Dulquer Salmaan’s film Kaantha announced by Rana in 2019, finally released in 2025 after long production delays. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the movie’s retro-style promos grabbed attention. Made in Tamil and dubbed into Telugu, this period drama now arrives for the audience to watch and enjoy.
Kaantha Movie Story: In a time when films are becoming more commercial, star hero T.K. Mahadevan (Dulquer) develops ego clashes with Ayya (Samuthirakani), the man who helped him rise. Their conflict peaks during the shooting of the film “Shantha”. Caught between them, Kumari (Bhagyashri) drives the story from a fresh angle. “Kaantha” shows how their egos grow and what they lose.
Performances: Dulquer Salmaan is truly a once-in-a-generation actor. The mirror shot seen in the trailer was done in a single take, showing his impressive talent and sincerity. Samuthirakani’s role proves how underrated he has been, especially with the way he expresses controlled anger.
Bhagyashri looks good in a retro style but doesn’t fully deliver in emotional scenes. Rana, with his sharp dialogue delivery and body language, adds strong support. Ravindra Vijay also stands out, and the rest of the cast perform well.
Technical Aspects: Dani Sanchez Lopez’s camera work is outstanding, every frame looks like a painting. The lighting and colors are excellent, and such high-quality visuals are rarely seen these days. The art and production teams also deserve praise for perfectly recreating the 1970s studio culture.
However, the CGI needed more care, as the green/blue matte shots are noticeable. Jakes Bejoy’s background score beautifully lifts the emotions, and Jhanu Chanthar’s songs are pleasant and support the story. Director Selvamani and writer Tamizh Prabha have designed “Kaantha” very well, with all elements of a classic. Though the pacing, especially in the second half, could have been better, the climax and Dulquer’s performance are very satisfying.
Analysis: The 70s studio atmosphere, the dark human side shown by Selvamani, Dulquer’s strong performance, and Danny’s stunning visuals create a unique experience. But heavy Tamil dialogues and weak dubbing make the Telugu version less clear, causing disappointment.
Verdict: “Kaantha” is a visually rich and emotionally strong film with standout performances from Dulquer and Samuthirakani. The 70s studio world and unique storytelling give it a special feel.
Bottom Line: A bold visual experience.
Rating: 3/5
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