Selvamani Selvaraj’s Kaantha is a retro-styled film that blends romance, ambition, artistic conflict and a murder mystery. With powerful performances by Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse, the film often feels brilliant — even though it doesn’t always reach the emotional depth it aims for.

A Film Within a Film — and a Battle of Egos

Set in 1950s Madras, the story follows filmmaker Ayya (Samuthirakani), who is summoned by studio head Marin (Ravindra Vijay) to revive his stalled horror project Saantha. Ayya believes he has found the perfect lead in Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse), inspired by his own mother.

But there is a catch: he must collaborate with his former protégé, the now-superstar TK Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan). Their strained relationship sets up a tense dynamic wh

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