What’s it about?
Neeraj (Jim Sarbh), one of India’s top businessmen, sets his sights on a newly discovered oil field owned by the Indian government. He proposes a massive bribe of Rs1 lakh each to a group of politicians, bureaucrats, and mediamen in exchange for the rights to the oil field. Half the amount will be paid in cash, and the rest routed through offshore companies.
To handle the complex money laundering operation, Neeraj turns to Deepak (Nagarjuna), a sincere CBI officer who was wrongly convicted in a previous case. Deepak, now disillusioned, comes up with an unusual idea: create benami accounts using beggars as fronts. Neeraj’s team picks four beggars for the job. One of them is Deva (Dhanush), a street beggar in Tirupati who knows nothing beyond surviving through alms.
What happens when Deva, a man untouched by the ways of the corrupt world, steps into this dangerous web? What challenges await him and the others?
Analysis
“Kuberaa” marks a significant stylistic shift for director Sekhar Kammula, diverging sharply from his trademark narrative approach. In his earlier films, even those that dealt with serious social issues—like politics in “Leader” or caste discrimination and sexual abuse in “Love Story”—romantic subplots remained central. In contrast, “Kuberaa” is completely devoid of romance and unfolds as a gritty crime drama. Both thematically and in terms of presentation, “Kammula” steps out of his zone.
At its core, “Kuberaa” is a layered story that explores political corruption, the exploitation of national resources by corporate powers, large-scale money laundering, and the marginalized lives of those society often overlooks.
By introducing beggars as benamis in a high-stakes laundering scheme, Kammula brings a refreshingly original concept to the plot. This inventive premise also allows the film to begin with the tone and tension of a suspenseful thriller.
But as has been the case with some of his previous films, Sekhar Kammula falters in the crucial segment (the third act). In his attempt to add more layers and infuse a philosophical touch, he ends up stretching the narrative beyond necessity. The 180-minute runtime feels overly heavy, especially due to the repetitive portions in the post-interval segments.
At one point, it even feels like the film has reached its conclusion—only for it to drag on for another 15 minutes. The ‘chaavu song’ also feels unnecessary and adds little to the overall impact.
Dhanush once again proves why he’s a National Award-winning actor. As a beggar, he doesn’t just act—he becomes the character. His innocence shine through, making him the emotional anchor of the film. Nagarjuna Akkineni surprises with a refreshing departure from his usual image. As an officer weighed down by circumstances, he brings sincerity and quiet strength to the screen. This understated transformation works in his favor.
Rashmika Mandanna brings charm and lightness to her scenes, but the role doesn’t quite match her star power. Jim Sarbh, on the other hand, is excellent as the sharp and calculating business tycoon.
The dialogues, written by Sekhar Kammula and Chaitanya Pingali, are excellent. Several lines strike a deep emotional chord. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score is another major asset, effectively elevating the mood at key moments. However, the film lacks memorable, lilting songs. The standout track, “Naa Koduka,” is beautifully written and sung with emotion, but unfortunately, it appears at an ill-suited point in the narrative.
The cinematography is well-executed, with the depiction of Mumbai adding a layer of authenticity to the story. Thota Tharani’s production design is another highlight, enhancing the film’s visual appeal.
On the downside, the editing is a major letdown—the pacing is sluggish, and the runtime feels excruciatingly long.
As a writer, Sekhar Kammula has come up with a layered writing and as a director he has shown ambition in filming some sequences. But by the end of the film, some of his ideas didn’t really come through effectively. The climax sequences are poorly handled.
Bottom-line: “Kuberaa” has a strong premise and an intriguing concept, but it culminates in a surprisingly straightforward payoff. The film starts off on a fresh note, presenting the money-laundering conflict in an engaging manner. However, its nearly 180-minute runtime causes the narrative to lose momentum along the way. That said, Dhanush’s compelling performance and Nagarjuna’s convincing portrayal stand out and hold the film together. It could have been far more impactful with tighter editing and a better climax.
Rating: 3/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Kuberaa
Cast: Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, Sunaina Yella, and others
Writer: Chaitanya Pingali
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Production Design: Thota Tharani
Cinematographer: Niketh Bommi
Editor: Karthika Srinivas R
Co-Writer: Chaithanya Pingali
Action Director: ‘Stunts’ Sree
Producers: Suniel Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Release Date:June 20, 2025
