As the 97th Academy Awards approach, the film Kanguva, starring Tamil superstar Suriya and Bollywood actor Bobby Deol, has unexpectedly entered the Oscars 2025 race. Despite being one of the biggest box-office disappointments of 2024, this epic fantasy action drama is competing against critically acclaimed films such as Girls Will Be Girls and All We Imagine as Light.
Kanguva’s Journey to the Oscars
A Box-Office Disappointment
Directed by Siruthai Siva, Kanguva was highly anticipated due to its star-studded cast and substantial budget of ₹300-350 crore. However, upon its release, the film grossed only ₹106 crore, making it a significant financial failure. The film’s poor reception led to its quick transition to digital platforms shortly after its theatrical run.
Competing with Acclaimed Films
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released a list of 323 feature films eligible for the Oscars this year, with 207 films qualifying for the Best Picture category. Among these are six Indian films, including:
- Kanguva (Tamil)
- Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Hindi)
- Santosh (Hindi)
- Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Hindi)
- All We Imagine as Light (Malayalam-Hindi)
- Girls Will Be Girls (Hindi-English)
While some fans celebrate South Indian cinema’s representation at the Oscars, many are questioning how a film like Kanguva, which received negative reviews and failed at the box office, could be considered alongside more successful entries.
Kanguva Movie Cast
Kanguva features an impressive ensemble cast:
- Suriya as Kanguva / Francis Theodore
- Bobby Deol as Udhiran
- Disha Patani as Angela
- Natarajan Subramaniam as Koduvan
- Yogi Babu as Colt 95
- K.S. Ravikumar as Nolasco Raposo
- Redin Kingsley, Kovai Sarala, and others in supporting roles.
Ratings on Different Platforms
Despite its box-office performance, the film has received mixed reviews across various platforms:
- IMDb: 5.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 42% (Critics) / 55% (Audience Score)
- BookMyShow: 3.2/5
The disparity in ratings reflects the divided opinions among audiences and critics regarding the film’s execution and storytelling.
Fan Reactions
The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many users expressed disbelief and humor regarding Kanguva’s nomination. Comments ranged from “Is this a joke?” to “Kanguva at the Oscars? What’s next, a Grammy for the soundtrack?” Memes and jokes flooded platforms like Twitter as fans reacted to the news.
Notable Competitors
In contrast to Kanguva’s mixed reception, both Girls Will Be Girls and All We Imagine as Light have garnered critical acclaim and even received nominations at the Golden Globes. This has led to further discussions about the criteria for Oscar nominations and how films are selected.
Upcoming Oscar Timeline
The voting process for Oscar nominations will take place from January 8 to January 12, 2025, with final nominations announced on January 17, 2025. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on current reports and may be subject to change as new data becomes available.
