Kaantha Review: Solid performances, strong aesthetics, but uneven

What’s it about?

TK Mahadev (Dulquer Salmaan), a top movie star known as ‘Nata Chakravarthy, agrees to revive Shaantha, a passion project of his mentor and director Ayya (Samuthirakani), despite their long-standing fallout. However, Mahadev sets his own conditions that the film should be made on his terms and the title changed to Kaantha.

A newcomer, Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), is cast as the female lead. During the shoot, Mahadev, who is already married, slowly falls in love with Kumari. Ayya, on the other hand, plans to control Mahadev through Kumari, as she is his devoted disciple who follows all his instructions.

As the emotional tension on set intensifies, a shocking incident occurs when someone is murdered during the shoot. Police officer Phoenix (Rana Daggubati) steps in to investigate the case and uncover the truth behind the web of manipulation and betrayal.

Analysis

Stories set against the backdrop of movies are not new. Many blockbusters like RGV’s “Rangeela” and “Mahanati” have explored the lives of movie stars. Kaantha, though also a film in a film, stands apart because a major portion of it falls into the whodunit genre as well.

The film clearly has two different halves, with the first focusing on the drama among the lead characters and the second delving deep into the key incident and its aftermath.

Set in a bygone era, in an unspecified time period, “Kaantha” opens with a charismatic superstar (Dulquer Salmaan), his mentor-director (Samuthirakani), and a new actress (Bhagyashri Borse), and the dynamics between them. How the superstar turns egoistic, how the director manipulates him, and how the newcomer gets caught between the two while also falling in love with the hero is convincingly narrated. The interval twist lands perfectly, leaving the viewer intrigued.

However, the momentum dips after the interval. The second half shifts into a whodunit-style investigation, with Rana Daggubati entering as a police officer. His presence initially brings some vigor, but the investigation, staged with modern sensibilities, feels out of place in this period setting. The stretch runs long and tests patience. At 163 minutes, the film feels lengthy. The understated ending does bring a sense of closure, but the contrast between the energetic first half and the introspective second half creates an imbalance.

Still, the film benefits from its ambition and its rich visual detail, especially the production design.

Coming to performances, Dulquer Salmaan once again dominates the show, showcasing his versatility. His portrayal of a superstar torn between ego and vulnerability is mesmerizing. He slips between arrogance and anguish with remarkable control, and his performance within the film inside the film is superb. There are many moments where he gets to exhibit his full range.

The biggest surprise is Bhagyashri Borse. She fits the role of the innocent, good-natured newcomer beautifully. She looks every bit the girl from an earlier era and performs with impressive sincerity.

Samuthirakani provides a solid counterpoint and his restrained intensity balances Dulquer’s flamboyance. Rana Daggubati lends a touch of modernity, although his character feels tonally distant from the rest.

As mentioned earlier, the film’s visual richness stands out. Production designer Ramalingam recreates retro textures, the studios, costumes and sets, with meticulous detail. Cinematographer Dani Sanchez Lopez, of Mahanati fame, captures them beautifully. The sepia tones, lighting and soft focus evoke a tactile sense of nostalgia.

However, the music falters. The background score lacks emotional depth and the songs feel uninspired. The editing, especially in the second half, could have been much sharper as the pace slackens considerably.

Bottom line: “Kaantha” is not an easy film to categorize. It is not a love story, nor a straightforward thriller, nor a simple tribute to cinema. It is all of these, in parts, and that uneven mix shows. It attempts to recreate a bygone era and the egos of old movie stars but falters in narration with its two contrast halves. Still, the film benefits from Dulquer’s performance, Bhagyashri’s charm and its rich production design. Only the storytelling does not rise to their level and prolonged narrative spoils it.

Rating: 2.5/5

By Jalapathy Gudelli

Movie: Kaantha
Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, Rana Daggubati, Samuthirakani, and others
Music: Jhanu Chanthar
DOP: Dani Sanchez Lopez
Art: Ramalingam
Editor: Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez
Produced by: Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese
Written and Directed by: Selvamani Selvaraj
Release Date: November 14, 2025