The story of Kanguva has been one of big hype and even bigger disappointment. Promoted as one of the biggest films of the year, if not the biggest, the overly ambitious makers aimed for a staggering 2000 crore mark. But what’s the reality check?
Kanguva struggled to reach the 105 crore mark, and with Pushpa 2 on the horizon, it won’t be long before it gets pushed out of the box office entirely.
So, is there any saving grace? Perhaps OTT. But how well can it perform on streaming platforms? Before its release, the hype was enormous, rivaling the likes of Kalki, even in non-Indian languages such as English, Spanish, and French.
Did the film manage to satisfy any group of viewers? Not really. The movie fell flat across the board, with even hardcore fans expressing disappointment. The VFX has been criticized as some of the worst in recent times, and the screenplay is too weak to merit discussion.
Star power can undoubtedly give a film a strong opening, but is that enough to sustain its success? Not at all. A movie needs more than just famous faces; it requires that elusive X factor. Whether it’s gripping action or wholesome entertainment, there has to be something special to keep audiences engaged.
However, these issues are secondary compared to the bigger enemy Kanguva faces—piracy. Reports suggest that an HD print of the film is already circulating online, and given the habits of those who pirate content, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches a wider audience.
In all this chaos, Prime Video emerges as the biggest loser. Not only did they overpay for an underperforming film, but piracy threatens to eat into the potential viewership on the platform as well.