Kantha Review: Co-directed by his one-time peer, Rana Daggubati, Kantha is set in the 1950s film industry and is an ambitious period drama on artful ambition and ego bragging, wrapped around a suspenseful murder mystery for the leftover nostalgic cinema. The stakes were assumed very high with Dulquer leading the pack and a richly textured period setup in place. But does Kantha manage to impress as a theatrical experience at the end? Let’s find out.
The central character is Ayya (Samuthirakani), a passionate filmmaker who wants to make Shantha, a film based on his mother’s life. He first binds the leading role to his own lowly student, T.K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan). Just when everything seems ready to go, fate intervenes, the project is shelved, and Mahadevan rises eight years later to the top of the film industry.
Revival of the work means that Mahadevan is actually demanding amendments to accommodate his new image. Ayya disputes, an artistic-ego clash erupts, Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse) steps in as a peacemaker, but tensions are rising until a sudden death occurs on set, forcing Inspector Devaraj (Rana Daggubati) to intervene.
The rest of the film unravels the mystery of who was murdered, who did it, and whether Shantha will ever see the light of day.
Filming a film often treads this thin line-charms or repulses. While Kantha establishes the mood very well, storytelling wobbles. Ego clashes between director and star were treated maturely and developed some nice dramatic moments. Then, there was intrigue from the murder investigation, giving space for an extra layer to the film.
From a technical perspective, it was thoroughly well made-the 1950s period being authentic, equally stunning cinematography, and a score that undergirds the film’s tone. Anything less than these strong pillars stretched further would be quite tedious to narrate. The screenplay was loose, and the second half lost energy, so the audience didn’t really feel the emotional journey.
Dulquer Salmaan gave one hell of a show with the emotional intensity. Samuthirakani, as usual, brings much-needed stability through many crucial moments. Bhagyashri Borse shines in her debut, while Rana Daggubati lends weight to the project, even in a small part.
Dulquer’s superb performance
Technical values
Genuine 1950s recreation
Authentic dialogues
Also Read: Kaantha Budget Vs Collections: How Much Dulquer Salmaan Needs For Hit?
Weak screenplay
Second half drags a lot
Uneven emotional flow
Kantha is visually rich and performance-centered but lags behind due to mixed writing. Period drama lovers and film buffs might enjoy it, but general audiences might find the film more OTT material than a theatrical outing.
Rating: 2/5: Wonderful period drama dragged down by a slow-moving screenplay and inconsistent storytelling.
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