Marketing
The film announcement was made by Rana Daggubati by sharing a first-look poster coinciding with Dulquer Salmaan's birth anniversary in 2023. [11] Coinciding Salmaan's 13-years in the film industry, a character-reveal first-look poster was released. [12] On Valentines Day of 2025, the lead actress, Bhagyashri Borse's poster was released. [13] On 26 April 2025, coinciding Samuthirakani's birthday, a similar character-reveal poster of him, playing the role as Ayya was released. [14] Coinciding Salmaan's birth anniversary in 2025, the teaser was released to garner positive reviews. [15] Through the teaser, Salmaan was revealed to play the role of an actor Chandran in the film. [16] The trailer was released on 6 November 2025. [17]
Reception
Kaantha received mixed to positive reviews from critics.
Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Where Kaantha stumbles is in its transparency. Red herrings get tossed around, but once the pieces align, the trajectory feels obvious. There's also a curious lack of discretion in how the affair unfolds. [...] The film knows it's trafficking in archetypes and classical mechanics, and instead of trying to subvert them, it just plays them straight with enough craft to make the old moves land. Sometimes commitment beats cleverness." [28] Kaushik Rajaraman of DT Next gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Kaantha is the film that the Tamil industry badly wanted to sign off the year on a good note. For movie buffs, who have been closely following the actors in the 50s and even today, Kaantha strikes the right chord." [29] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "The Selvamani Selvaraj directorial stands as a testament to the outstanding showmanship of Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse, with Dulquer delivering one of the finest performances of his career." [30]
Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Dulquer Salmaan's Kaantha is really held together by superlative performances and the superior production value of the film, which makes you forgive a fair share of flaws." [31] Goutham S of Pinkvilla gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Kaantha is an engaging watch when it remains a period drama. But once it transitions into an investigative thriller, it struggles to maintain the same impact and loses sight of key elements introduced in the first half." [32] Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Kaantha, much like the film industry it is set in, has much to offer in terms of dizzying fame, passionate affairs and unchecked ego. However, the highs and lows of the film seem starkly in contrast, [...] It’s the performances that make the uneven tone of the film worthwhile." [33]
Anusha Sundar of OTT Play gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Kaantha is anchored well with some great performances poured in by Dulquer, Bhagyashri, and others, but the gaps in writing, are evident too. The imbalance lays the film bare of its shortcomings, standing tall between enjoying the indulgent path it takes." [34] Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Director Selvamani Selvaraj's 'Kaantha', starring Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani and Bhagyashri Borse, is a period drama thriller. Powerful performances and excellent making see the film soar, and then plummet when it becomes an investigation drama." [35] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Kaantha is sincere and compelling in parts, which helps balance the portions that feel less fully realised." [36]
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