Kuberaa Review

"Kubera" Dhanush Elevates Kubera into a Crown Jewel of Performance

Produced by Sri Venkateswara Cinemas and Amigos Creations, Kubera is directed by Sekhar Kammula and stars Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, Nagarjuna, Bhagyaraj, Jim Sarbh, and others.

The story revolves around industrialist Neeraj (Jim Sarbh), who illegally privatizes a central government gas contract through corruption with the support of a minister. To execute this scam, bribes totaling ?1 lakh crore need to be distributed discreetly among officials — without leaving any evidence. For this, they need faceless, nameless individuals with no ties to anyone.

Meanwhile, Deepak (Nagarjuna), an Income Tax officer wrongly accused and imprisoned for a fabricated crime, is seen as the perfect person to handle this operation. The plan involves using beggars, as they can go unnoticed. Among them is Deva (Dhanush). How this group facilitates the massive bribe exchange, what role Deva plays, and what actions Deepak takes form the crux of the story.

Dhanush transforms completely into an authentic beggar — his innocent smile, his guileless expressions, and the helplessness in his eyes, coupled with his character’s crippled hand, effortlessly win the audience’s sympathy. There is no doubt that his performance will fetch him awards. His lines — like circling Deepak calling out “Deepak sir! Deepak sir!” or frustrating Rashmika’s character with “Madam, I need to earn to survive, madam” — showcase his brilliance in many scenes.

Nagarjuna’s portrayal keeps the audience guessing: Is he good? Is he bad? Or just a realist? His character is crafted in a way that forces us to see things through Deva’s eyes, and Nagarjuna handles it superbly. The only gripe — why was Sekhar’s usual trusted dubbing artist for Nagarjuna missing this time? It remains a mystery.

Rashmika’s role feels somewhat unnecessary; it makes one wonder whether actors like Ramesh Thilak, Yogi Babu, or Karunakaran might have served the plot better without diverting focus. It seems her inclusion demanded additional backstory and scenes that weren’t really needed. That said, she delivers her part efficiently. Neeraj, Sayaji Shinde, and Sunainaa also contribute solidly, doing justice to their characters.

Cinematographer Niketh Bommi Reddy beautifully contrasts the faces of Tirupati and Mumbai — from the grandeur of temple sanctums and palatial buildings to the filth of garbage dumps and the pitiful lives of beggars. Visually, the film is outstanding.

Editor Karthika Srinivas faced a formidable challenge — even after sharp cuts, the film runs for 3 hours and 5 minutes. Repetitive dialogues like “Deepak sir” and the prolonged scenes of Deva’s wanderings induce fatigue; this could have been tightened. Devi Sri Prasad’s music, though expected to elevate the film to pan-Indian levels, falls short of creating a trend, except for the song Poi Va. However, the background score is impressive.

One can’t help but wonder — if this script had gone to Vijay Antony, would it have been Pichaikkaran 3 in his style? The screenplay had all the elements for it. Still, Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and the other iconic actors give the film a grand national identity.

On the flip side, the unrelenting murders, the rampant corruption, and the indifference of authorities to such massive crimes stretch logic. Especially the scene where crores of rupees are dumped in front of a tycoon’s office — in reality, that would have been national news, but the film casually skips ahead. Sekhar Kammula could have paid more attention to these logical gaps.

Overall, Kubera stands as a socially conscious film that highlights how privatization of government industries often comes with layers of corruption, how the innocent are caught in its web, and how even beggars are citizens of this nation who deserve dignity.