‘Comeback is always bigger than setback’: Chandu Salimkumar raves about Dulquer Salmaan and ‘Kaantha’

Actor Chandu Salimkumar has heaped high praise on ‘Kaantha’ and Dulquer Salmaan’s standout performance, describing Dulquer as “the emperor of acting” and applauding his boldness in taking on scenes that demand immense courage and skill. In his heartfelt note, Chandu extended appreciation to Samudrakani, Bhagyashree Borse, Jakes Bijoy, cinematographer Danny Sanchez Lopez and writer-director Selvamani Selvaraj, celebrating the collective craft that, in his words, makes ‘Kaantha’ a truly remarkable cinematic experience.

Chandu’s heartfelt note

The comeback is always bigger than the setback.

What makes a script truly great? Is it the kind of screenplay that keeps us hooked by taking turns we never expect, or the kind that deals with things we already know — things we’ve heard countless times — yet still manages to hold us to our seats and fill us with anticipation?

Both are great scripts. But for me, it is the second kind that is the greatest. ‘Kaantha’ is exactly that kind of script — that kind of film.

Selvamani Selvaraj, you are an exceptional scriptwriter. ‘Kaantha’ is a magnificent film.

Danny Sanchez Lopez — the visuals in a film should not exist merely to please the eye; they should make the viewer feel as if there is no camera at all, that everything unfolding is real. This film demands exactly that, and it delivers. Outstanding.

Jakes Bijoy — as always. This truly is his era. Sheer explosive work.

Samudrakani — even if he simply stands still, you can feel his power. Becoming a character seems as effortless to him as plucking a flower.

Bhagyashree Borse — her eyes are haunting. Kumari is a character that demands such eyes. All the sudden changes, the shifts in the character — she has performed them beautifully.

Rana — he appears on screen, and he owns it entirely. There is a unique swagger in him here that I have never seen before. The second half belongs to him, up to a point… after which…

And finally, my bestie.

I will indeed call him the ‘Emperor of Acting’ — because I have seen what he has done.

TKM in ‘Kaantha’ — at certain moments he tells the audience, “I am about to shock you with my performance,” and when those moments unfold, the audience claps along with the impact of his acting. You need far more than ordinary skill to pull that off. For the courage he showed in performing such a scene alone, I would stand up and applaud him.

‘Kaantha’ is a magnificent film that left me completely satisfied as I walked out.

“Bestie, I’ve got one more thing to tell you. Like we always remind ourselves — They hate, we elevate. And that’s exactly what we’ll keep doing,” he concludes.