Dulquer Salmaan's upcoming period horror-thriller, Kaantha, initially slated for a theatrical release on September 12, 2025, has been postponed. The decision was made to allow Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, another film produced by Dulquer Salmaan, to continue its successful run at the box office. A new release date for Kaantha will be announced soon.
The announcement of the postponement came directly from Dulquer Salmaan and co-producer Rana Daggubati in a joint statement. They expressed gratitude for the support and love received since the release of the teaser for Kaantha. Acknowledging the "resounding success of Lokah", they stated their desire to let "Chandra's rampage in the box office to keep soaring".
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen, has indeed been a box office success. The film, a superhero origin story penned and directed by Dominic Arun, has garnered tremendous business both domestically and internationally. After 14 days of release, Lokah had collected ₹97.85 crores in India and reached ₹210 crores at the worldwide box office. Within 11 days, the film grossed close to ₹60 Cr in Kerala, with double-digit gross in the Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the rest of India. Overseas, Lokah has grossed over 10 million USD, becoming the third Malayalam film to achieve this milestone after Empuraan and Thudarum.
The decision to postpone Kaantha appears to be a strategic move to avoid splitting the audience's attention between two major releases. Given the significant buzz and anticipation surrounding Lokah, the filmmakers likely want to maximize its box office potential before releasing another highly anticipated film.
Kaantha is directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and features Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse in lead roles. The film is set in the 1950s Madras era and revolves around a legendary director. Kaantha is jointly produced by Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan under their respective banners, Spirit Media and Wayfarer Films.
The film is a period drama about a superstar from yesteryear Tamil cinema, with Dulquer Salman reportedly playing MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. The story revolves around some behind-the-scenes drama from a film shoot, and the superstar actor's volatile relationship with his father is also a major plot thread.
While the postponement of Kaantha's release may be disappointing for fans eager to see the film, it demonstrates a strategic approach to ensure the success of both Lokah and Kaantha. A new release date for Kaantha is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
