Kaantha Strikes a Chord and Splits Opinions — Dulquer Salmaan’s 1950s Epic Races at the Box Office

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 18: Kaantha, the highly anticipated period drama starring Dulquer Salmaan, has made a stirring entrance at the box office since its release on November 14, 2025, but not without raising a few eyebrows. With its sweeping recreation of Madras in the 1950s, emotionally layered performances, and whispers of a controversial inspiration, the film is fast becoming a talking point — even as its numbers show signs of caution.

A Grand Vision, Rooted in History

Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, Kaantha is a richly textured tale of ambition, power, and legacy, framed within the glamour of golden-era Tamil cinema. According to Wikipedia, the film revolves around a tense conflict between Ayya, a seasoned director, and T.K. Mahadevan, a rising star. Their clash takes darker turns after a woman-centred film titled Shaantha is renamed Kaantha, and a murder shakes their world.
Co-produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati under their respective banners, the film is a labour of love — technically grand, emotionally ambitious.

The cast also includes Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse, and Rana Daggubati, each adding weight to this retro mystery. The cinematography by Dani Sanchez-Lopez captures the era in all its nostalgic richness, while the haunting score by Jakes Bejoy and Jhanu Chanthar intensifies the drama.

Box Office Uptake: Bright Start, Uneven Momentum

On its opening day, Kaantha registered a strong entry — about ₹4 crore domestically, signaling healthy interest. Over the first weekend, it collected approximately ₹13.85 crore, a number that suggests it resonated well with its target audience.

However, signs of cooling began to show on Monday: its fourth-day total dipped to ₹1.65 crore, bringing the four-day net to approximately ₹15.50 crore. Such a drop isn’t rare — but for a period drama that demands patience and engagement, it raises a typical “will it sustain?” question.

Industry insiders note that while the film’s technical brilliance and star power are undeniable, its box office trajectory faces the classic risk of a “weekend wave + weekday slump” pattern.

Praise, Criticism, and Everything In Between

What’s working:

• Dulquer’s Transformative Performance: He’s being lauded for bringing depth and complexity to Mahadevan, a character torn between stardom and personal demons.

• Artistic Authenticity: Audiences and fans acknowledge Kaantha’s dedication to period detail — from costumes to set design — evoking a genuine vintage feel.

• Symbolic Storytelling: The narrative doesn’t just tell a story; it weaves in themes of legacy, creative tension, and identity within cinema itself.

Where it stumbles:

• Rumours and Real-Life Echoes: There’s significant chatter that the film borrows from the life of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), the legendary Tamil star. While the makers deny it’s a biopic, audiences still spot parallels.

• Pacing Concerns: On social media and Reddit threads, some viewers say the film is too measured — a slow-burn that may not align with the fast-paced expectations of today’s mass audiences.

• Box Office Reach: The Monday dip could be a red flag for long-term sustainability. In a commercially driven market, week-one collections will be critical.

Controversy & Context: Not Just Nostalgia

Adding to the film’s intrigue — and risk — are legal overtones. Reports suggest that descendants of MKT have raised objections, alleging that Kaantha draws heavily from his life without permission. The filmmakers, however, firmly push back: the story is “entirely fictional” and not a direct biopic.

On Reddit, viewers have picked up on symbolic nods that seem too deliberate to be coincidental: the name T.K. Mahadevan, for instance, is a reversal of MKT; other plot points mirror key episodes from Bhagavathar’s life, though reimagined with creative license. This blend of mythic homage and fiction has ignited debate — is it a respectful tribute or a creatively ambiguous?

The Long Game: Sustainability and Legacy

If Kaantha is to become more than just a niche period piece, it needs to navigate two significant challenges: converting early curiosity into sustained box office success, and managing the narrative surrounding its alleged real-world inspirations.

On the financial side, the film needs strong holds in the Tamil and Telugu markets to justify its production scale. On the creative side, it must strike a balance between homage and originality — leaning into thematic depth while avoiding the trap of being seen as a thinly veiled biopic.

The makers appear to sense this: they’re reportedly planning a strategic OTT release after theatrical screenings, to reach a broader digital audience. That could be the smart second act Kaantha needs.

Final Thoughts: A Bold Gamble With Measured Returns

Kaantha is not a lightweight entertainer — it’s a film that courts reflection, nostalgia, and emotional nuance. Dulquer Salmaan’s performance, Selvaraj’s direction, and the retro-glam aesthetic come together in a package that feels lovingly crafted. But that kind of care doesn’t always guarantee box office fireworks.

So far, Kaantha is threading the needle: it has made an impact, but not yet a blockbuster wave. If its storytelling lands over the next few days, it could become a quiet triumph. If not, it risks receding as a beautifully made but commercially cautious venture.

Either way, Kaantha is a bold piece of cinema — and for many, that’s precisely what makes the gamble worth taking.

PNN Entertainment