Kanguva, a Tamil epic fantasy film starring Suriya and Bobby Deol, has entered the 2025 Oscar race as one of 207 films competing for Best Picture. Released in November 2024, the ₹350 crore film tells the story of a tribal warrior’s struggle in 1070 AD mysteriously connected to a present-day cop. Despite mixed reviews and earning only ₹106 crore at the box office, it met Oscar eligibility criteria by having a seven-day U.S. theatrical run. Voting begins January 8, 2025, with final nominations announced January 17. The film is one of seven Indian entries, including the first-ever Bengali film to compete.
Kanguva Oscar Journey: A Big Moment for Tamil Cinema
Suriya’s Kanguva has surprised everyone by entering the race for the 97th Academy Awards. Despite its struggles at the box office, this Tamil epic fantasy action film is now competing with some of the best movies in the world. Here’s everything you need to know about Kanguva’s Oscar journey, its competition, and what lies ahead.
Breaking News: Kanguva in the Oscar Race
Kanguva, directed by Siruthai Siva, is now one of 207 films eligible for the Best Picture category at the Oscars 2025. This is a huge achievement for Tamil cinema, as it marks one of the rare times a Tamil film has made it this far.
The movie stars:
- Suriya in a dual role
- Bobby Deol as the antagonist
- Disha Patani as the female lead
Released on November 14, 2024, Kanguva was made on a massive budget of ₹350 crore but only earned ₹96 crore at the box office. Despite mixed reviews, it has found its way into the prestigious Oscar race.
Film Background: What Is Kanguva About?
Kanguva is an epic fantasy action film that blends history and fiction. The story follows Suriya in dual roles—one as Francis, a modern-day bounty hunter, and another as Kanguva, a warrior from 1070 AD. The film explores themes of legacy and redemption through stunning visuals and intense action sequences.
Key Details:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹350 crore |
| Box Office Earnings | ₹96 crore |
| OTT Release Date | December 8, 2024 |
| Streaming Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
While critics praised Suriya’s performance and the visual effects, they criticized the loud background score and underwhelming storyline.
Oscar Eligibility Details
To qualify for the Oscars, films must meet strict rules:
- They must screen in U.S. theaters for at least seven days.
- They should have been released between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
- Films must be longer than 40 minutes.
Kanguva met all these criteria and is now competing with 323 global films, out of which only 207 are eligible for Best Picture.
Indian Contenders
Kanguva is one of seven Indian films in contention:
- Kanguva (Tamil)
- Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Hindi)
- Girls Will Be Girls (Hindi-English)
- Santosh (Hindi)
- All We Imagine as Light (Malayalam-Hindi)
- Putul (Bengali)
- Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Hindi)
Among these, critically acclaimed films like Girls Will Be Girls and All We Imagine as Light are seen as strong competitors.
Important Dates to Watch
The road to an Oscar nomination is long and competitive. Here’s what’s next for Kanguva:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination Voting Begins | January 8, 2025 |
| Voting Ends | January 12, 2025 |
| Final Nominations Announced | January 17, 2025 |
| Oscars Ceremony | March 2, 2025 |
Voting has already started today (January 8), and Academy members will decide which films make it to the final nominations list.
Industry Impact: A Win for Tamil Cinema
Kanguva’s entry into the Oscars race is a big moment for Tamil cinema and South Indian films overall. Despite its poor box office performance, this achievement shows that Tamil movies can compete on a global stage.
Why It Matters:
- It highlights South Indian cinema’s growing influence worldwide.
- It opens doors for more Tamil films to gain international recognition.
- It proves that box office numbers don’t always define a movie’s success.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Kanguva is reaching new audiences globally.
What’s Next?
The next few days are critical for Kanguva’s Oscar journey:
- Academy members will vote from January 8 to January 12.
- On January 17, we’ll find out if Kanguva makes it to the final list of nominees.
- The winners will be announced at the Dolby Theatre on March 2 during the live Oscars ceremony.
The Competition:
Kanguva faces stiff competition from international entries like The Fabelmans and Oppenheimer. Among Indian films, Girls Will Be Girls and All We Imagine as Light have already received global acclaim.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Kanguva wins an Oscar, its inclusion in this prestigious list is already a victory for Tamil cinema. It shows that even films with mixed reviews can make an impact if they meet global standards in storytelling and production quality.
As we wait for the final nominations on January 17, fans of South Indian cinema can celebrate this milestone moment!
