Kuberaa" (2025): Sekhar Kammula's Bold Dive into the Underbelly of Wealth
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan – July 20, 2025 – Sekhar Kammula, known for his nuanced and often romantic narratives, made a notable genre shift with his 2025 pan-Indian film, "Kuberaa." Released on
June 20, 2025, in Telugu and Tamil, with dubbed versions in Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, this social thriller aimed to explore the darker facets of ambition, power, and the complex relationship between morality and money.
A Star-Powered Ensemble:
"Kuberaa" boasts a compelling cast that drew significant attention:
- Dhanush as Deva: The versatile National Award winner delivered a powerful performance as Deva, a kind-hearted beggar from Tirupati whose life is dramatically altered when he is inadvertently pulled into a massive financial scam. His transformation and emotional depth were widely praised.
- Nagarjuna Akkineni as Deepak Tej: The Telugu superstar portrayed a disgraced former CBI officer, caught in a moral quandary as he is coerced into aiding a ruthless businessman. Nagarjuna's performance was noted for its stoicism and subtle intensity.
- Rashmika Mandanna as Sameera: The popular actress played a crucial role that intersected with Deva's journey, bringing a blend of innocence and resilience to the narrative.
- Jim Sarbh as Neeraj Mitra: The talented Bollywood actor excelled as the cunning and ambitious antagonist, a businessman driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth and control.
The film's technical prowess was also a talking point, with
Devi Sri Prasad's impactful background score and songs enhancing the emotional beats, and
Niketh Bommireddy's cinematography effectively capturing the film's moody atmosphere.
Plot: A High-Stakes Game of Greed and Survival
The story of "Kuberaa" is set against the backdrop of Mumbai and delves into the discovery of vast, illicit oil reserves in India by the powerful businessman Neeraj (Jim Sarbh). To manage the enormous black money generated by this illegal venture, Neeraj enlists the help of Deepak (Nagarjuna), a shrewd financial fixer and former CBI officer who is currently imprisoned.
Deepak devises a daring plan: to use impoverished beggars as "benamis" (frontmen) to create shell companies, effectively turning them into overnight paper billionaires. Deva (Dhanush), a compassionate beggar with a photographic memory, becomes one of these unwitting pawns. However, when Deva uncovers the sinister truth – that he and the other beggars are slated for elimination once their purpose is served – he escapes, triggering a relentless manhunt.
On the run, Deva encounters Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna) and together, they embark on a dangerous quest to expose the grand conspiracy. The narrative unfolds as a gripping tale of survival, trust, and the pursuit of justice, ultimately aiming to redirect the ill-gotten gains towards the upliftment of the poor.
Reception and Box Office:
"Kuberaa," reportedly made on a substantial budget of around ₹120-130 crores, garnered
mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. While the film was praised for its bold premise, strong performances (especially Dhanush's), and impactful music, some found the pacing in the first half to be slow and the climax to be somewhat underwhelming.
Despite the mixed critical reception, "Kuberaa" achieved a
gross worldwide collection of ₹132 crore within 16 days of its release. However, at the Indian box office, it faced a deficit, earning around ₹90.42 crore net in 28 days against its budget, leading to a "losing" verdict domestically according to some reports. The film performed particularly well in the Telugu market but struggled in Dhanush's home state of Tamil Nadu.
"Kuberaa" stands as a testament to Sekhar Kammula's willingness to experiment and tackle darker, more complex themes. While it may not have been an outright box office blockbuster across all regions, its strong performances and relevant social commentary have solidified its place as a significant and thought-provoking film of 2025. As of July 18, 2025, "Kuberaa" is also available for streaming on
Amazon Prime Video, offering a wider audience the chance to experience this intriguing thriller.
