Kaantha, Dulquer Salmaan’s latest period drama hit theatres on 14 Nov 2025, but the Tamil‑Telugu audience response fell short of expectations, delivering a disappointing box‑office run. While the lead performances earned unanimous praise, the film’s earnings stalled after a modest first three days, collapsing sharply over the weekend.
Kaantha arrives on the heels of a strong opening, pulling an estimated ₹4.35 crore on day 1, but weak word‑of‑mouth and weekend slump led to a rapid decline in collections. So far the movie has grossed roughly ₹30 crore, with a ₹50 crore target appearing out of reach.
The film’s digital future is already set, Netflix secured the exclusive streaming rights, and with a four‑week theatrical window, Kaantha will premiere on Netflix on 12 Dec 2025 across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. The production team, including co‑producers Rana Daggubati, Prashanth Potluri and Jom Varghese, now looks to the Netflix rollout to recoup losses and extend the film’s lifespan.
With a runtime of about 160 minutes, the movie blends 1950s Madras studio politics, ego clashes, and a crime‑drama twist. Fans can expect rich visuals, a score by Jakes Bejoy, and performances that critics have hailed as among Dulquer’s best, even if the theatrical numbers fell short.