Kaantha is a Tamil-language period drama thriller directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, released on 14 November 2025. Set in the smoky and ambitious world of 1950s Madras cinema, the film dives into ego clashes, creative rivalries, and how film and real life bleed into each other.
Produced by and starring Dulquer Salmaan along with Rana Daggubati, it mixes psychological drama, a clever film-within-a-film narrative, and a mystery with a whodunit flavour. With a runtime of about two and a half hours, it plays as a rich, stylish tribute to the golden age of Tamil cinema, loosely echoing figures such as M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and Balu Mahendra.
The plot revolves around the growing conflict between veteran director Ayya (Samuthirakani), a visionary filmmaker scarred by his past, and his former protégé T.K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan), now a superstar crowned as “Nata Chakravarthy”. The two come together again for Ayya’s dream project, a woman-led horror film titled Shaantha. Trouble begins when Mahadevan rechristens it Kaantha and starts seizing creative control.
Things get even messier with the arrival of first-time heroine Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), whose shifting loyalties deepen the divide. Midway through, a shootout on set goes horribly wrong, triggering a police investigation led by the mysterious Inspector Phoenix (Rana Daggubati). From there, the film moves into a tense story of betrayal, the costs of stardom, and long-buried secrets.
Kaantha Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
The first half pulls you into the period with care: grainy black-and-white visuals, elaborate studio sets, and hungry dreamers chasing stardom. It plays as a slow-burning character drama about wounded pride and quiet affection, with the movie-within-the-movie adding extra layers for film lovers. After the interval, the film shifts into thriller mode and focuses on the fallout of the on-set tragedy. The build-up holds attention, but the later portions stretch things out, and some of the twists feel easy to guess.
Performances
- Dulquer Salmaan as T.K. Mahadevan: This is one of Dulquer’s standout performances. He captures the swagger and fragility of a 1950s matinee idol with real ease. Mirror rehearsals, old-school dance moves, and a powerful emotional breakdown near the end all stay with you. Many reviewers have called it an acting showcase, as he balances stage-style drama with modern subtlety.
- Samuthirakani as Ayya: Samuthirakani provides much of the film’s emotional pull. His Ayya is a guide turned competitor, carrying hurt, pride, and flashes of brilliance. He avoids turning the character into a stereotype and instead plays him as a flawed but deeply human artist.
- Bhagyashri Borse as Kumari: A confident debut. She gives Kumari a steady presence and lets you feel the conflict between admiration for her mentor figures and her own desire for independence. She softens the harsher male egos and leaves a mark in the more intense scenes.
- Rana Daggubati as Inspector Phoenix: Rana is the wildcard here. He brings an easy, sometimes quirky charm to Phoenix and adds humour at key moments. Some viewers may find his style slightly at odds with the period setting, yet his presence keeps the investigation track from feeling too heavy.
The supporting actors, including Gayathrie Shankar in a crucial part, lend the film credibility and help the world feel lived-in.
Technical Brilliance
Cinematographer Dani Sánchez López gives Kaantha a striking visual identity. Present-day scenes are rich and colourful, while the flashbacks rely on crisp black-and-white frames. The movie-within-the-movie uses its own aspect ratio, which adds a nice touch for cinema fans. The production design is packed with detail: vintage cars, smoky studios, worn-out equipment, and carefully chosen costumes that make you feel you have stepped into pre-Independence Madras.
The background score by Jakes Bejoy and Jhanu Chanthar is moody and atmospheric, lifting several tense moments. The songs, however, do not leave much of an impact. Editing by Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez is where the film slips, especially in the second half, where scenes linger longer than needed and momentum dips. Sound design and colour grading further sell the period vibe and keep the film visually engaging even when the pace slackens.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Rich, immersive portrayal of 1950s Madras cinema and life on and off set
- Strong performances, led by Dulquer and Samuthirakani, that ground the story in emotion
- Gorgeous visuals and thoughtful staging that reward patient, attentive viewers
Weaknesses:
- Post-interval pacing loses steam; the move into investigative drama feels stretched and less sharp.
- Thriller beats often feel familiar, and the mix of genres is not always smooth.h
- The lengthy duration, combined with the slow pace, can tire viewers looking for a fast, punchy narrative.
Kaantha Overall Verdict
Kaantha shines as a heartfelt ode to cinema and its fragile, ego-driven artists; it is ambitious, layered, and at times brilliant, but it stops just short of greatness. It suits viewers who enjoy character-heavy dramas more than those chasing constant thrills or twists. Dulquer’s towering performance and the lovingly recreated 1950s setting make it a strong big-screen experience. It stands as one of 2025’s more daring mainstream films, even if the final stretch wobbles.
Ratings Roundup
| Source | Rating | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| IMDb | 8.6/10 | “Stunning script, visuals, and powerful acting… Must-watch of 2025!” |
| The Hindu | 3.5/5 | “Sincere and compelling in parts… Balances flaws with brilliance.” |
| India Today | 3/5 | “Soars with performances, plummets in investigation mode.” |
| Hindustan Times | 3/5 | “Uneven but outshone by Dulquer’s bruised egos and affairs.” |
| 123Telugu | 2.75/5 | “Engaging setup, but falters with pacing and predictability.” |
| Cinema Express | 3/5 | “Superlative performances forgive fair share of flaws.” |
| X (Audience Avg) | ~3.25/5 | “Dulquer insane… Almost a masterpiece, but pacing drops.” |
If you enjoy films like Iruvar or Mahanati, Kaantha deserves a watch in theatres. The streaming release is yet to be confirmed, and the retro charm feels best on the big screen.