Kuberaa

Could have easily cut down the total run time to 150mins, felt like I was in for a long chase right from the moment Deva escaped from the baddies. And to top that some of those chase sequences felt repetitive and tired. But Dhanush did a fine job in portraying the role of a beggar, he literally got himself immersed in the character and made us feel like we were watching the life of a real beggar. Rest of the characters too did a great job in their roles. And coming to the score, at times it was good especially the one for Neeraj(played by Jim Sarbh). Overall a decent film with some shortcomings.

What if billions of dollars in oil reserves could make or break a nation's future? Kuberaa opens with this tantalizing premise, weaving a web of financial espionage where CBI officers, corrupt businessmen, and shadowy power brokers circle each other like sharks.

For most of its runtime, Sekhar Kammula's thriller keeps you guessing who's playing whom in this high-stakes game of greed and justice. Then comes that ending, and suddenly, all that carefully built tension deflates like a punctured tire.

Nagarjuna delivers a compelling performance as Deepak, a disillusioned CBI officer, showcasing more emotional range than his recent commercial outings. His internal conflict feels authentic and lived-in. Dhanush, in a pivotal role, brings his trademark intensity, though his character arc feels somewhat under-explored compared to his stellar work in recent Tamil films. Jim Sarbh as the ambitious businessman Neeraj Mitra is deliciously menacing, in stark contrast to his Homi Bhabha in Rocket Boys. Rashmika Mandanna, while serviceable, doesn't quite transcend the limitations of her role. Dalip Tahil is wasted in an inconsequential role.

Kammula crafts a visually striking film that tackles corruption and power with admirable ambition. The oil reserve subplot provides genuine intrigue, and the film's first two acts maintain impressive momentum. However, the resolution feels rushed and somewhat predictable, preventing what could have been a truly memorable thriller from reaching its full potential.

Despite its flawed conclusion, Kuberaa succeeds as both entertainment and a window into Telugu cinema's evolving sensibilities.

"Kuberaa" (2025) emerges as a significant showcase for Dhanush, who delivers a truly stunning, arguably career-best performance. His transformation and embodiment of the character are captivating throughout. However, despite this central strength, the film is hampered by its excessive length and a rushed climax that ultimately undercuts its impact.

Dhanush is the undeniable highlight of the film. His portrayal of a complex character is nuanced, raw, and deeply compelling, demonstrating his exceptional range and commitment. He elevates every scene he's in, making it a performance worthy of major accolades.

The film, directed by Sekhar Kammula, attempts a multi-layered narrative delving into financial crimes and societal power structures. The initial premise is good, offering an intriguing setup that promises depth and engagement. The supporting cast, including Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna, also deliver strong performances, adding to the film's overall quality.

However, "Kuberaa" struggles with its pacing, particularly in the middle sections. The narrative feels protracted, and there are moments where the film becomes tiring, losing the viewer's consistent engagement. This extended runtime dilutes the impact of the unfolding events. Furthermore, the climax, despite the preceding build-up, feels rushed and doesn't land with the emotional punch or narrative satisfaction it should have, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.

While "Kuberaa" is a good film with a compelling core and a standout performance from Dhanush, its length and a weak, hurried ending prevent it from reaching the heights it otherwise could have achieved.

The film feels fresh and good overall, but it still carries some cliché baggage-especially when it comes to the villains. The hero's character, though, is rare and really interesting. The first half is very good and the second half graph goes down.

It's a long ride-some scenes are fantastic, some drag like a Monday morning, and the rest are just... there. Dialogues feel pretty generic, nothing that sticks.

Dhanush absolutely nails it-can't imagine anyone else in that role. Nagarjuna looks cool and plays a refreshing part; he does a decent job.

It could've been even better if they had swapped Rashmika with Sunaina, she brought real talent to a tiny role, while Rashmika had a better role but didn't quite bring it to life.

Music fits well, cinematography looks great, and the production design is top-class-very natural and detailed. Direction is good too. Shekhar Kammula experiments a bit but still sticks to his usual flavor.

It's a good film-not a must-watch classic, but definitely not a flop either. Had the potential to be great, but missed the mark by a bit. Whether to catch it in theatres, wait for OTT, or skip it-totally your call.