Kuberaa marks the first collaboration between the National award-winning performer Dhanush and celebrated film maker Sekhar Kammula. With Nagarjuna as the main character in the film, it hit the screens in the present with plenty of buzz around the film. Are the expectations met? This is our final assessment.
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Story
Neeraj Mitra (Jim Sarbh) A successful and ambitious businessman discovers a secret oil reserve located inside the Bay of Bengal. In a bid to make it an income source and influence as well as political control, he sets out to carry out an elaborate plan with the support of high-ranking leaders. To achieve this the man is able to rely on Deepak (Nagarjuna) (Nagarjuna), one of the once honest CBI officer who is now imprisoned for refusing to submit to the sway of corruption. With no other choice, Deepak agrees to help.
Although he isn’t a fan of Neeraj’s desires, his circumstances force him to follow the scheme. Deepak is joined by a group of beggars across the country to complete the mission in quiet. One of the beggars are Deva (Dhanush) A honest and gentle man who isn’t aware of the circumstances he’s entangled in. However, when Deva finds out that they are planning to murder the man, he escapes. The incident triggers a manhunt which leads to Neeraj and Deepak searching for him before the truth is revealed.
In the midst of a chase, Deva meets Sameera (Rashmika Mandanna) and what ensues is an unforgettable adventure that focuses on trust, survival and inner determination. As secrets unravel and loyalties are testified, Kuberaa dives deep into the costs of power as well as the battle to protect humanity in a world ruled by greed.
Trailer
Plus Points
Dhanush is the heart of Kuberaa. He doesn’t simply perform his part, he becomes Deva and plays the role of a gentle innocent beggar, with awe-inspiring grace. His demeanor, vulnerability and sincerity are presented with such a depth that it’s difficult to not look away. This is without doubt among his best and most honest and highly acclaimed performances.
Nagarjuna who plays a unique gray-shaded character, gives an honest and well-constructed performance. In the role of Deepak the character, he’s not evil and is instead a victim to the system. An officer who was once straight-forward, Deepak bends his ideals when he is forced into a bind. Nagarjuna captures this moral dilemma in a calm manner, showing the man who is caught between his moral compass and survival. The scenes he has with Dhanush are enthralling and stand out due to their intensity.
Jim Sarbh, despite limited screen time, is a shining star as the determined and clever Neeraj. His vigor and quietness add an air of gravitas to the character particularly in the closing scene. Acceptance of the consequences at the final act adds quiet force to his arc.
Rashmika Mandanna is a straightforward role, however her relationship with Dhanush provides a light touch to the otherwise tense narrative. Their scenes provide a hint of humor and emotion.
The film’s major strengths is the final section. The pre-climax and climax sequences are enthralling as well as emotionally rich. Sekhar Kammula weaves relevant emotions, social commentaries and compelling dialogues, but without straying too far. The care he puts into his writing is evident.
Minus Points
While the story has promise The first part is slow to establish the rhythm. The pace is inconsistent and some scenes are stretched. While the world building is important but it can slow down the flow and test patience.
Some scenes are perceived as monotonous, which affects the flow. If editing had been more focused the first half of the film could be more engaging.
The relationship of Deepak and Deva although successful in parts, could have been explored more deeply. Their bond has the potential to elevate the drama to a higher level. Also, Rashmika’s character might have played a greater part in helping to propel the plot into an entirely new direction, however she is still a support role.
Technical Aspects
Sekhar Kammula is credited for his bold move into a new era. His approach to the subject is both sensitive and confident as are his character well-crafted. The choice to depict the shades of grey that heroes can show is refreshing as are his emotional beats, which are a hit perfectly.
Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography is stunning. From the street’s natural chaos to the immenseness of the oil rigs, each frame is composed well. Karthika Srinivas’s editing skills are decent however a tighter opening part would have helped the speed.
Devi Sri Prasad’s backdrop soundtrack helps to create a mood, especially when scenes are intense. The music adds emotion without obscuring the visuals. The production values are excellent. A special mention should be given to the makeup and art departments teams for creating authentic characters and creating believable environments.
Box Office Collection
Kuberaa made the largest opening for Dhanush by netting 14.75 crore on the Indian box office. It was a good chance of getting into the top 100-crore club, but did not reach its goal and ended up with 90.89 crore net. After adjusting for GST the company earned 107.25 crore gross.
Box office breakdown
- India net – 90.89 crores
- India gross – 107.25 crores
- Overseas gross – 31.6 crores
- Worldwide gross – 138.85 crores
Verdict
In the end, Kuberaa is a sincere emotional, compelling drama that explores the themes of power, poverty and the struggle for survival. It’s a film that is enhanced by exceptional performances, especially by Dhanush who performs an impressive performance, as does Nagarjuna who shines with his morally complex character. Jim Sarbh provides more intensity and the film ends with a rousing conclusion. There are shortcomings, such as a slow initial part, a few repetitive scenes, and under-utilized character, however the essence of the plot is still impressive.
Sekhar Kammula makes a powerful film that mixes human emotion and social realistic elements. In the end, Kuberaa will be an enjoyable watch. For those who enjoy layers of narrative, timely themes, and outstanding acting This is a movie worth seeing. Don’t miss it.