Kaantha Tamil Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan Shines in 1950s Drama of Ego, Love, and Mystery

Kaantha Tamil Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan Shines in 1950s Drama of Ego, Love, and Mystery

Kaantha, released on 14 November 2025, is a period drama that transports the audience to the 1950s. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and written by Tamizh Prabha, the film originally began as Ayya’s script titled Saantha. However, when actor T. K. Mahadevan became involved, the project changed direction and evolved into Kaantha. This creative shift marks the starting point of the story’s main conflict.

Ayya and T. K. Mahadevan have a long professional history of over 15 years. Ayya was the one who first gave Mahadevan an opportunity in cinema, and although they respect each other, an undercurrent of cold war exists between them. This tension intensifies when Mahadevan begins to influence the script beyond Ayya’s comfort level.

The film beautifully captures the 1950s through its visuals, dialogue delivery, and overall atmosphere. The narrative focuses on the clash between Ayya’s artistic vision and Mahadevan’s desire to shape the film according to his ideas. Even though Ayya is Mahadevan’s mentor, he grows frustrated as the actor keeps altering the screenplay and dialogues. This ego clash between the two men becomes the emotional core of the story.

Ayya casts Kumari as the heroine of the film, and she initially follows his instructions with sincerity. But as shooting progresses, Mahadevan gradually influences her, and the married actor begins to fall in love with her. The tension grows when Mahadevan’s father-in-law learns about the relationship, while his wife Devi continues to show unconditional love and trust toward him. These conflicts deepen the emotional complexity of the narrative.

As Mahadevan becomes more attached to Kumari, he decides to marry her, convinced that she is the true love of his life. However, the story takes a shocking turn when Kumari is suddenly shot by an unidentified person. This unexpected tragedy shifts the film into a suspense-driven drama, turning the mystery of Kumari’s death into the central focus of the remaining story.

The investigation is led by Inspector Devaraj, played with intensity by Rana Daggubati. Known by the name “Phoenix,” Devaraj approaches the case with aggression, confidence, and determination. His sequences add pace and tension, keeping the audience engaged as he uncovers hidden layers behind the murder and moves closer to the truth.

Performance-wise, the film is strengthened by a powerful cast. Dulquer Salmaan gives a compelling performance as T. K. Mahadevan, perfectly portraying a man torn between ambition, ego, love, and personal conflict. Samuthirakani brings dignity and depth to Ayya, capturing the frustration of a filmmaker whose creative control is challenged. Bhagyashri Borse is graceful and expressive as Kumari, while Rana Daggubati stands out with a commanding screen presence as the investigating officer. Supporting actors such as Ravindra Vijay, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Bagavathi Perumal add solid contributions to the film.

On the technical front, Kaantha impresses with sharp Tamil dialogues that fit the period setting. Hanu Chanthar’s music supports the emotional tone and enhances the 1950s mood effectively. The production houses Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films have delivered detailed visuals and authentic period elements, giving the film a rich and polished look.

With a running time of 163 minutes, Kaantha may feel long in parts, but the film maintains its grip through emotional drama, strong performances, and suspenseful investigative sequences. Director Selvamani Selvaraj and writer Tamizh Prabha have created a compelling mix of cinema politics, romance, ego clashes, and mystery. Overall, Kaantha is an engaging and well-crafted period drama that is worth watching for its storytelling and powerful performances.