Kaantha

Set on a film set in 1950s Madras, just after India's hard won independence, Kaantha follows a director who dreams of his breakout film and a fading superstar who once launched his career. The tension grows as the spotlight shifts toward a debuting leading actress, around whom the three orbit as power, pride, and past loyalties collide. The story uses the backstage world of cinema to probe ambition and artistic credibility, showing how egos, alliances, and rumors ripple through the set and threaten the project as much as they propel it. In this tense triangle, every choice on screen mirrors a personal stake off it, and the line between art and personal vanity blurs. The film also nods to the era's shifts in the industry and social fabric.

Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the film presents an original screenplay by Deepika Karthik Kumar and Thamizh Prabha. Kaantha features Dulquer Salmaan as the director and a stellar ensemble that includes Bhagyashri Borse, Samuthirakani, Ravindra Vijay and Rana Daggubati plus more.

Box office figures have not been publicly disclosed, and industry insiders suggest a modest release intended for a cinephile audience rather than a wide mainstream rollout, with cautious expectations for international appeal in select markets overseas screens later worldwide.

As of now there are no major awards announced for Kaantha. The film's backstage focus and star power could attract festival attention later, and critics anticipate dialogue on performance and direction that might translate into nominations if opportunities arise at regional awards circuits.

Early reception frames Kaantha as a layered portrait of cinema backstage power plays. The 6.8 score on 16 votes signals mixed opinions about pacing, yet critics praise the era atmosphere and the tense dynamics. The film probes authority, artistic credibility, and how personal ambition reshapes collaborations on and off screen.