Sekhar Kammula’s much-anticipated Kuberaa (2025)—a bilingual film shot in Telugu and Tamil—promised a clash of titans and ideas, bringing together the powerhouse talents of Dhanush and Nagarjuna Akkineni alongside the national appeal of Rashmika Mandanna and the quiet menace of Jim Sarbh. Billed as a high-stakes social thriller and crime drama, Kuberaa dives deep into the murky intersection of wealth, morality, and identity, delivering a film that is as thought-provoking as it is technically superb. While the film’s significant runtime and pacing issues have been noted by some critics, its powerful core concept and, most notably, a career-defining performance by Dhanush cement Kuberaa as one of the most essential Indian cinematic releases of 2025.
Plot Summary: The Beggar and the Billionaire’s Game
The Kuberaa story centers on Deva (Dhanush), a kind-hearted beggar from Tirupati with a photographic memory, who is unwittingly dragged into a massive, multi-crore money laundering scheme. The mastermind behind this operation is the ruthless corporate titan Neeraj Mitra (Jim Sarbh), who aims to secretly exploit a newly discovered oil reserve. To handle the massive bribes required for political backing, Neeraj enlists the help of Deepak (Nagarjuna Akkineni), a former, ethically compromised CBI officer.
Deepak devises a chillingly clever plan: use four beggars from across the country, including Deva, as ‘benamis’—or frontmen—to float fake companies and transfer the illicit funds. These individuals are momentarily turned into paper billionaires before being systematically eliminated to erase all evidence. The narrative truly ignites when Deva, the simple, naive man who cares for stray dogs, narrowly escapes this deadly trap. His subsequent journey from a victim of corporate greed to a determined force seeking justice forms the film’s emotional backbone.
Performance: Dhanush’s Masterclass and Nagarjuna’s Nuance
The greatest strength of Kuberaa is undoubtedly its stellar cast, led by Dhanush. His portrayal of Deva is nothing short of phenomenal. Critics across the board have hailed this as a career-best performance, noting his profound physical and emotional transformation. Dhanush embodies Deva’s innocence, his sharp memory, and his eventual, quiet rage with remarkable restraint. His ability to convey the character’s inner turmoil—a compassionate soul thrust into a ruthless financial world—makes the audience wholeheartedly root for him.
Nagarjuna Akkineni, as Deepak, offers a subdued yet highly impactful performance. His character is the moral anchor caught in the ethical grey zone: an honest man forced to compromise his ideals to protect his family. Nagarjuna handles this complexity with maturity, providing a necessary foil to both Dhanush’s purity and Sarbh’s villainy.
Jim Sarbh continues his streak of playing compelling antagonists. As Neeraj Mitra, he exudes a chilling, quiet menace, personifying the cold, unfeeling nature of black money and corporate corruption. Rashmika Mandanna, in a pivotal role as Sameera, brings much-needed light and charm, acting as a crucial catalyst in Deva’s journey, especially in the film’s emotionally charged second half.
Direction, Music, and Critical Reception
Director Sekhar Kammula, known for his nuanced, emotionally rich narratives like Fidaa and Love Story, marks a bold shift with this pan-Indian social thriller. He swaps his signature tenderness for a moodier, cynical exploration of economic inequality. Kammula’s direction successfully builds a brooding atmosphere, leveraging the stark contrasts between the opulence of Mumbai’s elite and the desperation of the Dharavi slums.
Technically, the film shines. Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography is evocative, utilizing shadows and high contrast to visually reinforce the duality of the characters’ lives. Devi Sri Prasad’s (DSP) background score has received significant praise, effectively elevating the tension and emotional depth of key scenes without being overbearing.
However, the film is not without flaws. The Kuberaa movie review consensus points to the film’s significant 3-hour-plus running time (182 minutes in Tamil, 181 in Telugu) as a major issue. The first half is widely described as a slow burn, taking too long to set up the intricate world and leading to patience-testing for some viewers. Furthermore, while the build-up is strong, the climax has been criticized for feeling rushed and slightly conventional, failing to pay off the massive momentum generated earlier.
| Actor/Actress | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanush | Deva (the beggar) | Career-best performance; transforms from destitute to anti-hero. |
| Nagarjuna Akkineni | Deepak (civil servant) | Portrays a morally conflicted insider. |
| Rashmika Mandanna | Sameera (activist) | Strong supporting role with emotional depth. |
| Jim Sarbh | Neeraj (billionaire) | Chilling antagonist; brings nuance to corporate villainy. |
| Dalip Tahil | CBI Officer | Adds gravitas to the law enforcement arc. |
| Sayaji Shinde | Supporting | Veteran presence in the ensemble. |
| K. Bhagyaraj | Supporting | Comedic relief in the Tamil version. |
| Nasser | Supporting | Tamil version-specific role. |
Box Office and Thematic Resonance
Despite the mixed feedback on pacing, Kuberaa opened strongly at the Box Office, collecting an estimated ₹12.98 crore on Day 1 (early estimates) and achieving a worldwide gross well over ₹100 crore in its opening week, solidifying its place among the biggest Indian hits of 2025. This commercial success is a testament to the combined star power of the cast and the timeliness of the film’s themes.
Kuberaa is a profound and often metaphorical look at the societal concept of ‘begging’—arguing that in a system of profound economic imbalance, everyone, from the beggar on the street to the honest CBI officer, is forced to beg for survival, justice, or dignity. The film asks uncomfortable questions about the true cost of ambition and the price of survival in a world where money dictates morality.
For fans of sophisticated crime dramas and those seeking a film anchored by stellar acting, Kuberaa (2025) is a highly recommended theatrical watch, particularly for Dhanush’s unforgettable performance. While a tighter edit could have resulted in a masterpiece, the movie remains a powerful, engaging, and relevant piece of contemporary Indian cinema.