Suriya’s Kanguva, despite its rough start in theaters, has emerged as an unexpected hit on Prime Video India. The film, an action-packed spectacle set in a prehistoric era, was initially met with mixed reviews upon its theatrical release, which led to widespread skepticism about its performance on OTT platforms. Yet, as Kanguva began streaming, it soon found its audience, soaring to the top of the charts.
However, the film’s success on streaming is not without its complications. The makers of Kanguva were clearly aware of the potential for online trolling and criticism once the film made its debut on OTT, which led them to cut several scenes before its release. Despite these efforts to reduce the ridicule, the film has still faced a massive wave of social media mockery.
This article delves into why Kanguva has managed to trend despite its controversial content, the scenes that were cut to avoid backlash, and the continuing reaction on social media.
Kanguva’s Initial OTT Reception: A Mixed Bag
At first glance, Kanguva seemed poised to be a major hit on Prime Video India. Directed by Siva and featuring stellar performances by Suriya, Bobby Deol, and Disha Patani, the film generated significant excitement before its OTT release. The early buzz centered around its grand visuals, high-budget action, and ambitious storyline set in a prehistoric world.
However, the film quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. Once it hit streaming platforms, viewers immediately took to social media to share their thoughts—many of them negative. From the over-the-top action to the strange character choices, Kanguva faced a wave of harsh reviews. While some viewers appreciated its visual appeal and action-packed sequences, others were left scratching their heads at the film’s incoherent plot and unnecessary melodrama.
Despite these critiques, the film has still managed to stay afloat, thanks to its cinematic grandeur and the star power of Suriya. Its visual spectacle, which includes epic battle scenes and sweeping landscapes, remains a major talking point, drawing in viewers who were curious to see what all the fuss was about.
The Cuts: Strategic Editing to Reduce Backlash
In an attempt to soften the blow of the critical reception, the filmmakers of Kanguva decided to cut several controversial scenes from the OTT version of the film. These scenes were believed to be too cringe-worthy or irrelevant, and removing them was a strategy to salvage the movie’s reputation.
By removing these scenes, the filmmakers hoped to minimize the film’s shortcomings and create a more cohesive viewing experience for the audience. However, it remains unclear whether these changes were enough to shift the overall perception of the film.
Social Media Reactions: The Rise of Trolls
Despite the changes made to the OTT version of Kanguva, social media reactions have continued to pour in, and most of them are overwhelmingly negative. Twitter and Instagram have become battlegrounds for viewers to share their thoughts, memes, and critiques of the film.
The general consensus on social media can be summed up as follows:
- Cringe-Worthy Moments: Certain scenes, particularly Yogi Babu’s cringe dialogue and the Tom & Jerry moment, have continued to dominate online conversations. While these scenes were cut in the OTT release, they remain a source of mockery due to the viral nature of memes and clips shared online.
- The Over-the-Top Action: While action lovers appreciated the grandiose battle scenes, many others found the excessive action and over-the-top stunts unrealistic and unnecessary. Some viewers felt that the film focused too much on spectacle and neglected character development.
- The Plot: Several users have called out the film’s confusing storyline. With its prehistoric setting and multiple subplots, the narrative has been described as cluttered and hard to follow.
- Excessive Melodrama: The film’s attempts at drama were also heavily criticized. Many felt that the emotional moments were forced and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the film. These elements have only fueled the online mocking.
As more viewers stream the film, the trolling is likely to continue. Social media users are notorious for jumping on trends, and Kanguva’s controversial scenes will likely fuel memes, reaction videos, and satire for weeks to come.
Will Kanguva Overcome Its Online Backlash?
While Kanguva has managed to trend at number 1 on Prime Video India, its future remains uncertain. Despite the initial success on streaming, the overwhelming negative reviews and the continuous trolling could hurt its long-term reputation.
In the coming days, the online reactions may intensify as more people watch the film and share their thoughts. Whether Kanguva will be remembered for its cinematic grandeur or its cringe-worthy moments is still up in the air.
One thing is clear, though: Kanguva has managed to achieve a level of attention few films ever do, albeit not always for the right reasons. Its controversial nature could ensure it remains in the public eye for a while, but whether that attention will turn into positive word-of-mouth remains to be seen.
A Mixed Reception for an Ambitious Film
Suriya’s Kanguva has proven that cinematic scale and star power can drive a film to the top of streaming charts, but the film’s content remains divisive. While it has captivated audiences with its visual appeal and action sequences, its awkward scenes and convoluted storyline have resulted in widespread criticism. The efforts to cut certain scenes before the OTT release show that the makers were aware of the film’s flaws, but whether these changes will save its reputation is uncertain.
