‘Kubera’ Review: Sekhar Kammula’s Social Thriller Shines with Dhanush and Nagarjuna’s Stellar Performances
:National Award-winning director Sekhar Kammula’s latest offering, Kubera, hit theaters worldwide on June 20, 2025, garnering widespread positive reviews and a strong opening at the box office. Starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, this pan-India social thriller has made an impressive mark, collecting an estimated gross of over ₹30 crore on its opening day, as officially announced by the film’s team. In North America, the movie has already grossed $1.3 million, receiving exceptional audience reception.
Plot: Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s Dharavi, Kubera revolves around the conflict between a beggar, Deva (Dhanush), and an ultra-wealthy businessman, Neeraj Mitra (Jim Sarbh). Neeraj, having discovered a rare oil reserve in the Bay of Bengal, strikes a clandestine deal to leverage it for wealth, influence, and political control. As part of this scheme, he uses beggars for money laundering through a disgraced ex-CBI officer, Deepak (Nagarjuna). Deva, one of these beggars, survives an attempt on his life and, with the help of Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna), fights for justice. The narrative weaves a gripping tale of money, power, morality, and humanity.
Performances: Dhanush delivers a tour-de-force performance as Deva, seamlessly transitioning from a vulnerable beggar to a key player in a money-laundering racket. His physical and emotional transformation showcases his acting prowess. Nagarjuna, as the principled yet trapped CBI officer Deepak, impresses with his restrained and nuanced performance. Rashmika Mandanna brings natural charm to Sameera, adding light-hearted humor and emotional depth through her chemistry with Dhanush. Jim Sarbh, as the menacing antagonist, exudes quiet menace, leaving a lasting impact.
Technical Aspects: Niketh Bommi’s cinematography lends visual grandeur to the film, capturing diverse settings from the gritty lanes of Dharavi to the serene Tirupati temple with finesse. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score amplifies the emotional intensity, while songs like “Poyira Mama” and “Anaganaga Katha” are crowd-pleasers. Thota Tharani’s production design and Karthik Srinivas’ editing contribute to the film’s rich aesthetic appeal.
Analysis: Kubera marks a departure from Sekhar Kammula’s signature romantic dramas, emerging as a thought-provoking social thriller. It succeeds in raising uncomfortable questions about wealth, power, and morality. However, the film’s runtime, exceeding three hours, and a slightly sluggish first half have drawn criticism for feeling stretched. Addressing these concerns at a press meet on Saturday, Sekhar Kammula defended the length, stating, “The runtime is necessary to tell the story as intended. Every scene serves the narrative’s purpose.”
Box Office Performance: With a ₹30 crore gross on day one and a 57.36% occupancy in Telugu states, Kubera has started strong. By Saturday, it amassed an estimated ₹30.75 crore net in two days. Positive word-of-mouth is likely to boost its weekend collections, though it faces competition from Sitara Zameen Par in the Hindi market.
Verdict: Kubera transcends the boundaries of a typical commercial film, standing out as a social drama that challenges societal inequalities and power misuse. Dhanush and Nagarjuna’s exceptional performances, Sekhar Kammula’s layered storytelling, and Devi Sri Prasad’s music make it a compelling watch. Despite minor pacing issues and a rushed climax, Kubera is a must-watch for its thought-provoking narrative. Rating: 3.5/5
*The *Kubera* team expressed gratitude to audiences for their overwhelming love and support.*
