Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati’s ‘Kaantha’ Gathers Momentum

The highly anticipated period drama, Kaantha, co-produced by and starring South Indian heartthrob Dulquer Salmaan alongside actor-producer Rana Daggubati, is gathering substantial momentum ahead of its worldwide release tomorrow, November 14th. The film, a multi-lingual project originally filmed in Tamil, is already drawing noteworthy attention from the Telugu market, underscoring the strong pan-Indian appeal of its cast and unique premise.

Set against the glamorous yet volatile backdrop of 1950s Madras (now Chennai) cinema, Kaantha delves into the intense and complex relationship between an actor and his mentor-turned-director. Dulquer Salmaan plays the star, T. K. Mahadevan, whose soaring fame creates an ego clash with his guiding figure, Ayya, portrayed by Samuthirakani. The narrative is expected to be a psychological drama that transitions into a gripping thriller, reportedly involving a murder mystery that shakes the golden age of cinema.

Early reviews from press screenings have been exceptionally positive, with several critics hailing Dulquer Salmaan’s portrayal as T. K. Mahadevan as a “career-best” performance. Reviewers have lauded the actor’s ability to flawlessly transition from a charismatic matinee idol to a conflicted, complex personality. Director Selvamani Selvaraj is also receiving praise for his masterful storytelling and meticulous recreation of the 1950s film industry aesthetic.

Crucially, the film’s initial advance bookings highlight the strong appeal in the Telugu states. Despite being a Tamil-originated film, the Telugu dubbed version has accounted for the majority of the current US premiere collections, generating over $13,000 of the modest pre-sales total. This early response is largely attributed to the presence of Rana Daggubati, whose involvement as both an actor and producer under the Spirit Media banner, provides a strong local connection and trust factor for the Telugu audience.

The movie, which runs for 2 hours and 43 minutes and carries a U/A certificate, has been cleared for release after addressing a minor legal issue where a petition was filed claiming it defamed a legendary film personality. The makers have confirmed the story is purely fictional and only inspired by the period’s drama and real incidents, paving the way for its grand release across five languages (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi). Kaantha stands poised to offer a layered cinematic experience blending period drama, mystery, and an intense look at the price of fame.