Composed by Epuri Siva Prasad
Kaantha is a Malayalam film starring Dulquer Salman. It's directed by Slevamani Selvaraj and it has gained attention for its unique story line and engaging narrative. The movie, however, is still a bit under the radar, and there’s not as much widespread buzz around it compared to some of Dulquer's other works, like Kurup or Lucky Bhaskar.
- Rating - 2.5/5
- Star cast - P. Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, Rana Daggubati and others
- Director - Slevamani Selvaraj
The film is said to blend elements of drama and thriller with a bit of mystery. Dulquer's performance is always a highlight, and he’s been quite selective with his roles recently, which has made fans even more excited to see what he brings to the screen in each project.
Story:
In the 1950s, Kaantha tells the story of Ayya (Samuthirakani), a talented film director, and T.K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan), an ordinary man he transforms into a superstar known as Nata Chakravarthy. Years later, their relationship falls apart, but they reunite for Ayya’s dream project, Shaantha. During the shoot, Mahadevan’s growing ego takes over, and he changes the title of the film to Kaantha while taking control of the direction. The debut heroine, Raja Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), listens only to Ayya, which creates tension on set. As conflicts escalate, a murder happens during the final shoot. Who was killed? Who is responsible? Did the actor or the director have a hand in it? And what role does Phoenix (Rana Daggubati) play in the mystery? These are the questions that drive the story forward.
Review:
Overall, Kaantha is a somewhat functional crime investigation drama. The performances from Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, and Samuthirakani are solid, while Rana Daggubati provides a few moments of welcome relief. Unfortunately, the film is held back by lackluster writing, a sluggish second half, repetitive scenes, and pacing that feels drawn out. If you’re watching for the performances, the film has some merit. However, if you're expecting a tight screenplay, well-developed characters, or sustained engagement, the experience might fall short. It’s a fairly acceptable watch as long as you keep your expectations in check
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