Kuberaa Review: Dhanush, Najarjuna’s Massy Thriller Comes With Good Performances But….

Led by Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Jim Sarbh and Rashmika Mandana, the film explore the common struggles of poor and its vast dissimilarities with the rich. It also talks about the system’s injustice towards the poor while also exploring how the poor struggle at the hands of the faith they are dealt but also at the hands of the rich and the system. While all three characters have some kind of dire situation that turns them into beggar for their love, peace or greed, the film puts the rich into a different category.

The film, follows a beggar Deva played by Dhanush from Tirupati who is picked up by Neeraj played by Jim Sarbh, the owner of a global empire to turn his black money into white. Along with Deva, there are also four other beggars picked up as part of the scam. The one helping Neeraj is none other than a former CBI officer Deepak played by Nagarjuna who was cheated by the system and politicians into jail. To free himself of the decade long sentence and to bring peace and money to his family, Deva strikes a deal with Neeraj to help him crack a deal with the politicians paying them 1000s of crores in black and white money.

As a former CBI officer, Deepak helps Neeraj move the money around without getting in trouble with the law. But things turn complicated when Neeraj starts killing people, calling them collateral damage or lose ends, so they don’t get caught. This doesn’t sit well with Deva, who is too lucky and smart for his own good. Get finds a way to get away from Neeraj’s goons. For the rest of the runtime, the films explores how Deepak sets things right, how Deva gets away and if he does with a clean conscience. As Telugu films often do, this one too puts its heroes on a pedestals turning them into heroes of social justice, but the plot isn’t on their side this time.

SEE ALSO: Sitare Zameen Par Review: Aamir Khan’s Comedy Drama Preaches And Teaches Whole Heartedly

Directed and co-written by Sekhar Kammula, the film’s first half focuses on Deva’s helplessness along with his luck and smart nature. Meanwhile, the second half attempts to explore his smart nature, but fails to do as it doesn’t bring much justice to the story of the injustice done to its character. Plenty of plot holes about the law and the motivation of the character also undermines the impact of the storyline. While it is a righteous and unexplored point of view, the second half doesn’t quite bring the all that is needed for a massy film.

Nagarjuna, Dhanush and Jim Sarbh have some of the best moments in the film with their performance. Dhanush without a doubt gives some of his best scene in his recent releases, but the just as much undermines Rashmika’s character. Sameera does have some good moments but they she often feels an add on which could have been replaced by any other supporting character. Meanwhile, the film talks about justice, law and social vindication but none is achieved at the end of the film.

SEE ALSO: We Were Liars Season 1 Review: Thriller Drama Is Built Like Summer I Turned Pretty But Is It Enough?

Overall, while the subject is intriguing the writing doesn’t keep up with the intensity of the performances and the story. Meanwhile, apart from the performances, one of the best things include the background score of the film.

Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India