Kuberaa (2025) Movie Review: Dhanush & Nagarjuna Shine in a Gritty Crime Thriller by Sekhar Kammula

🎬 Kuberaa (2025) – A Tollywood Thriller with Depth

Introduction

Kuberaa is a captivating crime-drama thriller directed by Sekhar Kammula, known for his deeply human storytelling . Released globally on 20 June 2025, this bilingual Telugu–Tamil venture stars Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh.

🧠 Basic Info

Director & Writer: Sekhar Kammula (co‑written by Chaithanya Pingali)
Producers: Suniel Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, Ajay Kaikala
Cast:
- Dhanush as Deva, a beggar thrust into a dangerous underworld
- Nagarjuna Akkineni as Deepak, a conflicted CBI officer
- Rashmika Mandanna as Sameera, Deva’s ally and love interest
- Jim Sarbh as Neeraj Mitra, the morally bankrupt businessman
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Technical Crew: Cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy; Editing by Karthika Srinivas; Production design by Thota Tharani
Runtime: Approx. 193 minutes (Telugu), 184 minutes (Tamil)
Budget: ₹120–125 crore

📖 Plot Overview

At its core, Kuberaa explores greed, ambition, and moral compromise:

Neeraj, a powerful tycoon, discovers an oil reserve and conspires with politicians for control.
He blackmails Deepak, an ex‑CBI officer, into the operation.
A group of beggars—led by Deva—become pawns in executing the plan.
Deva’s journey from naivety to survival becomes the emotional backbone. Along the way, he meets Sameera, forging loyalty and love amidst chaos .

💡 Why Kuberaa Hits Home

Social commentary: The film starkly evokes wealth disparity—from Dharavi streets to high-rise towers .
Character arcs: Viewers connect with the transformation of Deva and Deepak, making their dilemmas deeply compelling.
Performances:
- Dhanush committed deeply—he even begged for real in Tirupati to prepare - delivering what many call a career-best performance.
- Nagarjuna’s subtle portrayal adds gravitas .
- Rashmika and Jim Sarbh provide strong support.

🎭 Highlights & Performances

Dhanush (Deva): A gripping, authentic portrayal of a common man’s struggle.
Nagarjuna (Deepak): Emotive, restrained, and intense—earning praise from critics .
Rashmika Mandanna: Offers emotional depth, though some felt her character needed more screen time .
Jim Sarbh: A chilling antagonist.
Crew Excellence: The film’s tight screenplay, visually rich depiction of Mumbai life, and Devi Sri Prasad’s stirring background score shine throughout .

📈 Box Office & Reception

Earned Rs 48.5 crore in 3 days in India; strong overseas debut—nearly $1 million in North America .
Critics gave it solid ratings (3–3.5/5):
- “Performances anchor bold story”
- Called “emotionally fresh” and “compelling”
Viewers applaud its socio-political messaging and themes.
Controversy: Fans debated over Nagarjuna’s “real hero” comment .
Success meet buzz: Composer Devi Sri Prasad noted the team was paid even before release . Actor Chiranjeevi personally praised Rashmika’s presence .

📝 Interesting Facts

Dhanush’s method prep: He actually begged in Tirupati to step into his role.
High stakes: Kuberaa is Sekhar Kammula’s biggest-budget film at ₹120+ crore .
Mumbai setting: Shot on location; the city’s urban divide becomes a character .
Bilingual release: Simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil, with dubbed versions in Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi .

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✅ Should You Watch It?

If you love gritty thrillers with social themes, this film delivers.
Ideal for fans of realistic performances and strong storytelling.
Marathi-lite warning: the runtime is long (~3hrs) and the pace dips occasionally—so be prepared!

⏭️ OTT & Streaming Info

Amazon Prime Video acquired digital rights; expected streaming from mid-July 2025 .

✅ Verdict

Kuberaa is a bold, emotionally resonant crime saga that spotlights marginalized voices and systemic corruption. With powerhouse performances—especially by Dhanush and Nagarjuna—and Sekhar Kammula’s layered direction, it stands as a memorable entry in Tollywood’s 2025 lineup.