Kubera Movie Review: Dhanush Shines in a Gripping, Emotionally-Rich Drama
Sarkar Rating:3/5 Release Date: June 20, 2025
Cast:
Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, Dalip Tahil, Sayaji Shinde, Sunaina, Divya Dekate, Koushik Mahata, Saurav Khurana and others
Crew:
Director – Sekhar Kammula
Producer – Suniel Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao & Ajay Kaikala
Banner – Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP & Amigos Creations
Music – Devi Sri Prasad
The buzz around Kubera took off the moment it was announced that acclaimed filmmaker Sekhar Kammula would be teaming up with National Award-winning actor Dhanush for a socially relevant drama. Add to that the presence of veteran star Akkineni Nagarjuna in a pivotal role and Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, and expectations soared. Sekhar Kammula also surprised many by collaborating for the first time with star composer Devi Sri Prasad, adding further excitement. But does the film live up to the hype? Has Dhanush delivered again after Sir? And did Kammula succeed in blending social commentary with mainstream appeal? Let’s find out.
Story:
Set against the backdrop of corporate greed and societal inequities, Kubera follows Neeraj (Jim Sarbh), a powerful businessman determined to secure ownership of newly discovered oil reserves in the Bay of Bengal by distributing massive bribes—amounting to ₹1 lakh crore—through a former CBI officer, Deepak (Nagarjuna). Meanwhile, Deva (Dhanush), a beggar with a mysterious past, unexpectedly crosses paths with Deepak. Who is Deva really? What role does Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna) play in this power game? What forces push Deepak to compromise his ideals? These questions unfold in an intense and layered narrative.
Performances:
Dhanush delivers a phenomenal performance as Deva. Immersing himself completely in the role of a beggar, his body language, voice modulation, and emotional depth are nothing short of award-worthy. This might go down as one of the finest performances of his career.
Nagarjuna as Deepak offers a restrained yet emotionally resonant portrayal of a man torn between ethics and personal obligations. It’s a refreshing, author-backed role that he handles with finesse.
Rashmika Mandanna is impressive as Sameera, a character with depth and emotional vulnerability. Her chemistry with Dhanush in the dump yard sequences stands out as one of the highlights of the film.
Jim Sarbh plays the suave antagonist with subtle menace, avoiding the usual over-the-top villainy. Supporting actors like Dilip Tahil, Sayaji Shinde, and the trio of beggars add credibility and layers to the story. Sunaina makes a brief but memorable appearance.
Technical Brilliance:
Devi Sri Prasad’s background score is a major asset. It heightens the emotion in key sequences, especially in the second half, without overwhelming the scenes. His songs are seamlessly integrated into the narrative.
Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography beautifully contrasts the wealth and poverty of Mumbai, giving the film a rich visual palette.
Editing by Karthika Srinivas, however, is one of the film’s weaker points. A tighter runtime—especially trimming the sluggish initial portions and an extended pre-interval sequence—could have elevated the experience further.
Production values by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP are top-notch, reflecting the scale and seriousness of the subject matter.
What Works:
Dhanush’s transformative, career-best performance
Thought-provoking writing with hard-hitting dialogues
Emotionally resonant second half
Strong performances by Nagarjuna & Rashmika
DSP’s evocative background music
Sekhar Kammula’s nuanced direction
What Doesn’t:
Slow pacing in the first 20 minutes
Lengthy pre-interval sequence
Abrupt climax that could have been better fleshed out
Analysis:
Sekhar Kammula’s storytelling once again finds power in empathy and realism. A particularly poignant line by Sameera—“In some way or the other, all of us are beggars”—captures the film’s central theme with disarming clarity.
Kammula’s ability to reveal character backstories with minimal dialogue, especially for the beggars, is a testament to his visual storytelling prowess. The second half is packed with emotionally charged sequences, with the standout being the moment where Deva carries Kushboo on his back, underscored by a haunting Shiva Stotram—goosebumps-inducing in every sense.
While the film isn’t without flaws—most notably in editing and a slightly underwhelming climax—the emotional weight, performances, and storytelling triumph over these drawbacks.
Verdict:
Kubera is a rare blend of substance and sentiment, elevated by Dhanush’s stellar performance and Sekhar Kammula’s grounded storytelling. Despite a few pacing issues, it’s a deeply rewarding cinematic experience.
Bottom Line:
Kubera – A Soulful, Socially-Relevant Winner with Dhanush at His Best
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