It was an open secret that Karthi, the popular Tamil star and younger brother of Suriya, would make a cameo in his elder sibling's recent film, Kanguva. Fans even claimed to have spotted Karthi in the trailer, and, as it turns out, they were right. Karthi does make an appearance in Kanguva, but the context of his cameo might surprise many and may also evoke a sense of 'Rolex' déjà vu for others. ‘Kanguva’ Trailer: Amidst Suriya-Bobby Deol’s Tribal Wars, Fans Believe They Spotted Karthi! (Watch Video).

Directed by Siva, known for action-packed entertainers like Vedalam, Viswasam, Vivegam, and Annatthe, Kanguva is a high-budget action film spanning two timelines. One storyline follows a modern-day bounty hunter embroiled in conflicts involving a cartel experimenting on children and a young boy who escapes from captivity. The other is set in 1070 AD and focuses on Kanguva, a powerful warrior tasked with defending his tribe from external threats, including a murderous rival tribe led by the barbaric Udhiran. Suriya portrays both Francis, the bounty hunter, and Kanguva, while Bobby Deol plays Udhiran.

So, what role does Karthi play in the movie? His cameo is pivotal to Kanguva's ambitious future plans, serving to set up the sequel while addressing a key question left unanswered in the first film. Be warned: MAJOR SPOILERS for Kanguva follow.

Rathaangasan

Karthi appears at the end of the movie after Kanguva defeats and kills Udhiran, albeit at the cost of Poruva’s life (leading to Kanguva's eternal vow to protect the child in their future lives, explaining the modern-day storyline). With Udhiran’s sons already slain by Kanguva and his tribe, the mourning tribe members worry about who will light Udhiran’s pyre. When an elder suggests a tribe member for the task, he is reminded of Rathaangasan, Udhiran's illegitimate son born to a concubine. ‘Kanguva’ Movie Review: Save Your Ear-Drums When Watching Suriya’s Ambitious but Patience-Testing Period Saga.

Enter Rathaangasan, portrayed by Karthi, who arrives at the funeral with his own army. His appearance is wild and menacing, complete with matted hair and contact lenses. Rathaangasan quickly proves himself more dangerous and depraved than his father, killing an elder who insults his birth and making unsettling advances on his brothers' widows. It is established that he is going to lead his father's orphaned tribe on his own terms but he also declares that he won’t sit on his father’s throne until he spills Kanguva’s blood.

Watch 'Kanguva' Glimpse Which Teases Karthi's Cameo:

So, there you have it. Just as fans may one day see Suriya’s Rolex face off against Karthi’s Dilli in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, the real-life siblings are set to clash in Kanguva 2, but this time with Karthi playing the antagonist. ‘Kanguva’: Stills of Karthi’s Cameo From Suriya and Bobby Deol’s Fantasy Thriller Leaked Online.

But wait! There’s more...

It turns out that it's not just Suriya and the young boy who have double roles.

The Contractor

The mysterious, unseen leader of the cartel experimenting on children like Zeta is revealed to be a reincarnation of Rathaangasan. Known only as "the Contractor," his face is shown at the end, and he is, of course, played by Karthi, once again sporting an evil look and fake teeth. The sequel will explore what the Contractor is doing with the children and their brains and how both Francis and Kanguva will confront him in their respective timelines. Whether that sequel would ever be made remains to be seen, purely on the box office performance of Kanguva, which first has to recoup its might INR 300 crore budget.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 14, 2024 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).