Kaantha is a heartfelt and straightforward drama about human connection and emotion. The film tells its story slowly and honestly, rather than through big plot developments or melodrama. It builds a calm tone of voice right at the start of the movie, and the tone never changes until the end.
The story follows a man who lives with the weight of his loss, a troubled soul filled with guilt and heartache. As the story unfolds, we learn progressively why the man is silent and withdrawn from his emotional self and his family. The script is patient enough to tell the character’s development and to build the backstory of the character as he creates that world. Therefore, when we see the emotional moments in this film, they do not feel forced.
Kaantha’s most positive aspect is its acting and acting ability; it has very real acting. The leading actor, Sir Dulquer Salmaan, has given an excellent performance, which is very real because he did not use overacting for the delivery of his lines; he uses a few small behaviours and gestures to express what his character feels; therefore, his character is very natural. The supporting cast has also done an excellent job of portraying their characters, especially the characters of the director and heroine; they each were integrated into the storyline very well, and they all did a great job of emotionally displaying their characters to the audience in a very natural manner.
It has a simplistic, yet effective cinematography style; most of the scenes are shot in an actual movie set as this was the main script requirement with lighted background, which fits with the seriousness of the story being told; the backgrounds are not very bright or colourful, again paralleling the quiet, solitary lives of the characters; there are also a lot of close-up shots of the actors, so the audience can relate to how each of the actors feels; the musical scoring is minimal, and has complimented the scenes excellently!
Certain parts of the film may seem slow; therefore, viewers who enjoy films with a fast pace may find parts of the film uninteresting. Yet, for viewers who prefer to view films at a slower pace, Kaantha will appear to them as a hidden treasure.
Kaantha is an authentic and touching story about feelings that we experience but rarely share. Although it is unlikely that Kaantha will be enjoyed as an entertainment source, it is a great option for those who appreciate meaningful stories.
I felt very good when I watched Kaantha on Netflix. The experience was very intimate due to the fact that you do not need to have a huge screen or a sound system; what you do need (if you’re going to enjoy this film) is a very quiet place where you are able to focus all your attention on the film’s characters and their emotions. I had seen the film at night; the movie’s slow, calm pace fit perfectly with my evening mood. Since it was so quiet, I did not feel any awkwardness; it was instead a true form of silence. This allowed me to focus on the small nuances of the characters’ faces and words that I may not have noticed before.
After watching Kaantha on Netflix and the credits rolled, I wasn’t overly amazed; however, I did have some thoughts. The film does not end with some big bang or dramatic emotional statement. In fact, the end is more of a subtle finish that allows for reflection and understanding. Kaantha is not a movie to entertain you, but a movie to connect with you. I feel that Kaantha is a very genuine and sincere film, which I believe will stay in my heart long after I have stopped watching it.