Kuberaa

''Kuberaa'' is a 2025 Indian crime drama film directed by Sekhar Kammula, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chaithanya Pingali. Produced by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP and Amigos Creations, the film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil. It stars Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh and Dalip Tahil.

The film was announced in June 2021. Principal photography took place from February to April 2024, and its official title was announced in March. The film has music composed by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy, editing by Karthika Srinivas and production design by Thota Tharani. ''Kuberaa'' was released worldwide on 20 June 2025 and was successful at the box office grossing worldwide.

Plot

Neeraj Mitra, a powerful and ambitious businessman in Mumbai, discovers a rare oil reserve hidden in the Bay of Bengal. Eager to turn it into a source of wealth, influence, and political control, he plans a secret mission along with his business tycoon dad with the backing of the top politicians. To make it work, he turns to Deepak, a sincere and ex- C.B.I. officer now in prison for refusing to bow to corruption. Left with no choice, Deepak agrees to help. Though he does not share Neeraj's greed, his circumstances force him into the plan. Deepak gathers a group of beggars from across the country to carry out the job quietly in Mumbai.

One of them is Deva Kallam, a kind-hearted naive man from Tirupati who has no idea what he has been dragged into. Eventually, Deva discovers they plan to kill him, along with the other beggars Deepak took the help of, and he escapes. This sparks a manhunt with Neeraj and Deepak racing to find him before the truth unravels and they face the dire consequences of losing him. On the run, Deva meets Sameera, who has been stranded in Mumbai after being jilted by her boyfriend, and what follows is a gripping journey of survival, trust, and inner strength.

Cast

Production

Development

In June 2021, ahead the release of his '' Jagame Thandhiram'', Dhanush officially announced his upcoming film directed by Sekhar Kammula. It would be produced by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas, LLP and Amigos Creations. The film was reported to be Dhanush's Telugu debut. A muhurat puja was held on 28 November 2022 in Hyderabad. Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna were announced as the other leading actors in August 2023. While the film was originally known under the working title ''D51'', as it is Dhanush's 51st film as the leading actor, with the arrival of Nagarjuna, it was changed to ''DNS'', the initialism referring to Dhanush, Nagarjuna and Sekhar. The official title, ''Kubera'', was announced on 8 March 2024. Almost a year later, the spelling was amended to ''Kuberaa''.

Filming

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 17 January 2024 in Hyderabad. In late January, production moved to a temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. However, the team were filming near the Ghat Roads by Alipiri, leading to vehicles moving towards the temple, being redirected by the police and the bouncers. The roadblocks and diversion led to commotion and traffic jams around the temple. The public went on to question the police to know how they permitted the team to shoot at that spot and filed a police complaint against the team. The second schedule commenced on 8 February in Goa. On 13 March, the production house posted behind-the-scene stills, while also announcing a new schedule in Bangkok. In early May, production moved to Mumbai. During this schedule, Dhanush shot a sequence for 12 hours beside a dump yard. Filming wrapped in late April.

Title dispute

In April 2024, film producer Karmikonda Narendra stated that he owned the rights of the title ''Kubera'' and had already completed shooting a film with the title. He filed a complaint, but was not responded to. Soon after, Narendra urged the Telangana Film Chamber to intervene and resolve the dispute. Kammula's film was subsequently renamed ''Kuberaa''.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is composed by Devi Sri Prasad in his third collaboration with Dhanush and first with Sekhar Kammula. The audio rights were acquired by Aditya Music.

The first single, "Poyiraa Mama" was released on 2 March 2025. The second single, "Anaganaga Kadha" was released on 2 June 2025.

Release

Theatrical

''Kuberaa'' was released worldwide on 20 June 2025 in theatres. The Tamil Nadu distribution rights were bought by Romeo Pictures.

Home media

The post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video. The film will began streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 18 July 2025 in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

Reception

Critical response

Avad Mohammad of ''OTTPlay'' gave 4/5 stars and wrote "''Kuberaa'' is one of the best Telugu films in recent times. With gripping thrills, heartfelt emotions, a compelling story, and a powerful message, the film delivers on every front." Paul Nicodemus of ''The Times of India'' gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Kuberaa is not your usual commercial potboiler—and that's precisely what makes it worth a watch. It's a brooding, introspective take on wealth and morality. It's not flawless, but it's a bold leap from a filmmaker unafraid to reinvent his canvas." Swaroop Kodur of ''The Indian Express'' gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "''Kuberaa'' wears its bleeding heart on its sleeve for the marginalised, and while several scenes are effective, a few others feel repetitive and yank the pacing. ..If the bloated duration of the film could be overlooked, Kuberaa stands apart from all the cacophony around as a one-of-a-kind 'mass' experience." BH Harsh of ''Cinema Express'' gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Dhanush's performance, aided by Sekhar's direction, does wonders here. ..''Kuberaa'' is a bold stroke of filmmaking, staunch in its commentary and so affecting in its sentiment. A few quibbles can be ignored." Goutham S of ''Pinkvilla'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Kuberaa is an interesting and unique attempt by Sekhar Kammula in blending commercial aspects with a realistic narrative. A talented ensemble cast at the helm, the social thriller is a fresh cup of tea despite its flaws."

Janani K of ''India Today'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "''Kuberaa'' raises important questions about justice, money and power. But, it is not one without flaws. The pre-climax and climax feel a bit rushed and lack emotional connect. That said, ''Kuberaa'' presents a world that will keep you intrigued." Kirubhakar Purushothaman of ''News18'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "While Kuberaa carefully steers away from the generic nature of commercial entertainers, the end seems like an easy way out and undermines its desire to be unique." Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''The Hindu'' wrote "Kuberaa falls short of being a gamechanger. But it is a brave film from a director who has often stepped away from the norm, and raised pertinent questions. That is ample reason to cheer."

Box office

''Kubera'' grossed ₹13 crore net on its opening day in India, with a worldwide gross of ₹26 crore, marking Dhanush's highest opening day collection. On its second day, the film earned an estimated ₹17 crore net in India, pushing the global gross past ₹50 crore. The third day saw collections of ₹18.5 crore net in India, resulting in a domestic weekend total of ₹48.5 crore and a global gross of approximately ₹79 crore. On the fourth day, earnings dropped to ₹7.25 crore net in India. By the end of its first week, the film had grossed an estimated ₹104 crore worldwide, with ₹78 crore from India and ₹26 crore from overseas markets. The film grossed worldwide in sixteen days, thus achieving the break-even point and became successful at the box office.

Notes

References

External links

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{{Authority control
2020s business films
2020s Indian films
2020s Tamil-language films
2020s Telugu-language films
2025 crime drama films
2025 films
2025 multilingual films
Fictional portrayals of the Maharashtra Police
Films about corruption in India
Films about human trafficking
Films about organised crime in India
Films about orphans
Films about police brutality
Films about poverty in India
Films about social issues in India
Films directed by Sekhar Kammula
Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad
Films set in Mumbai
Films set in slums
Films set in Andhra Pradesh
Films shot in Hyderabad, India
Films shot in Mumbai
Films shot in Tirupati
Indian business films
Indian crime drama films
Indian multilingual films
Tamil-language crime drama films
Tamil-language Indian films
Telugu-language films