Kuberaa Movie Review: Dhanush and Nagarjuna Shine in This Emotionally Charged Social Drama
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Cast: Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, Dalip Tahil, Sayaji Shinde & others
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: Niketh Bommireddy
Editing: Karthika Srinivas
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Introduction:
Kuberaa marks the long-anticipated collaboration between the critically acclaimed actor Dhanush and director Sekhar Kammula. Adding to the star power, Nagarjuna plays a crucial role in this socially relevant tale. Let’s dive into what works—and what doesn’t—in this emotionally layered drama.
Plot Summary:
Neeraj Mitra (Jim Sarbh), a wealthy tycoon, stumbles upon an undiscovered oil reserve deep in the Bay of Bengal. Driven by greed and political ambition, he orchestrates a covert operation with support from powerful insiders. To execute this, he enlists Deepak (Nagarjuna), a once-principled CBI officer now imprisoned for resisting corruption. Left with no other option, Deepak joins the plan and begins assembling a group of overlooked beggars for the job.
Among them is Deva (Dhanush), an innocent man unaware of the dangerous plot he’s now a part of. Once Deva realizes he’s expendable, he escapes—triggering a nationwide chase. Along his journey, he crosses paths with Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna), and their relationship brings emotional depth to this tense narrative.
As the hunt intensifies and the secrets start to unfold, Kuberaa explores the human cost of greed and the strength it takes to resist becoming a pawn in someone else’s game.
What Works:
- Dhanush is nothing short of mesmerizing. He brings life to Deva with sincerity and emotional vulnerability. This performance ranks among his most heartfelt to date.
- Nagarjuna delivers a power-packed portrayal of Deepak, a man trapped between moral conviction and survival. His inner struggle adds an extra dimension to the character, making him more than just a typical grey-shaded player.
- Jim Sarbh, though appearing sparingly, makes his presence felt with a composed and chilling performance. His calm exterior conceals a ruthless core, and it works effectively in the narrative.
- The chemistry between Dhanush and Rashmika offers brief but refreshing relief from the film’s heavier moments. Their interactions bring warmth and charm.
- The last 30 minutes of the film are particularly gripping. With emotionally high stakes and dramatic tension, Sekhar Kammula brings it all together with finesse in the pre-climax and climax.
What Doesn’t Work:
- The first half moves at a slow pace. World-building is thorough, but at the cost of momentum. Some scenes feel like they linger longer than necessary.
- Repetition in certain parts of the story could have been avoided with sharper editing. Trimming 15–20 minutes could’ve made a big difference.
- The evolving relationship between Deepak and Deva feels underdeveloped. A deeper emotional connection would’ve added more gravity to their arc.
- Rashmika’s role is likeable, but not crucial to the plot. She deserved a more pivotal presence in the story.
Technical Aspects:
- Direction: Sekhar Kammula takes a bold step outside his comfort zone and handles the complex subject with maturity and nuance. He presents morally flawed characters without judgment, which adds authenticity.
- Cinematography: Niketh Bommireddy paints both the underworld of the streets and the scale of the oil fields with striking visuals.
- Editing: Karthika Srinivas delivers a fairly good job, but a tighter runtime would’ve improved the experience significantly.
- Music & Score: Devi Sri Prasad enhances the drama with his subtle background score that heightens the emotional beats without being intrusive.
- Production Design: The detailing, from makeup to costumes to set pieces, gives the world of Kuberaa a raw, grounded feel.
Final Verdict:
Kuberaa is a thoughtful, socially aware film with a strong emotional core. Dhanush leads from the front with a brilliant performance, supported gracefully by Nagarjuna and Jim Sarbh. While the film struggles with pacing in the early portions and underutilizes some characters, it ultimately redeems itself with a gripping finish and meaningful themes.
If you enjoy emotionally resonant stories that reflect real-world issues, Kuberaa is worth a watch. It’s not your regular commercial fare—but its message, performances, and heart make it stand apart.
Bottom Line:
Kuberaa isn’t flawless, but it’s deeply heartfelt — a slow burn that rewards patient viewers with sincerity, relevance, and powerful acting.
