Rating: 2/5 Following the success of Lucky Bhasker, Dulquer Salmaan returns in Kaantha, a Tamil-Telugu period drama that also marks the return of Rana Daggubati as both actor and producer. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the film features Bhagyashri Borse in a significant role. As the film premieres in theaters, its box-office performance is yet to be seen. The story centers on the escalating ego conflict between legendary filmmaker Ayya (Samuthirakani) and his protégé, star actor TK Mahendran (Dulquer Salmaan). When Mahendran changes the climax and title of Ayya’s women-focused film Shaantha, tensions arise, putting debutante heroine Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse) in a position of emotional conflict between admiration and affection.
The dispute intensifies on set, culminating in a shocking incident where a real bullet is fired. The mystery surrounding this event, along with its motives and repercussions, propels the narrative into a murder investigation. In terms of performances, Dulquer Salmaan shines, particularly during the climax. Bhagyashri Borse impresses with her emotional range, making a strong impression in this pivotal role early in her career. Samuthirakani fits perfectly as Ayya, while Rana Daggubati adds charm to his quirky character, although the writing of his role lacks depth. Technically, director Selvamani Selvaraj initiated the film with promising thematic elements but ultimately struggled to deliver them effectively. Dani Sanchez Lopez’s cinematography serves as the visual backbone, skillfully combining color palettes and aspect ratios.
The editing by Llewellyn Anthony and Gonsalvez is somewhat engaging but tends to drag during the investigation scenes. While the production values are commendable, the music fails to resonate emotionally. James Bejoy’s background score is effective, but the screenplay suffers from a slow pace. Overall, Kaantha begins as an interesting exploration of creativity and ego but transitions into a murder mystery that lacks a strong drive. Although the first half is compelling, the second half falters with its sluggish investigation and weak emotional engagement. Despite remarkable performances and technical excellence, Kaantha ultimately presents as an average film hampered by inconsistent narration.
Overall, with impressive acting and promising thematic depth, Kaantha aspires to offer an emotionally rich cinematic experience but struggles with pacing in its latter half.