Movie Review: Kaantha

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 A period drama set in the film industry based out of Madras presumably in the mid '50's era onwards, Kaantha is a thrilling whodunnit with an emotional core.





A superstar TK Mahadevan ( Dulquer Salmaan) is doing a film for Modern Studios with his former mentor and  guru, reverently called Ayya (Samuthirakani), as the director. A talented debutante, Kumari ( Bhagyashri Borse) is the heroine, who is the newest, loyal find of Ayya.

On the face of it,  it's a winning combo for the studio, on the brink of bankruptcy. But  there is a catch.  Ayya and Mahadevan can't stand each other due to a huge fallout years ago. Caught up in their huge ego clash is the  innocent Kumari, torn between loyalty to Ayya and her new found love, Mahadevan.

In such a scenario, occurs a murder. Who is killed and why? Most importantly, who is the killer? To solve this mystery enters a cop, Phoenix ( Rana Daggubati). Does he find out the truth?

The film is a thoroughly gripping, edge-of-the-seat thriller, which keeps you engaged with unwavering attention from beginning to end.  And there are reasons aplenty for this.  

The screenplay is racy, but also gives you time to absorb emotions, feel the tension and suspense, smile at the humor ( brilliant act by Bucks and Rana) and marvel at the electrifying performances by a superb cast.

Dulquer Salmaan is the soul of the film,  delivering perhaps his career best, peak powerhouse performance. The sheer range of expressions and emotions he portrays, seemingly effortlessly,  is  just mindboggling. A true 'nadippin chakravarthi', as he is addressed in the film!




Rana Daggubati is simply outstanding in a very different, meaty role, which he bites into with aplomb and relishes as he performs. Kudos to the director for conceptualising such a memorable role for him,  bringing out the fine actor in him. 

Samuthirakani as Ayya, is brilliant, and his scenes with Dulquer are the mainstay of the film. 

Bhagyashri Borse who debuts in Tamil, delivers a soul stirring act,  with her innocent charm and superb acting prowess on full display. A star actor is born.

 The  outstanding set design, is a major plus for the film,  and assumes a character of its own.

 The bgm and music elevate the film while Dani Sanchez Lopez' camerawork with its shadow play and the perfect color tones, take you back in Time to a bygone era and bring the characters to life 

The dialogues are stimulating and engaging, and a highlight of the film. 

Debut director Selvamanj Selvaraj has outdone himself with a superbly nuanced, gripping, suspenseful and emotional story and screenplay that draws you in  from the word go. Kudos to him also for the perfect lead actors and outstanding supporting cast of Nizhalgal Ravi, Gayatri, Bucks, Vayapuri and others. Every department and craft of the film delivers, with superb co-ordination, helmed by the director. 

Kaantha, is a simply unmissable emotional drama and thrilling whodunit in a period setting, with award worthy, intense, finely honed performances, sprinkled with ample romance, suspense and nostalgia, all making for an immensely enjoyable big screen watch. 

Easily amongst the best films of the year, Kaantha is  a simply  spectacular cinematic experience.

Rating 4.5 /5

Cast & Crew Details:

Cast : Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthrakani, Rana Daggubati, Bhagyashri Borse, Ravindra Vijay, Aadukalam Naren, Vaiyapuri, Gayathri Shankar, Brijesh Nagesh, Bucks, Barathan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Java Sunderasan and others

Written & Directed by- Selvamani Selvaraj

Produced - Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese

Production House - Spirit Media, Wayfarer Films

DOP - Dani Sanchez Lopez

Editor - Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez

Art Director - Ramalingam

Music - Jhanu Chanthar

Executive Producer - SaiKrishna Gadwal, Sujai James 

Line Producer - Sravan Palaparthi

Additional Dialogues & Story Consultant - Thamizh Prabha

Additional Screenplay - Thamizh Prabha

Costumes - Poojita Tadikonda, Archana Rao, Harmann Kaur 

DI colourist - Glen Denis Castinho

 Sound Design - Allwin Rego, Sanjay Maurya Marketing Head - Pasuparthy Sona Raju

Assistant Line Producer - Challa Chandra Shekar

VFX - Deccan Dreams

Telugu PRO - Vamsi Sekhar Tamil PRO - Suresh Chandra/Abdul Nasser

Publicity Design - Aesthetic Kunjamma, TooSid

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