Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
Kantha, starring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role, was released in theaters on November 14, 2025. After its release in theatres, the film is now available for streaming on OTT platform Netflix.
This period mystery drama tells the story of 1950s Madras (now Chennai) superstar TK Mahadevan (played by Dulquer Salmaan). In his latest cinematic venture, the actor is set to work on a film titled Shantha, a horror film directed by his former mentor Ayya, starring debutant Kumari in the lead role.
However, once Mahadevan started making the film, he insisted that the film be made according to his own vision, starting with changing the title to Kantha and even ghost-directing it. While there is a rift between TK and Ayya, a shocking twist comes when Kumari is found dead.
The once dramatic shooting set becomes a crime scene, with Inspector Devaraj, also known as Phoenix (Rana Daggubati), leading the investigation. The film explores who was responsible for Kumari’s death, whether he gets justice, and why there is a feud between Ayya and Mahadevan.
Why are there differences between TK Mahadevan and Ayya?
TK Mahadevan was a homeless man who was struggling to survive until he was saved by Ayya. The filmmaker guided him in Tamil cinema, which helped him become an actor and served as a stepping stone to his success. However, Mahadevan, intoxicated with his newfound fame, craves attention and becomes arrogant about his art. This inflated ego leads him to rivalry with Ayya (Samuthirakani).
Meanwhile, Ayya also instigates a fight. He dislikes his student’s arrogance and success, and ultimately plays a role in sending Mahadevan to jail under false pretenses, deepening the animosity.
How does Kumari get involved in this?
Kumari, a bright-eyed newcomer and Ayya’s latest disciple, is determined to bring her guru’s vision to the screen exactly the way he wants it. As Kantha begins filming, she closely follows Ayya’s instructions, becoming a central figure in the growing tension between Ayya and Mahadevan.
However, while working with the superstar, Kumari becomes infatuated with Mahadevan and eventually falls in love with him. Torn between her mentor and her romantic feelings, she finds herself caught in a painful dilemma, until she is suddenly found dead.
Who was responsible for Kumari’s death?
Kumari (Bhagyashree Borse) tells Mahadevan that she is pregnant with his child. Refusing to abort the child, she insists on marrying him, even though he is already married. Mahadevan agrees and promises to marry her in Tirupati.
However, due to a spying device planted on Kumari, Mahadevan hears only a part of the conversation between her and Ayya and misunderstands her intentions. When Kumari comes to meet him as promised, Mahadevan kills her by shooting her in the heart and stomach.
Only after her death does Mahadevan hear the entire recording, which reveals that Kumari chose her love for Ayya over her loyalty to him.
With no evidence linking him to the crime, Mahadevan goes away without punishment. Her film Shanta (name changed after Kumari’s death) was released as a tribute to her. Burdened with guilt, Ayya takes his own life, while Mahadevan moves on to his next project.
