Kaantha (2025)

Kaantha is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language period drama thriller that mixes biographical touches with elements of drama and horror. Directed by first-time filmmaker Selvamani Selvaraj, the film brings together major South Indian stars and has been talked about as a bold, large-scale project with impressive period detailing and strong acting. Kaantha is released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada. At the box office, it opened alongside the Hindi film De De Pyaar De 2.

Plot Summary

Set in 1950s Madras (present-day Chennai), Kaantha is widely believed to be a fictionalised take on a lesser-known phase in the life of Tamil cinema icon M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, often called the first superstar of Tamil films. The plot centres on ego clashes, a tense mentor-disciple relationship, and a story that shifts genres as it moves from heavy drama into an investigative thriller with shades of horror.

Key moments include a powerful face-off between teacher and student, a standout mirror scene, and a climactic stretch that brings in tap dance elements. The film invests heavily in its retro setting, and many viewers praise the immersive period world. Some reviewers, however, feel that the pace drops once the narrative moves into the investigative track in the second half.

Kaantha Cast and Crew

• Director: Selvamani Selvaraj, making his feature film debut
• Main Cast:
  • Dulquer Salmaan as T.K. Mahadevan, the disciple figure, earning strong praise, especially for emotional scenes like the mirror sequence and the climax
  • Samuthirakani, as Ayya, the mentor, is  often singled out as the standout performance in the film
  • Bhagyashri Borse as Kumari, delivering a steady and effective supporting turn
  • Rana Daggubati as Phoenix, receiving mixed feedback, with some viewers feeling he does not quite fit the period setting
• Music: Jhanu Chanthar, with singles such as “Panimalare” / “Pasi Manase” and “Kanmani Nee” / “Ammadive” released ahead of the film
• Cinematography: Dani Sanchez-Lopez
• Editing: Adarsh Ravu
• Production: Backed by Dulquer Salmaan, Rana Daggubati, Prashanth Potluri, and Jom Varghese under the banners Wayfarer Films and Spirit Media. Dharma Productions handled the North India theatrical release.

The film runs for around 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Release and Reception

The makers first planned to release Kaantha on 12 September 2025, but pushed the date to avoid a clash with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. The trailer arrived on 7 November 2025 and drew attention for its stylish retro look and tense tone.

Early reactions are largely positive, and the film holds an IMDb score of 8.6/10 as of 17 November 2025. Reviewers and audiences highlight the performances of Dulquer and Samuthirakani, the technical quality, the music, and the gripping drama in the first half. On the flip side, some point to a slower second half and feel that Rana Daggubati is not the best fit for his role. Sample comments include:

• “A quality cinematic experience… sincere and ambitious.” (Overall positive)
• “Interesting first half, but second half tests patience.” (Mixed; 2.5/5 from India Today)

At the box office, Kaantha has opened strongly, helped by good word of mouth and repeat viewings. For ongoing updates on collections and audience responses, viewers often check platforms like BookMyShow or follow discussions on Reddit’s r/tollywood.

Overall Verdict Kaantha glitters as a sincere love letter to cinema’s bruised hearts—ambitious, nuanced, and occasionally brilliant—but it doesn’t quite forge gold. It’s a film for those who savor dense, character-driven dramas over pulse-pounding thrills. Dulquer’s powerhouse performance and the evocative 1950s vibe make it worth the ticket, especially on the big screen. One of 2025’s bold swings, even if it stumbles on the landing.

Trending:

Santhana Prapthirasthu 2025