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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

Kaantha

Kaantha is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language period crime thriller film directed by Selvamani Selvaraj.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kaantha is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language period crime thriller film directed by Selvamani Selvaraj. Set in 1950s Madras, the story follows a creative and personal conflict between a director and his actor-protégé during the production of a film, which escalates into a murder mystery. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse and Rana Daggubati.

Plot

Kaantha is set on the set of a long-awaited Tamil horror film in 1950s Madras, where a power struggle between a director and his actor-protégé escalates after a death turns the production into a murder mystery.

Cast

The principal cast includes Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse and Rana Daggubati, with additional roles credited to Ravindra Vijay, Gayathrie, Nizhalgal Ravi, Aadukalam Naren and Vaiyapuri.

Release and distribution

The film had a theatrical release in India on 14 November 2025, followed by a Netflix streaming release on 12 December 2025 in multiple languages.

Background

The film has been described as a fictionalized story inspired by Tamil cinema history, including references to M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, while remaining an original drama according to the makers.

Key facts

  • Kaantha is a Tamil-language period crime thriller film released in 2025.
  • The film is set in 1950s Madras during India’s post-independence era.
  • Its story centres on a creative and personal conflict between a director and his actor-protégé.
  • The cast includes Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse and Rana Daggubati.
  • The film was released in theatres on 14 November 2025 and later streamed on Netflix from 12 December 2025.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may encounter Kaantha on Netflix, where it was made available for streaming after its theatrical run.[2][8]

Frequently asked questions

What is Kaantha?
Kaantha is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language period crime thriller film set in 1950s Madras.
Who stars in Kaantha?
The main cast includes Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse and Rana Daggubati.
Is Kaantha a movie or series?
Kaantha is a movie, not a series.
What is Kaantha about?
It follows a creative feud between a director and his former protégé on the set of a Tamil film, with the dispute developing into a murder mystery.
When was Kaantha released?
It was released in theatres on 14 November 2025 and began streaming on Netflix on 12 December 2025.
Where can I watch Kaantha?
Kaantha is available on Netflix.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28508934/
    Supports: Film title, year, genre, setting, and India theatrical release date.
  2. Netflix — https://www2.stage.netflix.com/se-en/title/81920590
    Supports: Streaming availability, cast, language, and plot synopsis.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaantha
    Supports: Director, principal cast, production background, and fictionalized inspiration note.
  4. Hindustan Times — https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kaantha-ott-release-when-to-stream-dulquer-salmaan-bhagyashri-borses-retro-thriller-on-netflix-101765187016703.html
    Supports: Netflix streaming date, languages, and plot details.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kaantha
    Supports: Plot synopsis, director, genre, theatrical release date, and runtime.