Dulquer Salmaan has always carried himself with a blend of calm confidence and quiet vulnerability, but every now and then he lets people see the weight that comes with being one of the most talked-about stars of his generation.
During the promotions of his upcoming film Kaantha, the actor opened up about something most performers rarely admit publicly – the fear of criticism and the nagging doubt it can create.
In a conversation with Gulte Pro, Dulquer revealed that negative reactions to his performances still affect him more than people might assume.
He first mentioned that his character in the film is named Nadity Chakravarthy, and while talking about the emotional layers of the role, he slipped into something more personal.
“I don’t believe I am a great actor. There is always a percentage of the audience who keep telling me that I can’t act. There will be some criticism, I keep reading. So in my head, am I not good? This fear is there,” he said.
That honesty is rare, especially from someone whose performances in films like Charlie, Sita Ramam, Kurup, and Bangalore Days have earned massive praise.
Dulquer didn’t shy away from acknowledging how those comments linger long after the applause fades.
He explained that this constant evaluation has shaped the way he chooses his projects. Instead of playing safe, he pushes himself toward roles that intimidate him. He admits that’s the only way to silence the internal voice that asks if he’s good enough.
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In the same interview, he spoke about his need to keep challenging himself. “To play someone who is known as a phenomenal actor… can I pull it off? Nobody should watch the film and feel like somebody else should have done it,” he said. That’s the standard he holds himself to every time he steps in front of the camera.
Kaantha, which marks another dramatic turn for Dulquer, has already drawn attention for a different reason. The film is believed to be a biopic on MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the first superstar of Tamil cinema. But the makers haven’t confirmed it officially. The project recently ran into controversy when Bhagavathar’s grandson, B Thiagarajan, filed a complaint in a Chennai court seeking to halt the release. He alleged that the movie portrays the legendary actor-musician with “loose morals” and claimed that the depiction is “false and defamatory,” harming the late icon’s legacy.
Despite the legal trouble, the anticipation around the film continues to build. The trailer received strong appreciation, and the cast includes names like Rashmika Mandanna, Samuthirakani, Bhagyashri Borse and Rana Daggubati. Kaantha is set to hit theatres on November 14, and Dulquer’s candid reflections have added a surprising emotional layer to its release.
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