Kubera Movie Review

Introduction:

Kubera, directed by Shekhar Kammula, marks a distinctive departure from his typical storytelling. Known for his naturalistic narratives, Kammula crafts a scam-driven drama headlined by Dhanush and Nagarjuna, with Rashmika Mandanna playing a key role. The film, released today, attempts a blend of intense drama, satire, and social commentary.

Plot Summary:

Neeraj Mitra (played by Jim), a ruthless businessman aiming to expand his empire through control over oil reserves, needs nearly ₹1 lakh crore to grease political and bureaucratic wheels. He turns to CBI officer Deepak (Nagarjuna), who is currently in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Freed by Neeraj for personal gain, Deepak is coerced into handling the transaction. He uses four illiterate beggars as frontmen, including Deva (Dhanush) from Tirupati. After the task, Neeraj plans to eliminate them, but Deepak and Deva uncover the plot. How Deva reacts, how Samira (Rashmika) enters his life, and the challenges she faces due to him form the crux of the story.

Analysis:

Shekhar Kammula is known for taking his time with scripting, and Kubera reflects that attention to detail. The film cleverly uses the beggar-turned-hero narrative and justifies its title in an emotionally grounded way. Departing from his usual romantic and campus settings, Kammula ventures into the world of scams and grey characters. While the story handles this shift effectively, the film does feel slightly lengthy in parts. The contrast between a greedy tycoon, a dutiful officer, and a compassionate beggar gives the story emotional weight. Rashmika’s character design also adds freshness.

The movie subtly critiques class disparity while offering a message that true wealth lies in improving others’ lives, not hoarding riches. However, some scenes—like a powerful villain disguising as a beggar—may feel silly or far-fetched.
Performances:

Nagarjuna impresses as a principled CBI officer caught in moral conflict. Dhanush, as the beggar Deva, is earnest and emotional, holding the viewer’s empathy. Rashmika’s character brings sensitivity and surprise. Jim plays the antagonist effectively, embodying power and cunning.

Technical Aspects:

The film is well-shot by Niketh Bommi Reddy, with a keen visual tone supporting the emotional and dramatic layers. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score and songs, especially “Poyira Maava” and “Naa Koduka,” enhance the emotional beats. Editing by Karthika Srinivas could have trimmed some sequences to improve pacing.

Final Verdict:

Kubera is a notable shift for Shekhar Kammula, moving away from his signature style. Despite a few logical lapses and a slightly stretched runtime, it remains engaging with strong performances and an emotionally resonant message about real success and humanity.