Release Date: November 14, 2025
Director: Selvamani Selvaraj
Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, Samuthirakani, Rana Daggubati
Genre: Period Drama Thriller
Runtime: 2h 35m
Language: Tamil (with Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada dubs)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)

In the smoky, sweat-stained studios of 1950s Madras—where every spotlight hides a secret and every reel spins with ambition—Kaantha unspools as a hypnotic tribute to the golden age of Tamil cinema. Debutant director Selvamani Selvaraj aims high with this lavish period drama, stitching together themes of ego, betrayal, and artistic obsession. And with Dulquer Salmaan delivering one of his strongest performances yet, the film often soars… but never quite transcends its uneven structure.

A film about making films, Kaantha blends nostalgia with noir, glamour with grit. It’s enthralling in its rise—but stumbles in its fall.

The Story: Where the Real Drama Lies Behind the Camera

Set just after Independence, the film follows the tense ecosystem at Modern Studios, where veteran filmmaker Gothanda Raman—Ayya (Samuthirakani)—is attempting to resurrect his long-delayed dream project Shaantha, Tamil cinema’s first-ever ghost movie.

But the storm arrives with the entry of T.K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan), the beloved “Nata Chakravarthy” whom Ayya groomed from obscurity into superstardom. Ten years later, Mahadevan returns to the set with swagger, renaming the film Kaantha, rewriting scenes, and repositioning himself as the unquestioned centerpiece.

This ego clash becomes a pressure cooker.
Caught between them is debutante heroine Raja Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), whose loyalty to Ayya threatens Mahadevan’s fragile pride.

But the simmering tensions erupt during the filming of a key climax sequence involving a prop gun—when a real bullet fires, killing a crew member and plunging the studio into chaos.

Inspector Phoenix (Rana Daggubati) arrives to investigate, peeling back layers of ambition, resentment, and buried guilt.

Selvaraj’s first half is exceptional—tight, atmospheric, dripping with old-world charm and psychological tension. But the second half leans heavily into procedural tropes, with repetitive interrogations and predictable twists, softening the impact of what could have been a fiery masterpiece.

Still, Kaantha holds up a mirror to cinema itself: beautiful, dangerous, seductive—and cruel.

Performances: Dulquer Electrifies, the Ensemble Elevates

Dulquer Salmaan – A Career Peak

As Mahadevan, Dulquer is magnetic, morphing seamlessly into a 1950s matinee idol. His blend of vanity, vulnerability, and slow-burning fury is award-worthy.
Highlights include:

• the haunting mirror monologue
• the tap-dance flourish
• the single-take climax shot

This is a performance that commands a National Award conversation.

Samuthirakani – Dignified and Devastating

As Ayya, he exudes quiet pain and bruised pride, portraying a mentor overshadowed by his own creation. His controlled intensity anchors the film.

Bhagyashri Borse – A Breakout Turn

Her expressive innocence hides steel, making her an emotional compass amid the chaos. A genuine comeback.

Rana Daggubati – Charismatic but Slightly Out-of-Tune

He brings theatrical flair and comic timing, though his energy sometimes feels too modern for the era.

The supporting cast captures the messy ecosystem of a 1950s studio—gossip, jealousy, desperation, and hidden alliances.

Technical Brilliance: Where Kaantha Truly Dazzles

This is where the film becomes pure cinema.

Cinematography

Dani Sanchez-Lopez paints the frame with:

• lush golden-hour glows
• noir-inspired shadows
• lived-in studio textures

Every frame looks like a magazine cover.

Art Direction & Costumes

Ramalingam’s set design and the period styling resurrect old Madras with startling authenticity.

Music & Editing

Jhanu Chanthar’s background score heightens tension, though the songs don’t leave a mark.
Editing is sharp in the first half but overstretched in the second.

Direction

Selvaraj’s debut is bold—stylistically rich, emotionally layered—but imperfect. His love for cinema shines even when the writing wavers.

Final Verdict: Ambitious, Uneven, Yet Addictively Cinematic

Kaantha is a gorgeous, gutsy film that gleams with passion and grandeur.
It’s elevated by powerhouse performances—especially Dulquer—and technical craftsmanship that deserves the big screen.

But its structural imbalance and predictable thrills prevent it from becoming a classic.

Still, in a year filled with generic crowd-pleasers, Kaantha stands tall as a daring, immersive gamble that respects its audience.

NRIGlobe Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Watch If: You love period dramas, meta-cinema, and powerhouse acting.
Skip If: You want a fast-paced thriller.

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