{"id":43640,"date":"2025-11-18T14:53:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/2025\/11\/18\/kaantha-strikes-a-chord-and-splits-opinions-dulquer-salmaans-1950s-epic-races-at-the-box-office\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:53:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:23:45","slug":"kaantha-strikes-a-chord-and-splits-opinions-dulquer-salmaans-1950s-epic-races-at-the-box-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/2025\/11\/18\/kaantha-strikes-a-chord-and-splits-opinions-dulquer-salmaans-1950s-epic-races-at-the-box-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaantha Strikes a Chord and Splits Opinions \u2014 Dulquer Salmaan\u2019s 1950s Epic Races at the Box Office"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 18:<\/strong> Kaantha<\/em>, the\u00a0highly anticipated period drama starring\u00a0Dulquer Salmaan<\/strong>, has made a stirring entrance at the box office since its release on\u00a0November 14,<\/strong><\/span>\u00a02025<\/strong>, 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 \u2014 even as its numbers show signs of caution.<\/p>\n

A Grand Vision, Rooted in History<\/h3>\n

Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj<\/strong>, Kaantha<\/em> <\/a>is a richly textured tale of ambition, power, and legacy, framed within the glamour of golden-era Tamil cinema.\u00a0According to\u00a0Wikipedia<\/em>, the film revolves around a tense conflict between\u00a0Ayya<\/strong>, a seasoned director, and\u00a0T.K. Mahadevan<\/strong>, <\/span>a rising star. Their clash takes darker turns after a woman-centred film titled Shaantha<\/em> is renamed Kaantha<\/em>, and a murder shakes their world.
Co-produced by Dulquer Salmaan<\/strong> and Rana Daggubati<\/strong> under their respective banners, the film is a labour of love \u2014 technically grand, emotionally ambitious.<\/p>\n

The cast also includes Samuthirakani<\/strong>, Bhagyashri Borse<\/strong>, and Rana Daggubati<\/strong>, each adding weight to this retro mystery.\u00a0The cinematography by Dani Sanchez-Lopez<\/strong> captures the era in all its nostalgic richness, while the haunting score by Jakes Bejoy<\/strong> and Jhanu Chanthar intensifies the drama.<\/p>\n

Box Office Uptake: Bright Start, Uneven Momentum<\/h3>\n

On its opening day, Kaantha<\/em> registered a strong entry \u2014 about \u20b94 crore<\/strong> domestically, signaling healthy interest. Over the first weekend, it collected approximately \u20b913.85 crore<\/strong>, a number that suggests it resonated well with its target audience.<\/p>\n

However, signs of cooling began to show on Monday: its fourth-day total dipped to \u20b91.65 crore<\/strong>, bringing the four-day net to approximately \u20b915.50 crore<\/strong>. Such a drop isn\u2019t rare \u2014 but for a period drama that demands patience and engagement, it raises a typical \u201cwill it sustain?\u201d question.<\/p>\n

Industry insiders note that while the film\u2019s technical brilliance and star power are undeniable, its box office trajectory faces the classic risk of a \u201cweekend wave + weekday slump\u201d pattern.<\/p>\n

Praise, Criticism, and Everything In Between<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s working:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Dulquer\u2019s Transformative Performance<\/strong>: He\u2019s being lauded for bringing depth and complexity to Mahadevan, a character torn between stardom and personal demons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Artistic Authenticity<\/strong>: Audiences and fans acknowledge Kaantha<\/em>\u2019s dedication to period detail \u2014 from costumes to set design \u2014 evoking a genuine vintage feel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Symbolic Storytelling<\/strong>: The narrative doesn\u2019t just tell a story; it weaves in themes of legacy, creative tension, and identity within cinema itself.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Where it stumbles:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • \n

      Rumours and Real-Life Echoes<\/strong>: There\u2019s significant chatter that the film borrows from the life of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar<\/em> (MKT), the legendary Tamil star. While the makers deny it\u2019s a biopic, audiences still spot parallels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Pacing Concerns<\/strong>: On social media and Reddit threads, some viewers say the film is too measured \u2014 a slow-burn that may not align with the fast-paced expectations of today\u2019s mass audiences.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Box Office Reach<\/strong>: The Monday dip could be a red flag for long-term sustainability. In a commercially driven market, week-one collections will be critical.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Controversy & Context: Not Just Nostalgia<\/h3>\n

      Adding to the film\u2019s intrigue \u2014 and risk \u2014 are legal overtones. Reports suggest that descendants of MKT have raised objections, alleging that Kaantha<\/em> draws heavily from his life without permission.\u00a0The filmmakers, however, firmly push back: the story is \u201centirely fictional\u201d and not a direct biopic.<\/p>\n

      On Reddit, viewers have picked up\u00a0on symbolic nods that seem too deliberate to be coincidental: the name\u00a0T.K. Mahadevan<\/strong>, for instance, is a reversal of MKT; other plot points mirror key episodes from Bhagavathar\u2019s life, though reimagined with creative license<\/span>. This blend of mythic homage and fiction has ignited debate \u2014 is it a respectful tribute or a creatively ambiguous?<\/p>\n

      The Long Game: Sustainability and Legacy<\/h3>\n

      If Kaantha<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

      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 \u2014 leaning into thematic depth while avoiding the trap of being seen as a thinly veiled biopic.<\/p>\n

      The makers appear to sense this: they\u2019re reportedly planning a strategic OTT release after theatrical screenings, to reach a broader digital audience. That could be the smart second act Kaantha<\/em> needs.<\/p>\n