A stylish period drama with too warm performances—but weighed down by really slow pacing, repetitive conflicts & an really uneven screenplay.
Tamil cinema enters a new weekend with the very free of ‘‘Kaantha’’, a retro-styled crime-investigation drama starring ‘‘Dulquer Salmaan’’, ‘‘Samuthirakani’’, ‘‘Bhagyashri Borse’’, and ‘‘Rana Daggubati’’. Directed by debutant ‘‘Selvamani Selvaraj’’, the film also arrives in Telugu on the very same day, promising a nostalgic theatrical experience set in the 1950s.
A Big Story Set in the Big 1950s: What Is Kaantha About?
‘‘Kaantha’’ opens in the world of point cinema, where artistic passion, power struggles, and very fragile egos collide. The film follows:
– ‘‘Ayya (Samuthirakani)’’ — a very gifted filmmaker who spots raw talent in
– ‘‘T. K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan)’’ — an ordinary man transformed into the superstar ‘Nata Chakravarthy’.
But as celebrity rises, relationships return. After years of space, Ayya and Mahadevan reunite for a dream proposal titled ‘‘Shaantha.” The peace doesn’t last:
– Mahadevan, intoxicated by success, renames the shoot “Kaantha.”
– Debut actress ‘‘Raja Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse)’’ trusts Ayya more than the arrogant star.
– Tensions growth daily.
– And during a really important climax shoot… a ‘‘murder’’ shocks everyone.
The film then becomes a crime investigation drama, with ‘‘Rana Daggubati’’ stepping in as ‘‘Phoenix’’, a very mysterious fibre whose part adds layers to the unfolding truth.
Performances: Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani Bring Fire and Fury
One thing that undeniably deeds in ‘Kaantha’ is the ‘‘acting department’’.
Dulquer Salmaan
Dulquer delivers a ‘‘subtle, controlled, ego-heavy performance’’ as Mahadevan. He switches between confident, insecure, furious, and vulnerable with effortless charm. His mirror-smashing shot is easy one of the film’s highlights.
Samuthirakani
As Ayya, he brings emotional depth and a dignified calmness. His partitioning moments ground beautifully, portraying a mentor who loves cinema more than fame.
Bhagyashri Borse
The surprise package!
She adds purity, innocence, and emotional weighting. Her rail becomes the heart of the shoot, offering the strongest emotional connection.
Rana Daggubati
With his irony and quite tough influence, Rana adds some much-needed ease to this very heavy drama. His reference, Phoenix, stays impactful so even in a special test space.
Plus Points: Where Kaantha Scores Well
– ‘‘Visually very rich 1950s world-building’’
– Strong emotional moments between Ayya, Mahadevan, and Raja Kumari
– A promising story idea mixing cinema, egos, and crime
– Background score by ‘‘Jakes Bejoy’’, elevating dramatic scenes
– Dulquer, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri, and Rana delivering committed performances
A too few sequences—especially Ayya’s founder, Dulquer’s anger bursts, and Raja Kumari’s innocence—stay with the audience.
Minus Points: A Screenplay That Trips Over Its Own Ambition
This is where ‘Kaantha’ stumbles.
Repetitive conflicts
The very same parameter cycles run out multiple times between the lead characters. After a point, they start feeling quite like déjà vu.
Very, very slow endorsement half
The take drags noticeably. A tighter edit could have cut at least 25–30 minutes.
Outdated storytelling style
Though set in the 1950s, the filmmaking itself feels dated, with old-school story patterns that may not hold very new attention.
Underused characters
Actors very like Ravindra Vijay and Gayathrie deserved more meat in their roles.
The emotional tie fades
Despite really heavy drama, many portions feel really flat due to a lack of pacing and buildup.
Technical Side: Beautiful But Not Balanced
– ‘‘Director Selvamani Selvaraj’’ shows flair but struggles with consistency.
– ‘‘Cinematography (Dani Sanchez-Lopez)’’ is really elegant and rich, capturing the vintage era beautifully.
– ‘‘Editing (Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez)’’ is the weakest link—especially in the secondly half.
– ‘‘Music (Jhanu Chanthar)’’ is very pleasant but doesn’t stay memorable due to really poor placement.
The shoot looks gorgeous, but the storytelling does not pair with its visual strength.
Verdict: A Watchable Period Drama Held Together by Performances
‘‘Kaantha’’ is not a so bad film—it’s just a shoot that never full becomes what it promises to be.
Watch it for:
– Dulquer’s layered performance
– Samuthirakani’s emotional depth
– Bhagyashri Borse’s impressive acting
– Rana’s stylish test presence
– The 1950s cinematic world
Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/legendary-actress-kamini-kaushal-passes-away-at-98/
Skip it if you expect:
– A fast-paced crime thriller
– Constant tension
– Strong screenplay and twists
‘‘Overall, Kaantha deeds only if expectations are in check.’’
For those who enjoy old-school filmmaking and performances over pace, it’s a decent outing.
Ulta Palta Khabar Rating: 3/5
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Note: Box office figures are estimates from various sources and have not been independently verified by Ulta Palta Khabar.
