South Indian actor Suriya, renowned for his performances in films like Ghajini, Jai Bhim, and Soorarai Pottru, is set to make his big-screen comeback after a two-year hiatus with the upcoming Tamil epic fantasy action film Kanguva. Directed by Siva, the film is slated for release on November 14, 2024, and is being touted as one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. In Kanguva, Suriya plays dual roles Kanguva and Francis Theodore adding an intriguing layer to the film’s narrative. The film also marks the Tamil debut of Bollywood actor Bobby Deol, who plays the antagonist, Udhiran, facing off against Suriya’s characters.
Given Suriya’s recent underwhelming box office performances, with films like Si3, Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, NGK, Kaappaan, and Etharkkum Thunindhavan not performing as expected, Kanguva is crucial for the actor’s comeback. The film’s success is seen as a vital milestone to re-establish Suriya’s dominance at the box office. However, pre-sales for the film, particularly in North America, have been slower than expected. As of early November, the film had generated just over USD 65,000 in pre-sales in the USA, and with just nine days to go before its premiere, it had been allotted around 380 locations and 1,000+ shows. Although around 3,000 tickets were sold for its premieres in the USA, the international reception has been tepid so far.
The first trailer of Kanguva was released on August 12, 2024, but it didn’t create the expected buzz among audiences. Given the film’s high stakes, a second trailer could be crucial in generating excitement and ensuring a strong opening. The success of Kanguva is particularly significant for Suriya, especially after the success of his OTT films like Jai Bhim and Soorarai Pottru. With a generation of moviegoers who have not seen a major Suriya box office hit, Kanguva has the potential to restore his standing in the industry provided the promotional efforts are ramped up effectively.
Following Kanguva, Suriya will also be seen in Suriya 44, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, where he stars alongside Pooja Hegde. The film has already wrapped up its shoot, keeping fans excited for his upcoming projects.
