Kanguva

Did You Know?

• The first single 'Fire Song' was released on 23 July 2024, coinciding with Suriya's 49th birthday.
• A 94-second glimpse video revealing Suriya's appearance from the periodic portions was released on 23 July 2023.
• The film's music rights were purchased by Saregama.

Plot

In 2024, a young boy named Zeta flees from a Russian lab near India where he was part of experiments to boost brain power and give superhuman abilities. The lab's commander sends soldiers to bring him back. Meanwhile, in Goa, bounty hunter Francis Theodore works with his friend Colt 95 for the Goa Police, catching criminals. Francis's ex-girlfriend Angela and her partner Accelerator are competing bounty hunters. Zeta runs into Francis and begins tailing him. After seeing Colt kill a wanted person, Zeta tries to hide with Angela, but Francis brings him back. While traveling with Francis, Zeta has a seizure and ends up in the hospital. Francis lets the boy stay with him and Colt. At Francis's home, Zeta draws tribal symbols on the walls, which cause Francis to have strange memories from a past life. The soldiers tracking Zeta find him and attack, capturing the boy. Francis chases after them, and more pieces of his past come to light. In the year 1070, Roman soldiers try to take over Perumaachi, one of five islands near southern India. With a local named Koduvan helping them, they kill one hundred defenders. Senthee's son, Kanguva, kills Koduvan as punishment. Koduvan's wife Aeral gives their son Poruva to Kanguva and then dies by jumping into fire. Kanguva trains Poruva as a warrior. The Romans then team up with Udhiran, the chief of the island Arathi. Udhiran's sons attack, and Poruva stabs Kanguva, but Kanguva recovers and beats the sons. The tribe sends both Kanguva and Poruva to the Dark Island, where they form a close bond.

Production

In March 2019, reports claimed Suriya would collaborate with director Siva for a film produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green. The project was announced on 22 April 2019 under the tentative title Suriya 39. Nayanthara was reportedly in talks for the lead role. The film was expected to be a family drama set in a village, similar to Viswasam. Before filming could begin, Siva decided to direct a film starring Rajinikanth, and Suriya agreed to spare Siva for four months. The start of filming was pushed to November 2021 but did not happen. Siva began pre-production in January 2021. In March 2022, Devi Sri Prasad was chosen as music composer. The film was launched on 21 August 2022 in Chennai with a pooja ceremony, tentatively titled Suriya 42. Studio Green and UV Creations announced joint production on 24 August. Vetri and Richard Kevin were recruited for cinematography and editing, respectively. Supreme Sundar was reported as stunt choreographer. The motion poster released on 9 September revealed it as a period action film to be released in 3D. Nishadh Yusuf replaced Kevin as editor. Principal photography lasted seventeen months, wrapping in January 2024. Filming locations included Chennai, Goa, Kerala, Kodaikanal and Rajahmundry.

Release

Kanguva was released theatrically on 14 November 2024 in standard, 3D and IMAX formats. It was initially scheduled for 10 October 2024 but was postponed to avoid a clash with Vettaiyan. In the United Kingdom, the film was classified 15 by the BBFC for strong violence and bloody images, following a few seconds of cuts. The film was set to be released in 10 languages, later announced as 38 languages, and eventually confirmed for 8 languages theatrically, including French, Spanish and Russian. Chinese and Japanese versions were also planned. Studio Green's CEO G. Dhananjayan assured the film would be released on 10,000 screens worldwide, including 2,500 screens across South India and 3,000–3,500 across North India. In Tamil Nadu, it was released across 700 screens; in Kerala, over 500 screens were planned. The Tamil Nadu distribution rights were acquired by Abi & Abi Entertainment and Sakthi Film Factory. AA Films was initially the Hindi distribution partner, but Pen Studios reportedly acquired those rights in January 2023. Karnataka rights went to KVN Productions. UV Creations handled Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution. Nizam rights were acquired by Mythri Movie Makers. Kerala rights were acquired by Sree Gokulam Movies, distributed through Dream Big Films. International overseas rights were acquired by Phars Films, with UK and Europe distribution in association with Yash Raj Films. North American rights were acquired by Prathyangira Cinemas.

Controversies

Prior to release, Reliance Entertainment filed a lawsuit to stall the film, citing unsettled dues from Gnanavel Raja. Reliance claimed Raja had taken a loan for film production including Thangalaan but had only repaid part of it. The complainant sought to ban the theatrical release of Kanguva and the digital release of Thangalaan unless the remainder was settled. The Madras High Court dismissed the case after Raja ensured the remaining amount would be settled before release. On 12 November, the Madras High Court issued a restraining order against the film citing non-payment of dues related to an agreement between Raja and businessman Arjunlal Sunderdas. Sunderdas had invested in a planned film production but backed out after investing; he died insolvent in 2014. His official assignee filed a complaint in 2019 to recover dues with 18 percent interest. The assignee received only part of the amount, with Raja settling additional funds before Thangalaan's release. The court ordered that the film would not be released if the remaining amount was unsettled by 13 November. Senior counsel P. S. Raman submitted that Raja had deposited part of the amount and would settle the rest within four weeks. The court then lifted the restraining order, allowing the film's release.