Kuberaa
కుబేర
A ruthless billionaire, Neeraj, uses beggars as benamis to launder money, with the help of a disgraced civil submit servant, Deepak. One of the beggars, Deva, escapes with ₹10,000 crores and becomes the target of a deadly manhunt. He meets Sameera, who joins him in his mission to use the money to uplift society's poor. With Deepak's help, Deva fights back.
Review
In 'Kuberaa,' director Sekhar Kammula masterfully blends high-stakes thriller with poignant social drama, creating a cinematic experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. The film opens with a chilling premise: the ultra-wealthy Neeraj (Jim Sarbh) exploiting society's most invisible—beggars—as pawns in a vast money-laundering scheme. When the gentle but resilient beggar Deva (Dhanush) escapes with a staggering ₹10,000 crores, the stage is set for a relentless cat-and-mouse chase. However, 'Kuberaa' transcends a simple heist narrative. It evolves into a compelling exploration of morality, as Deva, aided by the idealistic Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna) and the guilt-ridden bureaucrat Deepak (Nagarjuna), decides to weaponize the stolen wealth for societal good. The 185-minute runtime is ambitious, but Kammula uses it to build a detailed world where the lines between villain and hero are fascinatingly blurred. The cinematography is stark and evocative, contrasting the cold, sterile opulence of Neeraj's world with the vibrant, chaotic energy of the streets. While the pacing sags slightly in the second act, the film's core—a battle for the soul of capital—remains utterly gripping.
Pros
- ✓Dhanush delivers a career-defining performance, portraying Deva's transformation from a timid victim to a determined revolutionary with breathtaking nuance and physicality.
- ✓Sekhar Kammula's direction is confident and socially conscious, seamlessly weaving thrilling set-pieces with hard-hitting commentary on wealth disparity and systemic corruption.
- ✓The dynamic between the three leads—Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika—provides the film's emotional core, with their evolving alliance feeling authentic and deeply moving.
- ✓Jim Sarbh is brilliantly menacing as the antagonist Neeraj, creating a villain who is intellectually formidable and chillingly pragmatic, not merely a caricature of greed.
Cons
- ✗The film's runtime feels excessive at 185 minutes; a tighter edit, particularly in the mid-section focusing on the money's redistribution, would have improved pacing.
- ✗While Rashmika Mandanna is compelling, her character Sameera's backstory and motivations are slightly underdeveloped compared to the male leads.
- ✗The final act, though satisfying, leans into conventional thriller tropes that feel somewhat predictable compared to the novel complexity of the first two acts.
'Kuberaa' is a significant, thought-provoking film that succeeds as both a sleek corporate thriller and a powerful social drama. It doesn't just entertain; it challenges the audience to consider the very nature of wealth and justice. Dhanush's phenomenal performance anchors the film, while Sekhar Kammula's vision ensures the story's high-concept premise is grounded in human emotion and ethical dilemma. Despite some pacing issues and a slightly formulaic climax, the film's strengths are overwhelming. It is a bold, well-crafted piece of cinema that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. For viewers seeking substance with their style, 'Kuberaa' is a highly rewarding watch that proves commercial Indian cinema can tackle complex themes without sacrificing narrative punch or emotional depth.
🎯 Who Should Watch
Fans of socio-political thrillers, admirers of strong character-driven dramas, and viewers who enjoy films that blend action with substantive social commentary. Audiences of Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Sekhar Kammula will find much to appreciate.
⭐ Standout Elements
The film's standout element is its potent central conceit—the ultimate Robin Hood story set against the brutal machinery of modern financial crime. This is elevated by Dhanush's transformative performance and Kammula's skillful balancing of tense thriller mechanics with a genuinely heartfelt mission to explore redemption and social responsibility.
🎬 Overall Impact
A must-watch film that delivers on both entertainment and emotional depth.
📽️ This film represents exceptional filmmaking that deserves your attention.
