- The Beggar’s Journey From Tramp to Kuberaa
- ‘Kubera’: A Powerful Portrait by Dhanush
- Humanity as the Core of These Stories
Article Today, Hyderabad: Cinema, at its best, is not just entertainment—it is emotion, reflection, and social critique. While many films choose to entertain, a few dig deeper into the human condition. Stories of The beggar’s Journey on the big screen, from Charlie Chaplin’s classic characters to Dhanush’s recent performance in Kuberaa, have struck a chord with audiences. These characters often represent resilience, humanity, and an unspoken cry for dignity.
Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Tramp’: A Universal Symbol
Charlie Chaplin’s iconic character ‘The Tramp’ remains a timeless symbol of poverty wrapped in humour and hope. In films like City Lights and The Gold Rush, Chaplin combined silent comedy with raw emotion. His portrayal of a homeless man’s life—with both joy and sorrow—moved audiences worldwide. Telugu-speaking viewers, too, embraced this universal character, finding in him a reflection of everyday struggles and kindness.
‘Bichagadu’: A Millionaire’s Emotional Sacrifice
In 2016, Tamil actor Vijay Antony stunned audiences with Bichagadu, a story of a millionaire who lives as a beggar for 48 days to save his dying mother. His emotional journey, filled with hardship and silent endurance, deeply moved Telugu audiences as well. The dubbed version resonated across the region. Antony’s natural performance highlighted the dignity of sacrifice and the emotional world of society’s most ignored people.
‘Traffic Signal’: Harsh Realities of Mumbai Streets
Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2007 Hindi film Traffic Signal presented an unflinching look at life on the streets of Mumbai. It portrayed the complex network of those living by begging near traffic lights. The film, featuring Kunal Khemu and Neetu Chandra, brought attention to exploitation, vulnerability, and the unseen economy of the streets. It went on to win national awards and also found a Telugu audience through its dubbed version.
‘Bloody Beggar’: A Darkly Comic Twist
Released in 2024, the Tamil film Bloody Beggar added dark humour to the narrative of homelessness. Actor Kavin played a lazy and deceptive beggar in this black comedy directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. With unexpected turns and a sharp edge of satire, the film explored the hidden humour in desperation. Kavin’s effortless performance made the character both quirky and thought-provoking.
‘Kuberaa’: A Powerful Portrait by Dhanush
The most recent entry in this lineage is Kuberaa (2025), directed by Sekhar Kammula. Dhanush plays Deva, a physically challenged beggar living in Mumbai’s slums. His journey from the streets to the oil fields is both emotional and realistic. With restrained intensity, Dhanush presents a character that is not just a victim, but a challenger to the system. The film’s cinematography by Niketh Bommi Reddy and music by Devi Sri Prasad lift it further, adding visual and emotional depth.
Humanity as the Core of These Stories
These films do more than narrate the lives of the poor. They speak about injustice, social inequality, and the quiet strength of the marginalized. From Chaplin’s silent expressions to Dhanush’s silent rebellion, beggar characters have evolved on screen—but their message remains: humanity matters. Films like Kubera remind us that those on the margins are not just victims—they are heroes with stories worth telling.
