The long-awaited Tamil period drama Kaantha starring Dulquer Salmaan has finally released in theaters on November 14. Written and directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and produced by Dulquer Salmaan with Rana Daggubati, the film also stars Bhagyashree Borse, Samuthirakani and Rana Daggubati. The film is a fictional tale set in the 1950s, following the conflict between a film star and the director who represents her. While the early screenings resulted in another hit for Dulquer, the public reaction on Twitter has been a mix of praise and criticism.
Fans have particularly praised the performances of Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashree Borse and Samuthirakani, describing them as “heart-touching”. Many viewers appreciated the technical aspects of the film, with one fan calling it “one of the finest art films of Tamil cinema”. However, along with the praise, some tweets also pointed out some shortcomings in Kantha.
Here’s what fans are saying
While the premise of Kantha surprised many, some felt that the execution could have been stronger. One user wrote, “Interesting premise but change in style not executed well. Slow pace and Rana tests patience in second half.”
Another highlighted the writing, saying, “To be honest, Kantha was a disappointment. Shallow writing that is saved by some amazing performances. Technically good, but you don’t really connect with anyone.” A section of fans felt that the second half needed more emotional depth, noting that “the vastness of emotions, be it ego, love, or even the whodunit angle, remains at the surface level. It feels like a lot of things are happening but you also feel like not much is happening!”
Here are some more reviews:
Despite the criticisms, audiences acknowledged the film’s artistic merits and praised the cast for improving the material. Dulquer’s performance, in particular, received attention for his nuanced portrayal, while Bhagyashree Borse and Samuthirakani were also recognized for their strong contributions to the story.
Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, Kantha has been compared to earlier Dulquer period films like Mahanati, Seetha Ramam and Lucky Baskhar. While some fans were expecting a commercial entertainer, the makers clarified that the film is a fictional tale and not based on the life of Tamil superstar MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Following its theatrical release, the post-theatrical streaming rights of Kaantha have been acquired by Netflix, making it accessible to a wider audience globally.
Also read: Revolver Rita trailer: Keerthy Suresh brings the laughs and action in new crime comedy
