Article Today, Hyderabad:
Some directors build a unique trust among audiences. When their films release, people walk into theatres with confidence. Shekhar Kammula is one such filmmaker. In his 25-year-long career, he made only a handful of films but earned his distinct style. After a four-year break, Kammula returns to the silver screen with Kubera, offering an experience that is both refreshing and intense. The film features stellar performances by Nagarjuna and Dhanush, who strongly support Kammula’s storytelling vision.
A Story Around a Major Oil Scam
Kubera revolves around a ₹1 lakh crore oil scam. Powerful ministers and officials plan to transfer the money using benami transactions. To execute this, they select four beggars from different parts of the country. One among them is Deva, played by Dhanush. These four men are completely illiterate and unaware of the conspiracy happening behind them. A former CBI officer, Deepak (Nagarjuna), supervises the entire network. Though Deepak is a man of integrity, he too becomes a pawn in this corporate system. The film unfolds the journey of how this scam progresses, the challenges it faces, and how Deva, a simple beggar in Tirupati, gets trapped in this dangerous web.
Shekhar Kammula’s Bold Shift in Style
Kammula is known for soft college romances and emotional family dramas. However, Kubera marks his bold departure from his usual style. He dives deep into the world of corruption, benami deals, and corporate manipulation. His research on the subject is evident throughout the narrative. From the opening scene, Kammula drives the story with speed and precision. The director effectively captures how the scam begins, how Deepak gets involved, and how the benami network operates.
Interestingly, Dhanush does not appear on screen for the first thirty minutes. Instead, Kammula focuses on the harsh realities of the beggars’ lives. Their struggles are presented with raw emotion. The Poi Ra Mama song touches a powerful emotional chord, highlighting their nameless existence. As the beggars’ lives change suddenly, joy and sorrow follow in quick succession. The story intensifies when Deepak realises that he has been used and when Deva attempts to escape. Rashmika’s role also grows significantly in the second half, moving beyond the typical heroine portrayal.
Remarkable Performances from Dhanush and Nagarjuna
Dhanush delivers one of the finest performances of his career. The moment Kammula told him, “You are a beggar from now,” Dhanush transformed completely into his character. Deva’s broken arm remains consistent throughout the film, a detail that Dhanush carefully maintained. Nagarjuna presents a fresh shade in his career. His portrayal of Deepak is controlled and impactful. Rashmika’s character gains surprising importance as the story progresses.
Jim, who plays the villain, is a new face for Telugu audiences. His look is stylish, and his villainy appears natural. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score elevates the storytelling, especially during the Poi Ra Mama track, which carries his signature style. The song Amma is likely to stay in the hearts of the audience. However, the film could have benefited from tighter editing to reduce the length and maintain sharper pacing.
