Kaantha First Review Out On Internet: How Good Is Dulquer Salmaan's Film?

Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati-starrer Kaantha is a period drama thriller film co-written and directed by Selvamani Selvaraj. Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, Ravindra Vijay, Nizhalgal Ravi and others are in the cast.

Jointly funded by Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan under their Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films banners, the movie has Jhanu Chanthar's music and Jakes Bejoy's background score.

Dani Sanchez-Lopez is the cinematographer, while Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalvez has edited the movie.

The first reviews of the movie are out on the internet. Check out what they say:

Sridevi Sreedhar: #Kaantha 4/5
@dulQuer as TK Mahadevan is the heart and soul of this film. He proves yet again that he is an incredible actor as he portrays a variety of emotions effortlessly with flair and swag. What an awesome performance from a lead actor this year👏 and in the climax, he pulls off a class act. The first half was extremely gripping while the latter half was more of a Hitchcock style investigation (
@RanaDaggubati
)about who did the crime! #bhagyashriborse is apt and she is fab, while
@thondankani
stands tall with a superb act. Music by #JakesBijoy and the presentation esp in the first half by dir #SelvamaniSelvaraj was 🙌 Don't miss this one. It's worth ur time and money #Kaanthareview

Rajasekar: This is a classic! #SelvamaniSelvaraj has made a genre bending film . While the first half is all about the ego tussle between the Guru -Sishya and romantic undercurrent between the film stars , the second half becomes a Hitchcock style investigative thriller with the climax that leaves a lump in your throat.
@dulQuer what a performer! He should and must win National Awards for his incredible, intense and immaculate performance as the career-focused TK Mahadevan. The mirror scene in the intermission and climax tells talks volumes about his calibre. The way his characters he goes back to his self in the end tells you how strong his character is !

@thondankani also deserves kudos for his phenomenal performance, he is becoming one of the best character artists in Indian cinema. #BhagyashriBorse is definitely a revelation, she carries innocence throughout the film that has characters that are egoistic, cunning and full of grey. In the end, her character will stay in your hearts!

@RanaDaggubati comes as the over the top investigative officer adds some masala flavour to the classy film! But in the end , his character is also nicely summarised.

Technically,@jakes_bejoy's background score , Daniel Sanchez-Lopez 's visuals and production design stand out.

Definitely one of the best films of this year 👍👍

Ramesh: #Kaantha [4.5/5] :
1st Half Excellent Drama..
2nd Half Excellent Investigative Thriller and Drama..
Set in 1950's Madras Movie Industry..
@dulQuer may win a National Award for Acting..
#BhagyashriBorse is terrific..
@thondankani is fantastic
@RanaDaggubati is excellent
Authentic recreation of the past.. Technically Superior..
Director #SelvamaniSelvaraj is a Master story-teller!
Don't Miss it!

Haricharan Pudipeddi: #Kaantha - 4 stars. Among star films, this is unarguably this year's best Tamil movie. No second thoughts about it. A period whodunit that's a beautiful concoction of drama, ego clash, deceit and love. From a period drama in the first half, the way it transitions into an investigative thriller is mind boggling work. Beast of a performance from
@dulQuer
. Line up the awards 🔥 Equally strong performances from #bhagyashriborse, who's a revelation and @RanaDaggubati

Rinku Gupta: #Kaantha 4.5/5
A rivetting period drama & thrilling whodunnit with emotional core💥
Showstealer @dulQuer soul of the film,with a powerhouse performance💥
@RanaDaggubati simply brilliant in a different role💥
#bhagyashriborse soul stirring act💥 camera, sets 👌🏾
Just Unmissable!

VJ Santhosh: #Kaantha is a genre-bending classic of the YEAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
#SelvamaniSelvaraj crafts a unbelievable gripping tale ego clashes, romance, and the tension in the twists that leaves a lump in your throat.
@dulQuer is phenomenal as #TKMahadevan National Award-worthy!
Last year #LuckyBhaskar, This year this gem. The dark horse of the Commercial BLOCKBUSTERS.
@thondankani, #BhagyashriBorse &
@RanaDaggubati all peak casting can't imagine anyone at their spot !
A must-watch masterpiece of 2025 👏

Heytamilcinema: #Kaantha - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of the best films of the year.
#SelvamaniSelvaraj delivers a bold, unique film that smoothly shifts from a tense ego clash in the first half to a gripping mystery in the second.
@dulQuer is brilliant as TK Mahadevan - calm, intense, and completely in control of his craft. The mirror scenes say everything about his depth as an actor.
@thondankani matches him perfectly with quiet power, while #BhagyashriBorse brings warmth and innocence that balance the film's darker tones.
@RanaDaggubati's flashy cop act adds the right amount of spice, and his role ties up neatly in the end.
With #JakesBejoy's powerful score, #DanielSanchezLopez's stunning visuals, and top-notch production design, this one's a complete cinematic treat.
Don't settle for a small screen - experience it on the big one.