Kaantha Movie Review: Our Honest Take — Is Dulquer’s Film a Hit? (No Spoilers)

Hello, movie fans! We are writing this on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The biggest Tamil movie of the season, Kaantha, is releasing in theaters tomorrow, November 14.

But the first reviews are already in from special press shows. Everyone is talking about it.

The main question is: Is this period drama as good as the trailer? And does Dulquer Salmaan give his best performance?

We have read all the first-day reviews. We are here to give you our simple and honest take. This is a 100% no-spoiler review. We will only tell you the good and the bad.

Should you book your tickets for Kaantha this weekend? Let’s find out.

What is the Story of Kaantha? (No Spoilers)

First, what is the movie about?

Kaantha is a big-budget period film. The story is set in the 1950s in Madras (now Chennai). It takes you back to the world of old movie studios.

The story is about a big ego clash. On one side, we have T.K. Mahadevan (played by Dulquer Salmaan). He is a huge superstar, called the “King of Acting.” On the other side, we have Ayya (played by Samuthirakani). He is Mahadevan’s mentor and a famous director. In fact, Ayya is the one who found Mahadevan and made him a star.

Now, they are working together on a new film. But Mahadevan is no longer a small actor. He is a superstar. He starts to change the movie. He even changes the movie’s title to “Kaantha.”

This makes his director, Ayya, very angry.

The film is about their fight. It is a war of ego. Who is bigger, the star or the director?

A new heroine, Kumari (played by Bhagyashri Borse), is also in the film. She is caught in the middle of their fight.

But wait, there is a big twist! The first half of the film is a drama. But in the second half, something bad happens on the movie set. A crime is committed.

Then, the movie becomes a thriller. A police officer, Inspector Devaraj (played by Rana Daggubati), enters the story. He has to find the truth.

So, Kaantha is two movies in one: a period drama and a murder mystery.

How are the Actors? Does Dulquer Salmaan Shine?

A film like this needs great acting. The first reviews are very clear on this. The acting is the best part of Kaantha.

Dulquer Salmaan as T.K. Mahadevan

The reviews for Dulquer are amazing. Critics are calling this a “career-best performance.” Many are saying he deserves a National Award for this role. He plays the 1950s superstar perfectly. His style, his walk, and his emotional scenes are “outstanding.” He is the “soul of the film.” If you are a Dulquer Salmaan fan, this is a must-watch for you.

Samuthirakani as Ayya

Samuthirakani plays the mentor, Ayya. He is also getting great reviews. He has an equal role to Dulquer. Their “ego clash” scenes are the highlight of the first half. He is a powerful actor and gives a “brilliant” performance.

Bhagyashri Borse as Kumari

This is the big surprise. Bhagyashri Borse is the new actress. And reviews say she is a “show-stealer.” This is her first film, but she has done a “phenomenal” job. She is not just a pretty face. She has a very important role and, according to critics, she “owns every scene” she is in. She is the “find of the film.”

Rana Daggubati as Inspector Devaraj

This is where the reviews get mixed. Rana Daggubati plays the police officer who enters in the second half. Some critics loved his entry. They said he is “stylish” and “fun.” But many critics said his character is “too over the top.” They felt his performance was “dramatic” and “cringey.” Some said his modern style did not fit the 1950s period.

What is Good and What is Bad?

We promised an honest take. So, here are the good and bad points from the early reviews.

The Good Parts

• The First Half: Everyone agrees the first half of the film is “gripping,” “brilliant,” and “superb.”
• The Performances: As we said, Dulquer, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri are fantastic.
• The Look: The film looks beautiful. The 1950s Madras sets, the old studios, and the costumes are all perfect. The “cinematography” is top-class.
• The Climax: Many critics said the last 20-30 minutes are “emotional,” “strong,” and have a great “unpredictable” twist.

The Bad Parts

• The Second Half: After a great first half, the movie becomes slow. The police investigation part is “dull” and “boring” for many.
• The Length: The movie is very long. It is 163 minutes (2 hours and 43 minutes). Many critics said it “drags” in the middle.
• Rana’s Role: As mentioned, many people did not like Rana’s “over-the-top” acting.
• Predictable Mystery: Some critics said that while the climax is good, they could guess “who did the crime” very easily. Only the “why” was a surprise.

Our Final Verdict: Should You Watch Kaantha?

So, should you book your tickets? Based on all the reviews, here is our advice.

Yes, you should watch Kaantha. But be prepared.

Go to the theater for one reason: Performances. Go to watch Dulquer Salmaan give an award-winning performance. Go to watch the amazing debut of Bhagyashri Borse.

Do not go expecting a fast-paced thriller. The film is a slow-burning drama. It is long and has a weak middle part.

But, the amazing acting, the beautiful 1950s world, and the strong climax make it a “good one-time watch.” It is a film for people who love serious cinema and great acting.

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Opinion

This film is a “mixed bag.” The reviews are praising Dulquer to the skies. This will bring a lot of people to the theater on Day 1. The opening will be strong because of Dulquer’s stardom.

But, the bad reviews for the second half and the long runtime are a problem. This is not a “paisa vasool” entertainer. It is a serious film. After the weekend, the movie will depend on family audiences. Because the second half is slow, it might drop at the box office.

Verdict: Strong opening, but may not be a blockbuster. It will be a “Hit” because of the performances, but not a “Super Hit.”