Just days before hitting the theatres, Dulquer Salmaan’s much-awaited Tamil period drama has hit an unexpected legal hurdle. The film which became the talk of the town after the teaser dropped stunning visuals in 1950s settings and a gripping tone, is now facing a courtroom battle after a petition was filed against it.
The legal petition claims that the film distorts the life of a legendary actor-musician M.K. Bhagavathar. The movie which was expected to be Dulquer Salmaan’s next big triumph has suddenly turned into a big controversy.
The Petition That Sparked The Controversy
On November 11, 2025, B. Thiagarajan, the grandson of legendary Tamil actor M.K. Thayagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) filed a petition in the Chennai Civil Court asking for halting the release of Kaantha.
According to the reports, Thaigarajan pleaded to the court that ‘Kaantha’ portrays his grandfather “in a false, degrading and defamatory personality”. This is violating his family’s right and tarnishing MKT’s legacy.
Thaigarajan’s petition also claims that even though the movie is being presented as a work of fiction, it highly resembles the actor as a man of ‘loose morals’ who died in poverty, blindness and disgrace. This has hurt the sentiments of the family members and are inaccurate and deeply disrespectful towards the late actor who is remembered for his devotion and religious faith.
Who was M.K. Thayagaraja Bhagavathar?
Those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, MKT was one of the earliest icons of Tamil cinema who ruled the screen during 1930s and 1940s with blockbusters like Haridas and Ambikapathi. He was famous for blending Carnatic music with his emotional depth.
His career took a dramatic turn in the late 1940s, after he was accused of a high-profile murder case but was later acquitted. Despite the case, MKT remains a respected figure in Tamil’s cultural history.
The Maker’s Response
Kaantha, according to the team, is a fictional story and not a biopic. The movie is directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, starring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role. It is jointly produced by Wayfrarer Films and Circle of Life Studios, with a runtime of approximately 163 minutes.
The team claims that the movie draws only ‘creative inspiration’ from historical figures and is not based on anyone’s life. As of now, the production team has not released any official statement in defense of the lawsuit.
They continue to promote the fim for its release on November 14. The film has received a U/A certificate and has cleared censorship and formalities. However, the ongoing legal proceedings have created an uncertainty over whether the release will go ahead as planned or not.
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Possible short-term outcomes
Under Section 499/500 of the Indian Penal Code, the heirs or close relatives may take legal action against anyone who defames their ancestors or tries to portray a false image.
As defamation can be both civil and criminal offence, legal experts have suggested three possible outcomes of the case:
- The court could grant a temporary stay halting the release until hearings conclude.
- It may allow the release with conditions, such as disclaimers or edits clarifying the film’s fictional nature.
- The dispute could end in a settlement, with the makers offering a private apology or onscreen clarification.
What’s next?
The official team has not responded anything about the lawsuit yet but Salmaan in his interviews kept labelling the film as a ‘Fictional story.’ The court’s decision will determine Kaantha’s fate in the coming days. The lawsuit has ensured that the movie will be remembered more than its visual and performances.
The controversy has given rise to several debates on the internet regarding what responsibilities a filmmaker has to carry while drawing inspiration from real figures. For now, Dulquer Salmaan’s film stands at a critical and delicate position in the intersection of art, legacy and legal boundaries.
Written by: Supriya