story-set-in-an-imaginary-world-says-director-siva-42406.html)</sup>

## Production and release

Kanguva was Suriya's 42nd film, announced under that working title before its name was revealed in a title announcement video released in ten languages.<sup>[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Oct/20/suriyas-kanguva-audio-launch-to-happen-on-this-date)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYveXoqd-zY)</sup> Siva said the project had been in development for over three years, with artwork crafted in large studio spaces to build the film's world.<sup>[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Apr/16/exclusive-kanguva-is-a-fictional-story-set-in-an-imaginary-world-says-director-siva-42406.html)</sup> The audio launch was held on 26 October 2024 at Nehru Stadium, Chennai.<sup>[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Oct/20/suriyas-kanguva-audio-launch-to-happen-on-this-date)</sup>

**Release date changes.** The film was initially scheduled for 10 October 2024, but after Rajinikanth's *Vettaiyan* was announced for the same date, the makers moved *Kanguva* to 14 November 2024, [Children's Day](https://www.edgepedia.org/childrens-day).<sup>[13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriyas-kanguva-release-date-officially-revealed/articleshow/113480100.cms)</sup> Producer K. E. Gnanavel Raja explained that a Diwali release would have limited the film to roughly 4,000–5,000 screens.<sup>[14](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-kanguva-movie-surya-and-siruthi-siva-combo-nov14th-release-7568812)</sup> The team also negotiated a deal to release the Hindi dubbed version on an OTT platform after eight weeks, which allowed a wide North Indian multiplex release expected to exceed 3,000 screens, breaking the earlier pattern in which Hindi versions of Tamil films played only single screens.<sup>[15](https://tfapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/trade-guide-november-2024.pdf)</sup>

## Reception and box office

Publications described the critical consensus on release as mixed or negative.<sup>[16](https://ijr.com/x/kanguva-Q118485602?tab=about)</sup> Reviewers consistently singled out Suriya's performance while criticizing the writing. [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) gave 2.5 out of 5, writing that the film "revels in its familiarity, impresses in its visuals, but leaves a lot to be desired in the execution".<sup>[17](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kollywood-movie-review/kanguva-movie-review-an-earnest-suriya-gives-his-all-for-a-siva-film-that-doesnt-give-him-enough-9668789/)</sup> Firstpost and [Times Now](https://www.edgepedia.org/times-now) gave 3 out of 5, with Firstpost calling it "a decent entertainer with Suriya's impeccable performance being the biggest highlight"; India Today, The Times of India, News18, and Pinkvilla gave 2.5 out of 5, faulting convoluted writing and an unfocused story.<sup>[16](https://ijr.com/x/kanguva-Q118485602?tab=about)</sup> The Hollywood Reporter India's review placed the film within a wave of similar Indian fantasy-period-action epics, noting how loosely its two timelines connect.<sup>[9](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/reviews/theatrical/kanguva-review-a-shoddy-monument-to-superstardom)</sup> On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a Tomatometer score of 51% from 8 reviews.<sup>[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kanguva)</sup>

**Box office.** The film opened to approximately ₹240 million (₹24 crore) net in India on 14 November 2024, dropped to ₹90 million (₹9 crore) on its second day, and finished with ₹703.7 million (₹70.37 crore) net in India, against a budget reported at ₹3 billion–3.5 billion (₹300–350 crore).<sup>[2](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kanguva/box-office/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[21](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kanguva-box-office-collection-day-2-detailed-report-giant-drop-for-suriya-fantasy-drama-2634278-2024-11-16)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[20](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Suriya_42_2023)</sup> Ormax Media's monthly report recorded that *Kanguva* was the only non-Hindi film of November 2024 to gross more than ₹500 million (₹50 crore) domestically, despite a strong opening across regions followed by a sharp decline.<sup>[18](https://www.ormaxmedia.com/insights/stories/download-file.php?key=the-india-box-office-report-november-2024&type=pdf)</sup> Commentators compared its post-release fate to Suriya's *Anjaan* (2014), which similarly failed under the weight of expectations.<sup>[16](https://ijr.com/x/kanguva-Q118485602?tab=about)</sup> A retrospective in The Indian Express a year after release described the film as ambition without narrative clarity.<sup>[19](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/1-year-of-siva-suriyas-kanguva-a-lesson-in-misguided-spectacle1-year-of-siva-suriyas-kanguva-a-lesson-in-misguided-spectacle-10362192/)</sup>

## References

1. [Kanguva (2024), TamilMDb](https://www.tamilmdb.com/movie/6974/2024-kanguva)
2. [Kanguva Box Office Collection, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kanguva/box-office/)
3. [Suriya's Kanguva audio launch to happen on this date, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Oct/20/suriyas-kanguva-audio-launch-to-happen-on-this-date)
4. [Kanguva, Australian Classification](https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/kanguva)
5. [Kanguva, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kanguva)
6. [EXCLUSIVE: 'Kanguva is a fictional story set in an imaginary world,' says director Siva, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Apr/16/exclusive-kanguva-is-a-fictional-story-set-in-an-imaginary-world-says-director-siva-42406.html)
7. [Kanguva review: A sincere Suriya navigates a whole lot of empty noise, The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/kanguva-review-a-sincere-suriya-navigates-a-whole-lot-of-empty-noise)
8. [Kanguva: Latest product of Tamil cinema's FOMO that disrespects audience, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/kanguva-movie-opinion-suriya-bobby-deol-siva-tamil-cinema-2633607-2024-11-15)
9. ['Kanguva' Review: A Shoddy Monument To Superstardom, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/reviews/theatrical/kanguva-review-a-shoddy-monument-to-superstardom)
10. ['Kanguva': Suriya's powerhouse performance fail to overcome a flawed script, Onmanorama](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2024/11/14/kanguva-movie-review-suriya-siva-disha-patani-tamil-film.html)
11. [Editorial compilation, 13 December 2024, University of Jammu](https://jammuuniversity.ac.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/ALL%2520ENGLISH%2520EDITORIAL%252013-12-2024.pdf)
12. [Kanguva - Title Announcement, Saregama Tamil, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYveXoqd-zY)
13. [Suriya's 'Kanguva' release date officially revealed, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriyas-kanguva-release-date-officially-revealed/articleshow/113480100.cms)
14. [தீபாவளி தினத்தில் திரைக்கு வராதது ஏன்? கங்குவா தரப்பு விளக்கம், Tamil Indian Express](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-kanguva-movie-surya-and-siruthi-siva-combo-nov14th-release-7568812)
15. [KANGUVA – THE FIRST PAN-INDIAN, Trade Guide, November 2024, TFAPA](https://tfapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/trade-guide-november-2024.pdf)
16. [Kanguva, IJR](https://ijr.com/x/kanguva-Q118485602?tab=about)
17. [Kanguva Movie Review: An earnest Suriya gives his all for a Siva film that doesn't give him enough, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kollywood-movie-review/kanguva-movie-review-an-earnest-suriya-gives-his-all-for-a-siva-film-that-doesnt-give-him-enough-9668789/)
18. [The India Box Office Report: November 2024, Ormax Media](https://www.ormaxmedia.com/insights/stories/download-file.php?key=the-india-box-office-report-november-2024&type=pdf)
19. [1 year of Siva-Suriya's Kanguva: A lesson in misguided spectacle, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/1-year-of-siva-suriyas-kanguva-a-lesson-in-misguided-spectacle1-year-of-siva-suriyas-kanguva-a-lesson-in-misguided-spectacle-10362192/)
20. [Kanguva (2024) Box Office Collection, Review & Rating, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Suriya_42_2023)
21. [Kanguva box office Day 2: Giant drop on Friday for Suriya's fantasy drama](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kanguva-box-office-collection-day-2-detailed-report-giant-drop-for-suriya-fantasy-drama-2634278-2024-11-16)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films of the 2020s › Tamil films of 2026 and upcoming*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

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