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‘Kaantha’ Opens To Rich Praise: Audiences Hail Dulquer Salmaan’s Performance & Film’s Vintage Visual Flair

A viewer on X shared an extensive, deeply reflective review of Kaantha, calling it “so dense with meaning and emotional layers” that judging it as simply good or bad would be reductive.

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‘Kaantha’ Opens To Rich Praise: Audiences Hail Dulquer Salmaan’s Performance & Film’s Vintage Visual Flair

‘Kaantha’ Opens To Rich Praise: Audiences Hail Dulquer Salmaan’s Performance & Film’s Vintage Visual Flair

Dulquer Salmaan’s Kaantha hit theatres on 14 November 2025, coinciding with Children’s Day. The Tamil-language period mystery drama thriller is directed and co-written by Selvamani Selvaraj and features a powerful ensemble cast including Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, and Rana Daggubati.

Although early rumours suggested that the film was inspired by the life of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the makers later clarified that Kaantha is a completely fictional narrative. The film is jointly produced by Spirit Media (Rana Daggubati) and Wayfarer Films (Dulquer Salmaan).

Now, here’s a look at what audiences are saying about the movie.

A viewer on X shared an extensive, deeply reflective review of Kaantha, calling it “so dense with meaning and emotional layers” that judging it as simply good or bad would be reductive. According to the post, the more they contemplated the film, the more it revealed its intricate writing choices, thematic cues, and character motivations embedded within its period murder-mystery structure.

The reviewer highlighted the film’s central commentary on the corrupting pull of fame, noting how TK Mahadevan’s (Dulquer Salmaan) moral decay is contrasted with his mentor Ayya’s (Samuthirakani) uncompromising purity.

They praised the delicate tensions between Ayya, TKM, and Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), describing them as “clues scattered across the film, waiting to be picked up.” The user argued that Kaantha ultimately explores the death of innocence and the soul-rotting consequences of seeking public validation.

While they felt the detective elements and certain romantic beats lacked punch, they applauded the film’s noir ambition, striking visuals, and Dulquer Salmaan’s wide emotional range.

Concluding their review, the user wrote that despite its flaws, Kaantha remains a thoughtful, emotionally resonant work marked by ambition, craft, and melancholy—one they “find themselves feeling kindly towards.”

Another viewer on X praised the film enthusiastically, writing that Dulquer Salmaan delivered a “mind-blowing performance” and that they “enjoyed every shot of the movie.” They added that Rana Daggubati was the “show-stealer” with his wildly entertaining police character, while Samuthirakani delivered “one of his best performances.” The viewer also complimented Bhagyashri Borse for giving her best onscreen.

A user on X shared a more personal reaction, calling Kaantha “my cup of tea” and rating it 8/10. They praised the film’s “superb visuals, direction, and background score,” and highlighted Dulquer Salmaan—whom they referred to as “Nadip Chakravarthy”—for his charisma, style, and commanding screen presence. The viewer added that they “really enjoyed” his performance, while noting that both Rana Daggubati and Bhagyashri Borse also enjoyed strong screen time and made a solid impact.

One viewer on X offered a structured breakdown of Kaantha, noting that the first half unfolds as a slow-burn drama centred on the tension between the director and the hero—an escalating rivalry that ultimately leads to Kumari’s death.

According to the post, the second half shifts gears into a gripping investigation led by Rana Daggubati, which they described as “very good and crazy.” The user added that the climax is both unexpected and emotional, leaving a strong impression.

A viewer on X summed up Kaantha as “a visually rich, performance-driven period drama” that will particularly appeal to those who enjoy vintage cinema aesthetics and strong acting. However, they added that it may not fully satisfy viewers looking for a tightly constructed thriller.

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