‘Kuberaa' movie review: Sekhar Kammula's brave film is imperfect, yet compelling
The film begins by acknowledging its writer-director's 25-year career, and the title card — Sekhar Kammula's Kuberaa —says it all. Kuberaa is driven by its director and his ambitious tale that does not pander to the starry aura of Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Rashmika Mandanna. Sekhar makes them play characters — men and women inhabiting a complex world driven by money, power and greed. The narrative is not perfect. Yet, it is a brave one in the realm of mainstream Telugu cinema, giving viewers plenty to chew on.
In broad terms, Kuberaa is the story of a capitalist exploiting those who are below the poverty line. How these two worlds collide makes all the difference. A multi-billionaire (Jim Sarbh as Neeraj Mitra) believes 'fame is power'. He lives in a Mumbai high-rise that has an infinity pool. At the other end of the spectrum are those who beg for alms, whom this film describes as the 'invisible', brushed aside at traffic signals and at places of worship as an inconvenience.
Kuberaa (Telugu)
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Cast: Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh
Run-time: 182 minutes
Storyline: A business tycoon's ambitious plans are under threat when an underdog's tenacity to survive poses unexpected challenges.
The first hour unravels the different worlds. A pacy opening sequence establishes the power games of the business tycoon, who does not flinch at dispensing with lives for his ambition. Jim Sarbh does not miss a beat as the cold, calculating antagonist. His ability to speak Telugu, with all the intonations, is a bonus.
Sekhar introduces his key players in a non-formulaic manner. When Dhanush, as Deva the beggar, comes into view, the audience cheers. The actor has played realistic characters that represent the oppressed sections of society in the past with admirable consistency. Here, he takes it a notch higher. The writing gives him, and his associates, enough material to work with as the narrative takes a close look at the life of beggars. Even if groomed and dressed up in the best of suits, can they grasp what is happening around them? Can they be exploited for the bare minimum needs of food and shelter? A telling sequence shows the lack of dignity in their death.
These polar opposite worlds cross paths with the help of CBI officer Deepak Tej (Nagarjuna), now behind bars for just doing his job. Nagarjuna plays a man in turmoil, one who wants to do the right thing but is manipulated to go against his conscience. Nagarjuna conveys the anguish of his character with restrained intensity. His body language and eyes convey the plight of a lion, now caged.
It takes a while for the narrative to find its rhythm, as it shifts between the characters. Niketh Bommi's cinematography and Thota Tharani's production design establish the uber-luxurious world of Neeraj Mitra, with imposing structures that dwarf those who work for him. At other times, Niketh and Tharani work in the background, staying invisible and letting the attention remain solely on the story and its characters. Substantial portions of the film unfold in real locations, from Mumbai's landmarks to the garbage dumps, and all of this adds credence to the narrative.
The narrative comes to a boil once the cards are revealed and a cat-and-mouse game for survival begins. A character's love for animals also adds depth to the proceedings.
If three characters — representing the uber rich, the middle class, and the lower strata — caught in a tangle is not enough, a fourth character brings an edge to the drama. The quiet yet effective introduction shot of Rashmika Mandanna as Sameera is worth a mention. As the film progresses, she is a revelation, blending innocence, helplessness and gentle humour.
Through the film, Sekhar questions if one man's greed and ambition should throw everyone else into a spiral. Do the oppressed not stand a chance to survive with dignity? The questions recur and there are times the writing gets preachy.
Some of the best portions are when the film is in a thriller zone with the possibility of the tables turning. There is trust, betrayal, and a quest for redemption.
However, the final portions are a tad unconvincing. It appears as though the director, who has written the film with his long-time associate Chaitanya Pingali, wanted to move away from a predictable path and instead, deliver poetic justice.
The transitions between a few sequences also feel abrupt. For instance, it takes a while to discern that four beggars have been brought in from four different corners of the country.
A subplot involving a pregnant woman (despite being convincingly portrayed) is like a sore thumb; so is a brief flashback involving a young mother. A few years ago, while remaking Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani in Telugu (as Anamika), Sekhar refrained from portraying his protagonist as a pregnant woman, arguing that he did not want to evoke audience sympathy merely by showing a pregnant woman in distress. Here, however, this aspect is played up and the character's conclusion seems contrived. A one-note sidekick of the antagonist is also annoying.
A few deft touches that work in favour of the narrative are the nuggets of Deva's childhood and his tenacity to survive. In a scene, Deva bathing in water that streams from a broken pipeline, against the words 'save water', which shows the cracks in urban infrastructure. Deva's frequent query about the day of the week and how it ties up to food and religion is a smart observation. Also chuckle-worthy is how a character promises to offer a diamond crown to the temple if his problems are solved.
Kuberaa leaves a few questions unanswered towards the end. These niggles stop the story from being wholly compelling. Music composer Devi Sri Prasad who deftly switches between the different worlds, makes us overlook a few rough edges with his score that is sometimes subdued and at other times, rousing.
Kuberaa falls short of being a gamechanger. But it is a brave film from a director who has often stepped away from the norm, and raised pertinent questions. That is ample reason to cheer.
Kuberaa is currently running in theatres
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dhanush's Kuberaa roars with over US $ 900,000 collection in North America
Dhanush's 'Kubera,' also starring Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna, has premiered strongly in North America, earning over USD 505,468. Early Day 1 shows added another USD 400K, pushing the total gross to over USD 900K. The film is on track to surpass USD 1 million on its opening day, marking a significant overseas success for Dhanush. Dhanush 's latest release Kubera is off to a flying start at the North American box office. The action-packed drama, directed by Sekhar Kammula and also starring Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna , has struck a chord with overseas audiences, especially in the United States and Canada, where it posted impressive numbers from its premiere and opening day morning shows. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' According to distributor Prathyangira Cinemas, Kubera minted a solid USD 505,468 from its premiere shows alone in North America. The film opened across hundreds of locations on June 20, with fans of Dhanush, Nagarjuna and Telugu cinema turning up in large numbers for the early screenings. The strong advance bookings had already hinted at a promising start, and the premiere numbers confirmed that the film had lived up to expectations. But the momentum didn't stop there. As of 9:15 AM IST on its opening day, Kubera had added another USD 400K from early Day 1 shows across North America. This takes the film's total North America gross to over USD 900K ( Rs 7.80 crore) within a very short span, putting it well on track to breach the coveted USD 1 million mark by the end of its first day. This performance is particularly significant for Dhanush, who enjoys a loyal fan following in the overseas market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Kuberaa marks his most substantial North American start to date, bolstered by the presence of Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna, both of whom are popular names in the Telugu diaspora. Trade analysts predict that if this momentum holds through the evening and weekend shows, Kubera could easily secure a position among the top-grossing South Indian films in North America for 2025. The positive word-of-mouth and solid early audience feedback suggest that the film is not just a star vehicle, but a well-received entertainer across markets. With over USD 900K already in the bag, Kuberaa is proving to be a major overseas winner for Dhanush and the team. Dhanush is all set to retrun to Hindi cinema with Aanand L Rai after Raanjhana and Atrangi Re. The film has been titled Tere Ishk Mein where Kriti Sanon is paired opposite him.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kuberaa box office collection day 1: Dhanush's crime drama opens well, earns Rs 13 crore
Kuberaa box office collection day 1: Kuberaa, which hit the screens on June 20, opened to a good response at the box office. Moreover, it has also managed to impress most critics. This is Dhanush's second straight Telugu film after Sir. Kuberaa has also been shot in Tamil. Kuberaa shines on day 1 Dhanush is in the limelight because of his latest film Kuberaa. The crime drama opened in theatres yesterday amid fanfare. According to Sacnilk, it has taken a good start at the Indian box office and earned Rs 13 crore (nett) on the first day. This essentially means that it has opened in the same range as Raayan, Dhanush's last major release. The actioner, which was released in theatres in 2024, made Rs 13.65 crore on its first day. It then went on to emerge as a blockbuster. Kuberaa has received positive reviews with critics lauding the performances and the screenplay. The healthy word-of-mouth is expected to help it fare well over the weekend. About Kuberaa Kuberaa is a crime drama directed by Sekar Kammula. The director is best known for his work on films like Fidaa and Leader. Kuberaa centres on the life of a beggar who undergoes a transformation after his stellar rise in the world of crime. The flick stars Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna. Devi Sri Prasad serves as the music director.
India.com
39 minutes ago
- India.com
This 2022 crime thriller with 8 IMDb rating will keep you glued to your screen, climax will blow your mind, it is.., leads are...
This 2022 crime thriller with 8 IMDb rating will keep you glued to your screen, climax will blow your mind, it is.., leads are... Are you also one of those people who love the thrill of seeing a crime mystery unfold, hooked on what's coming next, and also staying on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists and turns? Then you are at the right place. With the overflowing content on OTT that has straight jump cuts and a predictable storyline, we have a mind-boggling murder mystery that's layered, has a gripping plot, and an intense performance. This suspenseful and haunting thriller will linger long after the credits roll and make you scream in the dark. The series that we are talking about is none other than Vadhandhi: The Fable of Velonie. This Tamil language series is divided into 8 parts and was released in the year 2022. The meaning of the word 'Vadhandhi' itself means 'rumour', and that's what the plot of the film explores. The story revolves around a young girl named Veloni, whose body is found under suspicious circumstances. The police hunt for the killer, and from there, the story dives into finding out the truth. Some are assumptions, hidden truths, and the rest are whispers. As the story progresses. The film features impeccable performers like Laila, M. Nassar, Vivek Prasanna, and Smruthi Venkat. Each character is seen delivering a layered and intense performance, keeping the audience guessing on the truth. The policeman himself will be seen getting trapped in a false trap. The compelling story will have everyone wondering who the real culprit is. This thriller murder mystery will also touch emotional chords and is deeply engaging. With an IMDb rating of 8, this is available in various languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil, making it accessible to a wider audience. From the first frame to the last frame of the series, it will keep your eyes glued to your screen. So, if you are ready to binge-watch a series that catches you off guard, has you biting your nails, and also hits a nerve, then Vadhandhi is a must-watch for you.
