In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India’s Anupama Chopra, actors and producers Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati open up about their upcoming period drama “Kaantha,” directed by Selvamani Selvaraj. The film, set in 1950s Madras and inspired by the life of Tamil cinema’s first superstar M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, has been seven years in the making, with Dulquer hearing about it first in 2018-19 and both actors serving as producers through their respective companies, Wayfarer Films and Spirit Media. The duo discusses the marathon six-hour narration sessions with Selvamani, their initial hesitations, and the unique challenges of creating a film-within-a-film that captures the heightened acting style of that era.
The conversation reveals fascinating insights into their creative process, from the fights and delays that marked the production to their shared philosophy as producers who prioritize storytelling over commercial formulas. Dulquer reflects on his successful 2024 film “Lucky Baskhar” and shares his eclectic list of favorite films including “Good Will Hunting,” “A Good Year,” and “Bangalore Days,” while Rana discusses lessons learned from director S.S. Rajamouli during the five-year journey of making “Baahubali.” Both actors emphasize their commitment to creating original, authentic cinema that respects audience intelligence, with Rana playing a no-nonsense cop named Phoenix whose character was discovered on set, and Dulquer portraying the complex role of a 1950s superstar navigating fame, ego, and betrayal.
00:00 Introduction with Dulquer and Rana
04:30 Six-hour narration meetings with Selvamani
09:00 Acting in film within film
11:50 Creating Phoenix’s character on set
16:00 Relearning filmmaking for Kaantha
20:00 Fame hasn’t corrupted them
24:30 Views on Mumbai pap culture
29:30 Producer philosophies and ambitions
34:00 Intent over commercial formulas
39:20 IMDb Watchlist Segment
#Kaantha #DulquerSalmaan #RanaDaggubati
Brotherhood ❤❤❤❤❤
I feel so bad for them . I was listening to the interviews for this movie . Same script they have to repeat everywhere
24:37 that’s why Rana everyone loves you!
What he said is absolutely right. There are so many other interesting and important things in life and world besides cinema. Even Fahad Fasil said same thing during an interview. Cinema is just one thing.
DQ IS NOT SOMEBODY NEPO BUT GOOD ACTOR❤
THIS MOVIE IS A PROOF MAN
WHO EVER DISAGREE ACT AND PROOF🎉🎉🎉
Rana degupathy have resemblence with rajesh aliyan rama ammayieez brother who is a singer and a sculpterur
Dq is a superstar
I have loved all movies of Dulquer – especially the ones like Ustaad Hotel or even OK Kanmani. I think it’s because it is Dulquer I have watched them <3
Host ki toh gaand jal gyi hogi. , the most baised host ever
Kaantha is what I’d call a “cinema”