Kaanthat Movie Review: A Different Cinematic Attempt, But Is It For Everyone?
The film Kaanthat was released in theaters with a runtime of 2 hours and 44 minutes. The reviewer noted missing the Hyderabad premieres due to being in Vizag, otherwise the review would have been available sooner. Having watched the film, the reviewer believes it will appeal to those who enjoy different films, distinct from routine cinema. The reviewer personally found satisfaction in experiencing a different kind of film after watching many routine ones. However, for a general audience, engagement might be a challenge.
The Kaanthat Experience: Genre and Pacing
Kaanthat begins as an artistic drama, transitions into a murder mystery, and concludes on an emotional note. The first half, featuring a conflict between guru and disciple in a loop mode, felt good during the beginning and the interval, though the middle part seemed repetitive. The second half was enjoyable whenever Rana Daggubati’s sarcastic role appeared. Overall, the movie proceeded with a significantly lagged narration.
Star-Studded Performances Shine
The performances, notably by Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashree Borse, Samuthirakani, and Rana Daggubati, were described as being at peak levels. However, for those seeking a fully engaging, fast-paced, and highly entertaining film, Kaanthat might not appeal.
A Glimpse into the Storyline
The basic storyline involves Samuthirakani being impressed by the hero’s performance in the 1950s and bringing them in to star as the heroine. In the future, these two individuals become enemies but later reunite to make a film together. This also involves Bhagyashree Borse making her debut as the heroine. The story then delves into what happened, whether the film ‘Shanta’ was finished, Rana Daggubati’s role, and the central murder mystery.
What Works: The Plus Points
Among the plus points, performances were outstanding and require no further special mention. Mainly, a few scenes in the first half felt refreshingly new. The scene involving slaps, where slaps were transformed into acting to deliver a response, was particularly impressive. The interval’s undiscoverable murder mystery was also well-executed. Cinematography and the period sets were good, as was the background music. However, the songs did not particularly stand out.
Challenges and Drawbacks: The Minus Points
A common question that arose throughout the film was why not a single character in the movie questioned the morality of loving a married person, not even a single dialogue addressing it as wrong. Furthermore, the guru-disciple conflict in the first half repeatedly occurs without much progression, though it sets a base before transitioning into a murder mystery at the interval. A significant drawback was the lack of narration that builds strong interest in what happens next. The film maintains a pattern of creating a movie within the narrative, involving the conflict between two characters and the heroine’s involvement, but lacks an engaging narrative to keep viewers curious about future events. The slow pace contributed to a strong sense of lag. The film also brought to mind the movie ‘Mahanati,’ though the reason would only be clear upon watching Kaanthat.
Is Kaanthat For You? Final Verdict & Rating
Ultimately, the reviewer’s advice is that if you are looking for a slightly different setup, a few refreshing scenes, and strong performances, Kaanthat is worth a try. It does not offer typical elements like comedy, grand fights, or other commercial components found in regular films. It is described as a ‘good attempt but not for everyone’. The reviewer’s personal rating for Kaanthat is 2.75 out of 5.
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