Kaantha (2025)
DirectorSelvamani Selvaraj
StarringDulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, Samuthirakani, Ravindra Vijay
Watch onNetflix
Best for: Viewers who enjoy period dramas about cinema, ambition and rivalry, with a strong cast led by Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani.
Where to watch Kaantha online in India
Subscription
NetflixAvailability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.
Kaantha OTT release date
| Theatrical release (India) | 13 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| OTT / digital release (India) | 12 December 2025 |
| Gap between theatre and OTT | 29 days |
| Streaming now on | Netflix |
Release dates for India as listed on TMDB.
Kaantha story (no spoilers)
Set in 1950s post-colonial Madras, Kaantha unfolds on a film set where director T. K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan) is trying to make his seminal film. His professional rivalry with A. P. Kodandaraman (Samuthirakani), the top reigning actor whom the director once introduced, spirals around a debutante leading actress, Kumari (Bhagyashri Borse). As the relationships among the three grow tense, the film explores the friction between creative ambition and star power. The tone is a historical crime drama, blending the glamour of cinema with the shadows of rivalry. The runtime is 150 minutes, and the film is certified U/A 13+ in India.
Should you watch Kaantha?
Watch it for
- Dulquer Salmaan plays T. K. Mahadevan, a director battling to make his seminal film, while Samuthirakani is A. P. Kodandaraman, the reigning actor he once introduced, setting up a charged mentor-protege rivalry.
- The film is a historical crime drama set in 1950s post-colonial Madras, built around a film set and the politics of stardom.
- Debutante Bhagyashri Borse plays Kumari, the leading actress whose presence turns the rivalry between the two men into a personal triangle.
- Director Selvamani Selvaraj works with music by Jhanu Chanthar and Jakes Bejoy across a 150-minute runtime, with a supporting cast including Rana Daggubati as Phoenix and Gayathrie Shankar as Devi.
Skip it if
- You prefer fast-paced action over a 150-minute historical drama that spends its time on professional rivalry and relationships.
- You want a light, family-friendly watch; the U/A 13+ certificate and crime genre suggest a more serious tone.
- You dislike stories centred on the film industry itself, as the plot is set entirely around a film set and the egos within it.
Kaantha cast
Dulquer Salmaanas T. K. Mahadevan
Bhagyashri Borseas Kumari
Samuthirakanias A. P. Kodandaraman
Ravindra Vijayas Martin Prabhakaran
Rana Daggubatias Phoenix
Gayathrie Shankaras Devi
Nizhalgal Ravias Sivabalan Mudhaliyar
Vaiyapurias Selvam
Java Sundaresanas Stage Presenter
Bijesh Nageshas Babu
Aadukalam Narenas IG
Bagavathi Perumalas Constable KaathuKaantha movie details
| Director | Selvamani Selvaraj |
|---|---|
| Writer | Thamizh Prabha, Selvamani Selvaraj |
| Music | Jhanu Chanthar, Jakes Bejoy |
| Cinematography | Dani Sanchez-Lopez |
| Producer | Rana Daggubati, Dulquer Salmaan, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese |
| Release date | 13 November 2025 |
| Runtime | 2h 30m (150 minutes) |
| Original language | Tamil |
| Country of origin | India |
| Languages spoken in the film | Tamil |
| Original title | காந்தா |
| Certificate (India) | U/A 13+ |
Parental guide: is Kaantha family friendly?
The U/A 13+ certificate suggests content suitable for teens and above; this is a general guide based on genre and certification, not a detailed breakdown. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.
Our verdict
Kaantha is a 1950s Madras-set drama about a director and the star he created, with Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani playing the rival pair. The film uses its 150-minute runtime to explore the cost of ambition and the pull of a debutante actress, Kumari. It is a solid pick for fans of period crime dramas, though those wanting quicker pacing may find it slow.
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MahanatiFrequently asked questions
Where can I watch Kaantha online in India?
Kaantha is streaming on Netflix in India.
When is Kaantha releasing on OTT in India?
Kaantha releases on Netflix in India on 12 December 2025.
When did Kaantha release in theatres?
Kaantha released in Indian theatres on 13 November 2025.
Who is in the cast of Kaantha?
The cast includes Dulquer Salmaan as T. K. Mahadevan, Bhagyashri Borse as Kumari, Samuthirakani as A. P. Kodandaraman, Rana Daggubati as Phoenix, and Gayathrie Shankar as Devi.
Who directed Kaantha?
Kaantha is directed by Selvamani Selvaraj.
Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.