Kaantha Movie Review: A Strong Performance Held Back by an Uneven Narrative
Sarkar Rating: 2.5/5 Release Date : Nov 14, 2025
Cast
Dulquer Salmaan, P. Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, Rana Daggubati and others
Crew
Director : Selvamani Selvaraj
Producers : Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy, Jhanu Chanthar
Cinematographer : Dani Sanchez-Lopez
Editor : Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez
Story
Kaantha follows Mahadeva (Dulquer Salmaan), a popular movie star whose escalating conflict with director Ayya (Samuthirakani) shapes the film’s central drama. His bond with Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse) further complicates things, and the story takes an unexpected turn when Rana Daggubati enters the narrative as a police officer investigating a crucial twist that threatens Mahadeva’s future.
Performances
Dulquer Salmaan
Dulquer is unquestionably the film’s backbone. His portrayal of Mahadeva is intense, layered, and committed. Even if the film doesn’t achieve widespread acclaim or major commercial success, his performance will be remembered as one of its biggest strengths.
Bhagyashri Borse
A truly pleasant surprise. Bhagyashri delivers a composed, impactful performance that elevates her scenes. This film is likely to open many doors for her.
Rana Daggubati
As the investigative cop, Rana performs convincingly. His role is solid, though the writing restricts him from leaving a stronger impact.
Samuthirakani
Samuthirakani shines in a pivotal role. His look, mannerisms, and grounded performance add depth to the film. Once the dubbing settles, his character becomes one of the standout elements.
The rest of the cast, though relatively unfamiliar, fits perfectly into the period setup and adds authenticity.
Analysis
Writer-director Selvamani Selvaraj attempts an ambitious blend of a period setting with a “film within a film” framework. While not an entirely new idea, Kaantha benefits greatly from its visual richness and atmospheric world-building.
The initial portions revolve around the ego clash between Mahadeva and Ayya, blended with the heroine’s track. The performances and visuals hold attention, but the excessive use of black-and-white “reel within the reel” sequences becomes a major drawback. These segments feel repetitive and more like showreel material than storytelling essentials.
However, the pre-interval segment is gripping, injecting much-needed momentum and raising expectations for a strong second half.
Rana’s entry completely shifts the film’s tone—from drama to investigative thriller. Though this contrast could have been a strength, the slow pacing and stretched scenes weaken the impact. The suspense holds, but the emotional payoff is muted due to uneven writing and a lack of gripping investigative depth.
Kaantha boasts excellent performances and stunning visuals but struggles with a sluggish pace and an inconsistent narrative structure. It’s a film that appeals to those who enjoy slow-burn storytelling, but not one that will satisfy every viewer.
Music & Technical Aspects
Music – Jhanu Chanthar
Songs are passable, while the background score aligns with the documentary-style tone. Though some may find it understated, it suits the film’s mood.
Cinematography – Dani Sanchez Lopez
A major highlight. The visuals are atmospheric, textured, and consistently impressive.
Editing – Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez
The film could have benefitted from tighter editing, especially in the second half where the runtime feels stretched.
Production Values
Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films deliver high-quality production, successfully recreating the period backdrop with meticulous detail.
Verdict
A visually striking film powered by Dulquer Salmaan’s stellar performance, but held back by slow pacing and an uneven narrative. Watch it if you appreciate artistic filmmaking and slow-burn drama—otherwise, adjust expectations.
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