Kaantha Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan Shines, but Weak Screenplay Holds Back This 1950s Drama
Kaantha delivers a visually rich 1950s period setting with a powerful performance by Dulquer Salmaan, but its slow pace and uneven screenplay limit the film’s emotional impact. Read the full review here.
Dulquer Salmaan in a striking still from Kaantha, capturing the essence of the film’s 1950s period drama aesthetic.
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, Rana Daggubati
Director: Selvamani Selvaraj
Rating: ⭐⭐¾ (2.75/5)
The highly expected Tamil movie Kaantha of Dulquer Salmaan—also released in Telugu—comes up with a brilliant cast and an interesting plot. First-time director Selvamani Selvaraj tells the story of ego conflicts, politics in filmmaking, and a murder mystery happening in the 1950s all at once. The movie, though acted well, has got a problem with uneven execution and a long narrative that is hard to follow.
Story Overview
The film follows Ayya (Samuthirakani), a gifted filmmaker who transforms ordinary man T. K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan) into the superstar “Nata Chakravarthy.” Years later, their strained relationship resurfaces when Ayya launches his dream project Shaantha.
Mahadevan, driven by ego, renames the film Kaantha and takes over direction, intensifying friction on set. Adding to the tension is the debut heroine Raja Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), who trusts only Ayya.
During the climax shoot, a shocking murder takes place. The film explores who was killed, why it happened, and how Rana Daggubati’s mysterious character Phoenix fits into the story.
Performances
Dulquer Salmaan delivers a composed, intense performance as Mahadevan.
Samuthirakani portrays Ayya with conviction and consistent emotional depth.
Bhagyashri Borse is the emotional heart of the film. Her innocence and expressive acting elevate several key scenes.
Rana Daggubati brings occasional relief with his sarcastic tone, though his character borders on overdone at times.
Standout moments include Dulquer’s mirror-smashing scene and Samuthirakani’s emotional breakdown.
Where the Film Falters
Despite a promising setup, Kaantha suffers from sluggish pacing and outdated storytelling.
The emotional intensity drops early.
Scenes feel repetitive and stretched.
The nearly 3-hour runtime magnifies its screenplay weaknesses.
Several supporting roles are underwritten, reducing their impact.
The second half loses steam, making viewers impatient for the climax rather than invested in the unfolding drama.
Technical Review
Direction: Selvamani Selvaraj assembles a strong cast but fails to maintain narrative grip.
Music: Jakes Bejoy’s background score adds occasional emotional weight.
Cinematography: Dani Sanchez-Lopez ensures clean, visually consistent frames.
Editing: Could have been significantly sharper to support the slow-burn narrative.
Songs: Jhanu Chanthar’s tracks are pleasant but don’t leave a lasting impression.
Final Verdict
Kaantha is an average crime-drama that has some excellent performances but suffers from the problems of slow pacing, repetition of scenes, and poor execution. The trio of Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse manage to hold the movie up, but the supporters who are looking for a fascinating story or a big emotional impact might feel disappointed.
