Kuberaa Review: Sekhar Kammula Pushes Beyond His Comfort Zone

With Kuberaa, Sekhar Kammula breaks away from his signature style and takes a risk. And it works. Co-written with Chaithanya Pingali, this isn’t just a crime drama; it’s a study of human choices under pressure. The story doesn’t spoon-feed. It trusts the viewer to stay with it as it slowly builds into something much bigger. You see it unfold with purpose, not pace.

What is it about

The core of Kuberaa is the contrast. The powerful and the powerless. The system and those crushed under it. The story dives into how money circulates, how survival gets twisted, and how good people are pushed into impossible choices. It never feels preachy, but it makes you look closely at the world around you. What makes the narrative more compelling is how it draws from real-world parallels such as unemployment, informal economies, and systemic corruption. The screenplay doesn’t rely on exposition; instead, it builds tension through character decisions, showing how each person is trapped in a loop that mirrors larger societal issues. The layering is deliberate, with even minor characters adding weight to the film’s moral complexity.

Dhanush Is Magnetic, Rashmika Finds Her Depth, Nagarjuna Holds Steady

Dhanush doesn’t act, he transforms. His role as Deva, a beggar caught in a complex money trail, is raw, physical and completely believable. Rashmika Mandanna delivers a performance that feels honest. No glam, no noise, just maturity and depth. The scenes with the newborn add a quiet weight to her character.

Nagarjuna brings a calm intensity, playing a man whose past still haunts every decision. Jim Sarbh fits right into his role as the antagonist, cold, clever and always one step ahead. Dalip Tahil’s presence, though limited, adds edge to the bigger game.

Real Locations, Real Impact

Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography avoids filters. What you see feels real, whether it’s the corporate corridors or the rough streets. There’s no overstyling here. The visual tone is consistent and helps carry the film’s grounded emotion. Most of the movie is shot in actual city locations across Hyderabad and Mumbai, adding an authentic texture to each frame. 

Editing That Respects Emotion

At 193 minutes, this film could’ve slipped. But thanks to Karthika Srinivas, it doesn’t. The edit allows you to sit with each moment. It’s not rushed, and that works in its favor. Especially in scenes that need to breathe, like the confrontations, the silences and the quiet turns in character arcs. What stands out is how the pacing shifts intentionally with the emotional weight of each act. Early scenes unfold with measured stillness, while the tension tightens in the second half without losing coherence. The transitions between storylines are smooth, avoiding jarring cuts and instead relying on visual cues and pauses that let the viewer absorb, not just watch. 

Devi Sri Prasad’s Score, Subtle, Effective, Lasting

DSP’s music stays under the surface. It never overpowers, but you feel it. It lifts the weight of certain scenes and deepens others. There’s restraint here. No dramatic punches, just background emotion that moves with the characters. What’s particularly striking is how the score uses recurring motifs to signal emotional shifts, especially in scenes with Deva and the newborn.

Unlike his more commercial albums, this soundtrack leans into ambient layers, soft strings and minimal percussion. It complements the visual tone rather than competing with it, showing a conscious shift in DSP’s approach to match the film’s grounded narrative.

Final Verdict

Released on June 20, 2025, with a runtime of 193 minutes, Kuberaa is a slow burn that earns your attention. It’s not built for quick thrills; it’s built to stay with you. Watch it for the performances. Watch it for what it says, quietly but clearly.

Rating: 4/5

Watch it in theatres. This one deserves your full attention.