Readers Write In #758: The Anti-Thesis of ‘Kanguva’

By Dr. Barath Janakiram

Kanguva is one of the rare films where I disagree with BR’s take on a film.One good thing that the sea of trolls and attacks on the movie did is that I went in expecting a reasonably bad movie. And I walked away with my mind blown! I was expecting a horrid first half hour from the trolling, but found it light-hearted and pleasantly engaging( a couple of put up accents aside I have to agree!). There were a few easter eggs too if you are attentive to the screen!

Before I go into further detail, I have to make something clear. I have no problem whatsoever if somebody doesn’t like a movie genre or tone. Everyone has preferences.The one thing that I was constantly reminded during the movie was BR’s review of Meiyazhagan. BR’s constant rumination on signature of a film maker really opened my mind and I rediscovered the film from that point of view on my second watch. I was smiling thoroughly and grateful for the review. 

So the following is my thesis

Kanguva is a Shiva film. We know who Shiva is. We know what he does. He has always been about loudness and high-points on screen, in all forms. He wears it proudly as a tag and no amount of trolling has made him back away from his approach. It’s what excites him. It’s his signature, if you will.I felt a little stunned at the interval point of Vedalam. I had viscerally enjoyed every bit of it and couldn’t understand why. I also remember it being really loud and jarring but I had no complaint whatsoever because I had enjoyed the experience. His construction of screenplay high points have dramatically worsened with his last film Annathe being one of his worst. 

But his movies curiously do better than they should. So he finds himself in a position where he still has access to the best in the industry.He desperately needs a redemption. He thinks up Kanguva.It lights a spark inside him. What better platform to showcase his signature loudness and high points? It’s core is set in islands of tribals thousands of years ago. Suriya as a tribal king.Shiva jumps into it in all earnesty.

What I found in Kanguva is his best effort till date. And I found it to be one the most satisfying experiences from a filmmaker. I transiently even forgave him for the suffering that was Annathe, because somehow I could appreciate the fact that at least he has maintained a consistency in his ouevre. The tribal loudness in Shiva’s mind has been consistent. It just needed the setting. I really bought into the tribal islands of the Aintheevu (5 islands). And not for minute did I find myself doubting that the actors on screen were anything other than tribal warlords and soldiers. I found the forgiveness arc really captivating. I loved how much effort had been put into making it a captivating 3D experience. I felt like I was there witnessing these tribal rituals in all it’s gore and glory. And I somehow felt that there was a quiet dignity in the core of the loudness and gore. Kanguva is a human I could respect, and in translation I felt the same about Shiva. For the first time in all his films I felt that about this filmmaker. 

And I walked away with a silent prayer for the film. I prayed that in this world of facebook, fan fights, trolls and negativity somehow this film finds its redemption in the box office. 

And I prayed that maybe we should embrace the gracious heart of Karthi’s character in Meizhaghagan and park the skepticism of Arul, albiet for a short time, before we start scrolling again.

P.S 

1) I watched the film after the screen volume was reduced, so that might have made a major difference to the experience

2)The CG watermark is standard in all films when there is depiction of animals and does not have anything to do with a choice of a director. So maybe BR should maybe park his Arul and give the Meiyazhagan inside him a chance and feel a little better about Kanguva? I know he will not love the film, but if he feels just a little better he would make both Premkumar and Shiva happy:)