Kaantha First Review: Dulquer Salmaan's Performance In The Period Drama Praised As ‘Fulfilling' And ‘Intense'

Kaantha First Review: The Tamil period drama Kaantha, directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, is gearing up for its worldwide theatrical release on November 14, 2025. Starring Dulquer Salmaan, Rana Daggubati, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse in key roles, the film is jointly backed by Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films, the production houses of Daggubati and Dulquer, respectively.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s Madras, Kaantha explores the turbulent relationship between a celebrated Tamil filmmaker, Ayya, and a film star he mentored to fame, T.K. Mahadevan. The narrative unfolds when Mahadevan interferes in Ayya's movie, reshaping it to match his stardom, a decision that triggers a clash of egos and creative control.

Samuthirakani Shares His First Reaction

At the trailer launch event, actor Samuthirakani, who also plays a pivotal role in the film, revealed that he had already watched Kaantha. He described Dulquer Salmaan's performance as "fulfilling" and "intense."

"I watched the film today, and it was a great experience," Samuthirakani said during the event. "When I saw Dulquer perform, I felt like hugging him; his performance was that good. During the shoot, I would often watch him closely before my own takes. I enjoyed observing his performance up close; only after taking it in would I act. Seeing his expressions, the Navarasas, was a pleasure. With his talent, hard work, and the love he shows to others, he will reach even greater heights."

Legal Petition Filed Against Kaantha

While excitement builds around the release, the film has also drawn legal attention. The Madras High Court recently issued notices to Dulquer Salmaan and the makers of Kaantha following a petition filed by the family of M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the legendary Tamil actor-singer.

The petition alleges that Kaantha portrays Bhagavathar in a defamatory manner and seeks to halt its release, claiming that the filmmakers neither informed the family nor sought their consent regarding the film's content. The matter is expected to be heard again on November 18.

Dulquer Salmaan had earlier reportedly clarified in an interview that Kaantha is not a biopic but rather a fictional crime drama loosely inspired by elements of Bhagavathar's era and persona.

Production and Technical Details

Kaantha carries a U/A certificate and runs for approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. The film features cinematography by Dani Sanchez Lopez, editing by Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez, and music composed by Jhanu Chanthar. Art direction is handled by Ramalingam, with costumes designed by Poojita Tadikonda, Archana Rao, and Harmann Kaur.

Advance bookings are now open across Tamil Nadu, the Telugu states, Kerala, the rest of India, and overseas markets, reflecting the strong anticipation surrounding the film.