Kaantha Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani And Rana Shine In A Fresh Yet Predictable Drama Experience
The film hits an emotional chord upon its arrival as a period saga showcasing the changes within Tamil cinema over the decades and permissibly provides a refreshing mentor–protégé relationship fraught with ego, ambition, love, and betrayal. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and featuring a strong lead in the talented artists Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashree Borse, and Rana Daggubati, Kaantha brings unique energy and emotional weight from the very beginning. That said, while its early stages seem to set up some interesting character-driven drama, the second half inevitably shifts into gear as an overwhelmingly familiar thriller and it seems to suck some originality from the storyline.
STORYLINE
The story centers on Ayya (Samuthirakani), a famous director who 'discovers' and helps make famous and respectable TK Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan) from the time he was a 'superstar' theatre actor. As a contemporary superstar, TKM developed a big ego, especially after Ayya decides to create a film based on the incredible story told to him by his now deceased and hit playwright wife, Shaantha. With his own contacts, TKM tries hijacking the entire movie and even causes renames the film Kaantha. Kumari (Bhagyashree Borse) is Ayya's most recent protege, but soon falls for TKM, especially after TKM rapes her—despite being a married man—and that causes an unsettling emotional experience for her. Before the climax, a twist in the plot delivers an unexpected major shift and ball entertainment to a crime-investigating scheme with police officer Rana Daggubati.
