Kuberaa Review: Kuberaa is a dramatic departure in tone for highly regarded director Sekhar Kammula, whose films are famed for their emotionally charged, socially conscious storytelling. Featuring an all-star cast headlined by Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna, the movie confronts issues of power, capitalism, morality, and ambition with bold intensity and near-Shakespearean ferocity.
Kuberaa Review
Release Date: 20 June 2025
Languages: Telugu, Tamil, Hindi (Dubbed in Malayalam, Kannada)
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Starring: Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Rashmika Mandanna
Genre: Social Thriller / Action Drama
Runtime: 3 hours 13 minutes
Budget: ₹120 Crore
Streaming Platform (Post-Theatrical): Amazon Prime Video
Story Overview
- The movie traces Deva (Dhanush), a slum boy who becomes an underworld kingpin. Along with accumulating wealth, power, and clout, he gets ensnared in moral complications as well as materialistic desires. His ascent is matched by the disintegration of his humaneness.
- Supporting players such as Rashmika’s journalist (who asks questions about the morality of power) and Nagarjuna’s mysterious political operator lend richness, forcing Deva to confront the price of his metamorphosis.
- This is not merely a gangster tale. It’s an observation on the way power corrupts, on how money can bury compassion, and on how decisions shape character.
Performances
1. Dhanush as Deva
Dhanush delivers a tour-de-force performance—transforming from a desperate youth to a ruthless yet conflicted mogul. His body language, rage, and emotional breakdowns are magnetic. Critics are calling it his career-best performance and a strong contender for a National Award.
2. Nagarjuna Akkineni
Nagarjuna plays a morally grey character who operates in political shadows. He balances charisma and ruthlessness, offering a complex portrayal that blurs the lines between good and evil.
3. Rashmika Mandanna
Rashmika is a journalist and social activist with the moral compass of the narrative. She’s not just a romantic interest—she’s central to the ideological struggle, and her acting is both fierce and emotionally rooted.
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Direction, Writing & Themes
Director Sekhar Kammula reimagines himself with Kuberaa. A master of slice-of-life films such as Anand and Fidaa, he explores the seedy side of capitalism in this one, where poverty, crime, and the desire for status develop into building empires.
Tightly scripted, the dialogue is full of metaphor, irony, and tension. Each scene serves a purpose—some understated, some explosive. The message is fearless, never preachy.
Key Themes:
- Moral ambiguity in wealth-building
- The personal cost of ambition
- Corruption of power in Indian society
- Capitalism vs. conscience
Music & Technical Aspects
- Music by Devi Sri Prasad (DSP): A haunting, gritty soundtrack raises the film’s dark moments. The background score is intense and richly layered.
- Cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy: Visuals are breathtaking—rain-swept slums, sleek skyscrapers, and neon-lit night scenes mirror Deva’s dual world.
- Art Direction by Thota Tharani: Realistic sets and sharp detail create authenticity and cinematic gravitas.
- Editing by Karthika Srinivas: Even with the lengthy runtime, the editing is gripping and suspenseful.
What Works
1. Dhanush’s Phenomenal Acting
2. Strong supporting cast
3. Realistic portrayal of systemic corruption
4. A bold script blending crime with philosophy
5. High production values and engaging visuals
What Could Have Been Improved
1. Slow pacing may not be for fans looking for high-octane action
2. Themes may turn out to be too heavy for some casual fans
3. A tighter edit in the second half could have strangled the narrative tighter
Audience & Social Media Hype
- Post-release, #Kuberaa was trending on social media. Several complimented its gritty storytelling, strong performances, and emotional heft. Fans hailed it as a “blockbuster with brains.”
- Audiences and critics are both in admiration of Sekhar Kammula for breaking all rules, with several hailing it as “one of the best Pan-Indian films of 2025.”
Kuberaa box office collection & Kuberaa OTT releaseProspects
With a whopping ₹120 crore budget, Kuberaa boasted big expectations. Fortunately, it recovered a significant amount through pre-release business (OTT and satellite rights). Its multilingual release in all of India, combined with Amazon Prime’s post-theatrical rights, guarantees broad reach and firm digital presence.
Last Verdict: Watch or Skip?
If you like dark, thought-evoking thrillers with superlative performances and strong messages, Kuberaa is a must-see. It’s not a masala entertainer—it’s a cinematic experience that makes you think.
Rating: 4/5
