Kuberaa (2025)

Kuberaa runs 181 minutes, and you feel a good chunk of them, mostly in scenes that make the same point twice. Sekhar Kammula has a strong idea at the center. Neeraj Mitra, a Mumbai tycoon played by Jim Sarbh, has found oil in the Bay of Bengal and needs to move a mountain of money quietly, so former CBI officer Deepak Tej, played by Nagarjuna, recruits beggars from across the country as the names on shell companies. Deva, a gentle, trusting man from Tirupati, is one of those names. Dhanush plays him with total sincerity, and once Deva figures out he isn’t meant to survive the scheme and runs, the film finds its heart. Rashmika Mandanna’s Sameera, stranded in Mumbai, joins him on the run. The gap between Neeraj’s suitcases of cash and Deva’s empty pockets is the film’s real argument, and it’s a sharp one. The climax feels rushed after all that patience. A 6.2 because the message lands even when the pacing doesn’t. $27.08 says you check your bank statement tonight for companies you’ve never heard of.

What works: Dhanush is moving as Deva, and the film’s take on wealth, greed and who gets used by the powerful has real bite.

What doesn’t: At 181 minutes it’s bloated, several scenes repeat the same point, and the climax feels rushed after all that patient buildup.

Who it’s for: Dhanush fans, and anyone who likes a crime drama with a conscience and has a long evening to spare.