Kubera: Powerful performances by Nagarjuna, Dhanush

Renowned Telugu filmmaker Shekhar Kammula ventures into uncharted territory with Kubera, weaving a tale of scams and beggars that, while ambitious, struggles under its own weighty runtime.

Fresh Perspective on Corruption
In an era of countless con-artist dramas, Kammula innovates by placing beggars at the story’s heart. We meet three disparate lives: a penniless drifter with no ambitions, an honest government clerk whose integrity lands him in prison, and a corrupt tycoon for whom money is literally the air he breathes. Kammula navigates their intersecting paths with his trademark sensitivity, offering a fresh lens through which to view greed and desperation.

Stellar Performances

• Nagarjuna shines as Deepak, the government servant torn between familial duty and moral conviction. His nuanced portrayal of guilt and redemption is among the veteran actor’s finest in recent years.

• Dhanush surprises as the innocent vagrant, infusing the role with endearing naiveté that underscores the harshness of his world.

• Rashmika Mandanna, as Sameera, delivers a standout performance—balancing vulnerability with altruism as her character grapples with personal loss and unintended consequences.

• Jim Sarbh excels in a stylistically restrained villain role, adding a crisp edge to the film’s moral conflicts.

Technical Highlights

• Devi Sri Prasad’s background score emerges as the movie’s backbone, elevating pivotal moments and sustaining emotional momentum.

• Niketh Bommishetti’s cinematography captures the film’s contrasting worlds—from lavish boardrooms to the ragged streets—with visual flair.

Where It Trips
However, Kubera stumbles in pacing. At over two-and-a-half hours, the narrative often drags, testing audience patience. Tighter editing and a more focused screenplay could have preserved the film’s urgency and thematic clarity.

Verdict
While Kubera marks an admirable departure for Shekhar Kammula—and will appeal to viewers craving variety—the film’s languid pace dilutes its impact. Still, its inventive premise and powerhouse performances make it a worthy, if uneven, cinematic experiment.

Strengths:

• Original storyline involving beggars and corruption

• Powerful performances by Nagarjuna, Dhanush, and Rashmika

• Devi Sri Prasad’s compelling score

Weaknesses:

• Slow, overly lengthy screenplay

• Occasional lapses in editing tightness