Kuberaa movie review: Dhanush, Nagarjuna are outstanding in this socio-drama

Dhanush is the star of the movie, giving a masterful performance in a restrained, engrossing role.

Kuberaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula, deviates significantly from his usual feel-good movies by going into gritty, emotionally charged territory. The film, which has a pan-India appeal, explores the gap between the ultra-rich and the most disadvantaged members of society via the prism of a creative scam that uses beggars as pawns in a high-stakes game.

Plot

The main character of Kuberaa is Deepak (Nagarjuna), a cool-headed and collected CBI officer who recruits beggars to act as benamis for dishonest billionaires in order to mastermind a huge scam worth Rs 1 lakh crore. One of them, Deva (Dhanush), is a physically challenged beggar who eventually turns into the system's unlikely disruptor. His emotional journey—from being taken advantage of to rebelling against the powerful—is chronicled in the movie.

Performances

Dhanush is the star of the movie, giving a masterful performance in a restrained, engrossing role. He completely inhabits his role, from emotionally charged moments to subtle body language that conveys a physical disability. Dhanush demonstrates once more why he is among the best actors in Indian cinema.

As Deepak, Nagarjuna gives a subdued yet powerful performance. He lends authenticity to the role with his subtle styling, seasoned on-screen persona, and quiet dialogue delivery. This feels like a comeback performance that reaffirms his legacy after a string of disappointing movies.

In the second half, Rashmika Mandanna plays a crucial role as Sameera. Her performance comes across as familiar rather than transformative, and even though her role has emotional weight, it lacks the depth and individuality typically found in Kammula's female characters.

As a vicious tycoon, Jim Sarbh is ideally suited to the story's corporate intrigue. Sayaji Shinde, Dalip Tahil, and Sunaina all have brief but impactful supporting parts that add to the film's close-knit community.

For Kuberaa, director and screenplay Sekhar Kammula uses a darker colour scheme and introduces the intriguing idea of how beggars are used in a billion-dollar scam. The emotional impact of Dhanush's arc and the world of the oppressed swiftly eclipses the early scenes' sparsely detailed writing.

Despite not being thoroughly examined, the beggars' metamorphosis adds dramatic value. The story is revitalised at the ideal moment by a compelling interval sequence featuring a visceral dogfight. The symbolic power of a beggar turning the tables on the wealthy is emotionally fulfilling, even though some plot twists are beyond plausibility.

Deva is followed in the second half as he learns about the dangers associated with the wealth associated with his name. The film regains its footing with powerful emotional beats, such as a poignant song sequence ("Poyiraa Mama") and a touching subplot involving a pregnant beggar, even though some parts drag.

The film ends with a moving message that links the name Kuberaa, which is connected to wealth, to a more morally and emotionally grounded definition of richness.

Technical aspects

The soundtrack by Devi Sri Prasad is a good fit for the movie. While the songs don’t stand out as individual chartbusters, their placement enhances the narrative. His background score significantly elevates emotional and dramatic scenes. Niketh Bommi captures both the grime of the streets and the polish of the corporate world with equal finesse. The visual tone is grounded and immersive, contributing significantly to the film’s realism.

The film could benefit from a tighter edit. Though the emotional payoff is strong, the nearly 3-hour runtime feels stretched in places. Backed by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas and Amigos Creations, the production quality is top-notch. Despite the absence of heavy action sequences, the emotional drama is presented with a cinematic scale and polish.

Analysis

One of the biggest strengths of Kuberaa lies in Dhanush’s brilliant transformation. He fully immerses himself into the role of a physically challenged beggar, delivering a performance that is both raw and deeply emotional. His portrayal stands as a masterclass in method acting, showcasing his ability to embody even the most complex characters with effortless authenticity.

Nagarjuna’s restrained and refined performance is another major highlight. In a departure from his larger-than-life roles, he adopts a calm, composed demeanour that lends gravitas to the film. His subtle expressions and dialogue delivery perfectly match the tone of the character, reaffirming his versatility and presence as a senior actor.

The film’s plot is refreshingly innovative, offering a unique mix of socio-political commentary and emotional drama. The core idea — beggars being used as benamis in a massive financial scam — is handled with both sensitivity and intrigue, keeping the audience emotionally invested while also exploring a never-before-seen storyline.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music and background score elevate the narrative. While the songs blend naturally into the flow of the story rather than standing out individually, the score effectively complements the emotional and dramatic moments, enhancing the overall impact of the film.

The production value of Kuberaa is top-notch. Backed by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas and Amigos Creations, the film boasts a polished visual aesthetic. From real-world locations to strong cinematography, every frame reflects the film’s scale and ambition without losing its emotional core.

Despite its strengths, Kuberaa suffers from pacing issues. The film’s nearly three-hour runtime feels excessive in parts, and a tighter edit could have made the viewing experience more crisp and engaging, particularly in the second half.

Also read: Kuberaa Twitter Review: Dhanush shines in this crime drama, audience call it outstanding

Rashmika Mandanna’s role, though pivotal, lacks the depth and uniqueness usually associated with Sekhar Kammula’s female characters. Her performance doesn’t break new ground and feels too safe, especially in a film where other characters are written with more nuance and emotional complexity.

Lastly, while the climax provides a satisfying symbolic payoff, certain cinematic liberties taken in the final stretch may feel exaggerated. The resolution, though visually powerful, stretches believability in parts, which may not work for viewers looking for a more grounded conclusion.

Also read: Kuberaa cast remuneration: How much Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nagarjuna got paid

Verdict

Kuberaa is a fresh and emotionally resonant social drama that works on multiple levels. It’s an unconventional narrative enriched by powerful performances, especially by Dhanush and Nagarjuna, and anchored by Sekhar Kammula’s earnest direction. Though the film falters slightly in pacing and detailing, its unique concept, strong emotional core, and symbolic messaging make it a worthwhile theatrical experience.

Kuberaa is not just a film about wealth—it’s about what truly makes one rich.

Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Dhanush, and Nagarjuna

Director: Sekhar Kammula

Producer: Suneil Narang

Rating: 3.5/5