Movie: Kaantha
Rating: 2/5
Banner: Spirit Media, Wayfarer Films
Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, Rana Daggubati, Samuthirakani, and others
Music: Jhanu Chanthar
DOP: Dani Sanchez Lopez
Art: Ramalingam
Editor: Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez
Produced by: Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese
Written and Directed by: Selvamani Selvaraj
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Dulquer Salmaan has already carved a special place for himself in Telugu cinema with performances in films like “Mahanati” and “Lucky Bhaskar.” His collaboration with Rana Daggubati for “Kaantha” has naturally generated strong buzz among audiences. Known for his sharp script choices and distinctive roles, Dulquer has built a reputation for balancing content and commercial appeal.
Let’s see whether this is another impressive addition to his filmography.
Story:
Set in the 1950s and 60s, the story unfolds in Modern Studios, Madras. Director Ayya (Samuthirakani) decides to revive Shantha, a film he once began as a tribute to his mother but had to shelve midway. This time, popular star TK Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan) agrees to act in the lead role.
Although Mahadevan harbors resentment toward his former guru Ayya, he agrees to act in the film to prove that he now holds complete power on the set and that his word matters more than the director’s.
The trouble begins when the new actress Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), another discovery of Ayya, refuses to obey the superstar’s commands and instead remains loyal to the director.
Despite this, Mahadevan is drawn to her and eventually falls in love. Kumari reciprocates his feelings, and when he learns that she is pregnant with his child, Mahadevan agrees to marry her in Tirupati.
However, things take a shocking turn. Police officer Phoenix (Rana Daggubati) takes charge of the case of the incident happened on the set.
Artistes’ Performances:
Dulquer Salmaan delivers a terrific performance as a movie star consumed by ego and torn between love and responsibility. He captures both the arrogance of a superstar and the vulnerability of a conflicted man with remarkable ease. His styling, demeanor, and body language perfectly suit the character.
Dulquer particularly shines in a few standout sequences where he performs both within the film’s story and outside it, those “film within a film” moments are among the highlights. Having earlier portrayed a yesteryear superstar in “Mahanati,” Dulquer once again proves his versatility and command over complex characters.
Samuthirakani provides the ideal counterbalance to Dulquer’s intensity.
Bhagyashri Borse delivers a convincing performance, while Rana Daggubati, as the investigating officer, brings a modern edge to the period setting. Although his presence adds some intrigue, his character feels somewhat out of place in this milieu.
Ravindra Vijay as the film’s producer fits the part well. Nizhalgal Ravi as Dulquer’s father-in-law and the actress who plays Dulquer’s wife are also convincing in their respective roles.
Technical Excellence:
Recreating the 1950s and ’60s on screen requires authenticity, and the film largely succeeds in capturing that bygone era.
The production design by Ramalingam is detailed and convincing, while cinematographer Dani Sanchez Lopez (of Mahanati fame) adds visual richness that enhances the period mood.
The costumes and makeup artists deserve appreciation as well.
However, the film falters on the musical front. Neither the background score nor the songs leave a lasting impression, and the music at times dulls the emotional impact.
The editing also lacks sharpness, as the second half feels noticeably sluggish. Additionally, the Telugu dialogues sound uneven in places.
Highlights:
Dulquer Salmaan’s terrific performance
Certain novelty factor in the story
Production Design
Drawback:
Lag in the second half
The prolonged and loud investigation episodes
The boring music
Analysis
The story of “Kaantha” stands apart for its unusual mix of genres. It is set in a bygone era, yet it is neither a biopic like “Mahanati,” nor a full-fledged murder mystery, nor entirely a tribute to the film industry. Instead, it combines all these elements, resulting in a distinctive yet uneven experience.
The first half works well, driven by solid writing and a well-timed interval twist. However, the second half, which turns into a whodunit-style investigation, loses momentum.
What keeps the film engaging is its intriguing premise and the layered screenplay that unfolds gradually. At first, it appears to be a tale of ego clashes between a superstar and his former mentor. Later, it evolves into a love story between a married actor and a new actress, reminiscent of the dynamic between Dulquer Salmaan and Keerthy Suresh in “Mahanati.”
As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the three main characters, Dulquer, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri, are all hiding secrets and pursuing their own agendas. These threads add mystery and depth, making the first half quite compelling.
The momentum dips after the interval. Rana Daggubati’s entry as the investigating officer brings some energy initially, but his modern tone and interrogation style feel inconsistent with the 1950s setting. The investigation stretches for nearly 45 minutes, making this portion feel disconnected and overly long. Fortunately, the film regains its emotional footing toward the end and concludes on a believable note.
Despite its flaws, Kaantha deserves credit for attempting something different. The plot is refreshing, and Dulquer Salmaan’s commanding performance anchors the film throughout. However, the overstretched narrative, lack of crisp editing, and prolonged investigation weaken its impact.
The director ends the film with a note acknowledging that he drew inspiration from filmmakers like Balu Mahendra and Wong Kar-wai. Interestingly, certain portions of the movie also seem to echo the real-life relationship between Balu Mahendra and actress Shoba, who tragically died by suicide.
Overall, Kaantha is a distinctive attempt in terms of story and is backed by a strong performance from Dulquer Salmaan. However, the overstretched narration, lack of sharp editing, and the prolonged investigative segment take away much of the film’s impact. Despite these shortcomings, it is not a routine or formulaic film; it makes an honest effort to offer a fresh experience within the period-drama and film-within-a-film genres. But ultimately, it fails to deliver the experience that is anticipated. It feels heavy to watch and never truly hits the heart.
Bottom-line: Artful but not Heartful
