“Kubera Will Be a Game-Changer in Indian Cinema: Sekhar Kammula”
Superstar Dhanush, King Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna come together for the highly anticipated pan-India movie “Kubera” directed by Sekhar Kammula. With an exceptional cast, Kubera is poised to become a game-changer in Indian cinema. The promotional content released so far has received a tremendous response. Songs like Poyira Mama, Trance of Kubera, and PP Dum Dum are trending on top of the music charts with chartbuster responses.
Produced on a grand scale by Sunil Narang and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao under SVCLLP in association with Amigos Creations Pvt. Ltd., Kubera is made with a high budget and top-notch production values. On this occasion, director Sekhar Kammula shared interesting details about the movie in a media interaction:
What motivated you to make Kubera?
There wasn’t a particular motivation—it just felt like an interesting idea. One world is of the super-rich, the other is at the absolute bottom—a billionaire vs a beggar. That felt intriguing. Honestly, it’s a difficult story to narrate. It’s a big concept that slowly evolved into an emotional thriller.
A beggar who desires nothing… and a billionaire who wants everything from the world—exploring the conflict between them is quite fascinating.
These days, many stories are being told in cinema, but I’m really happy to have narrated this kind of story. It definitely deserves to be told. It brings awareness and has a strong thrilling point.
We shot the film in both Telugu and Tamil simultaneously. There is no change in the story, but there’s about a minute’s difference in runtime. We shot everything separately for each language to maintain perfect lip-sync. Technically, it’s like making two films, so it took a little more time.
We heard you were particular about casting Nagarjuna Garu?
Yes. For characters with such shades, Nagarjuna Garu is a perfect fit. There’s a “wow factor” when you see him on screen. We portrayed him in a different acting style, tailored to the character.
He has done varied characters in films like Manam and Oopiri. He will look very fresh in this movie as well. He completely immersed himself into this role.
Rashmika too will surprise everyone. She’s the kind of actress who can perform at the next level when given a good opportunity.
Why did you choose Dhanush for Kubera’s title role?
No one else could have done this role other than Dhanush. After watching the film, the audience will say the same. He delivered a phenomenal performance—“outstanding” is an understatement. You simply cannot imagine anyone else in that character. He stays in character till the end of the shoot and can complete a scene in a single take.
Will Kubera carry your signature style?
People say my films have a “mark,” but I’ve never made movies aiming for a particular mark. I always do what the story needs. Since most of my blockbusters have been musical hits or love stories, people associate that with my mark.
Leader was a very honest story—I didn’t think of adding a love track or songs just for the sake of it. The same with Happy Days—since it was a college story, I treated it as one. That’s probably why audiences liked them.
Kubera is the same. I gave the story what it required. The “mark” varies depending on the story. But yes, when audiences watch Kubera, they will feel a “wow” factor because of how such a story was executed. That’s why we made the teaser and trailer clear about the film’s core—it’s about the contrast between rich and poor.
This is a very different film. Whatever I make, I do it honestly. That honesty is amplified tenfold in Kubera.
Will this ideology hurt anyone’s sentiments?
Not at all. It’s not an ideological battle. But while watching the film, people will gain awareness of these two extreme worlds.
About Devi Sri Prasad’s music?
Working with DSP has been wonderful. He’s the king of commercial music. He gave Kubera a fantastic background score. There are many high-impact moments. The music will be an incredible experience.
This is the biggest-budget film of your career. How was the support from producers?
It was possible only because of the producers. With such a huge star cast and budget, their support was crucial. Whatever I asked for, they never said no. Their support was phenomenal.
How do Nagarjuna and Dhanush’s characters travel in the film?
(smiling) You have to watch it in the film. It will be very beautiful on screen.
About Jim Sarbh’s role?
He surprised me. Even with lengthy dialogues, he memorized and delivered them flawlessly. Never missed a single line. After this film, I believe he will get many more opportunities in Indian cinema.
What was the most challenging part of this film?
Shooting in Mumbai was very tough. Getting permissions is very hard there. There are many restrictions. Even locals prefer to shoot elsewhere. Filming in such conditions was a huge challenge.
Why did you choose a Mumbai backdrop?
The story demanded a Mumbai backdrop. For this story, Mumbai was a must.
How does it feel looking back at your 25-year journey?
I started my first film from a small house. Now, I’m making a film of this scale. It feels emotional when I look back. Audiences have showered me with love and trust. I’ve always tried to live up to that trust. That gives me immense satisfaction. Their appreciation gave me a place in the industry—I don’t wish for anything more.
Will there be a Kubera Part 2?
No, this is it. One part is enough (smiles).
What about a sequel to Leader?
I keep thinking about it. I have clarity on the story. But the circumstances have changed a lot since Leader. The country, the people—their thinking has evolved. I would need to capture that accurately.
Are you planning another pan-India film next?
Not particularly. Even Kubera wasn’t made with a pan-India intention. The story itself had a true pan-India experience. It’s a story that resonates across the country. Making a pan-India film is very tough—songs, dubbed lyrics, and everything else requires extra effort.
We heard you’re planning a film with Nani?
It’s not finalized yet. It needs time and more development.
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