Kuberaa, produced by Suniel Narang and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, was released in theatres today.
Story:
Neeraj Mitra (Jim Sarbh) is an over-ambitious business tycoon who is tipped off about a just-discovered huge oil reserve in the Bay of Bengal. He enters into an unholy nexus with a powerful Minister with the aim of owning the entire reserves, which can make him the richest man. He must transfer one lakh crores to different bank accounts to achieve his nefarious ends.
Deepak (Nagarjuna), an ousted CBI officer, is an undertrial locked up in prison for being too honest to a fault. Neeraj manipulates Deepak into joining hands with him in finding potential Benamis. Deva (Dhanush), an orphaned, illiterate beggar, is their first target. When Deva discovers that he has been trapped into something murky, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues.
Analysis:
The story is set in a menacing world where “ambition, power, and morality collide”. In terms of ambition and scale, this is director Sekhar Kammula’s biggest movie to date. Leader did have many grand elements but since it was about a power battle, the scale was expected. Kuberaa is more colourful, especially because it has a ‘Beggar vs Billionaire’ element built into it. The novelty gives rise to excellent plot points.
Dhanush is raw, empathetic and pity-evoking at once. His performance channels both vulnerability and resilience. Nagarjuna’s character carries the weight of difficult choices. His performance embodies the inner struggle with conviction. Rashmika Mandanna conveys the emotional toll of the unfolding events with her solid acting. Her character Sameera is not routine at all. Jim Sarbh is a formidable antagonist who is chillingly effective. He gets to display his talent in many scenes, which include the two main male actors. Sayaji Shinde plays a small-time cop, while Dalip Tahil plays the villain’s dad. Sunaina plays Deepak’s wife; she shares screen space with Nag. Hareesh Peradi plays an evil politician. Saurav Khurana plays Robot, an impulsive henchman.
Devi Sri Prasad’s mood-setting score seamlessly moves from moments of tension to melancholic reflection. Niketh Bommi’s cinematography heightens the emotional impact and visual storytelling. Karthika Srinivas R’s editing ensures an engaging pace despite a long run-time (more than three hours). Chaithanya Pingali’s contribution as a co-writer contributes to the well-crafted narrative, while ‘Stunts’ Sree’s action direction ensures grounded action.
Highlights:
1. Novel storyline.
2. The surprises pulled off by Dhanush’s character.
3. The clash between a terrible capitalist and a good-natured, naive beggar is totally refreshing.
4. No unnecessary scenes. The Dhanush-Rashmika scenes don’t overstep their boundaries.
Kuberaa gives enough material for the discerning to unpack. Kammula’s sensibilities are fleshed out, thanks to gripping performances. The pacing is not hurried. The detailing is ever-present.
Verdict:
Kuberaa is a grand, well-paced thriller where a novel Beggar vs. Billionaire premise shines. Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Jim Sarbh deliver powerful performances, anchoring a story of moral dilemmas and high-stakes ambition. With solid technicals and a compelling narrative free of unnecessary detours, it offers a refreshing and impactful cinematic experience.
