'Kuberaa' First Reviews: Nagarjuna's Performance Packs A Punch, Dhanush Delivers His 'Career-Best'?

Sekjat Kammula’s much-anticipated pan-India socio-political thriller, Kuberaa, has officially hit the theatres, and early reviews are already pouring in. The film, starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni and Rashmika Mandanna, was released on June 20, 2025, and has started making waves among cinema lovers and critics alike. With its intense storytelling and exceptional performances, Kuberaa communicates a powerful social message, and the film is already being hailed as one of the most engaging releases of 2025. Here is a round-up of what early viewers and critics are saying about Dhanush and Nagarjuna's latest Pan India release. 

Kuberaa tells a tale of poverty, power, and redemption

The plot of Kuberaa is centred on a battle between wealth and greed and the various struggles of the oppressed class. The story follows 'Deepak' (played by Nagarjuna), a composed and calculating CBI officer who manipulates the city's beggars and uses them as pawns for the country's wealthiest tycoons. This ultimately results in an unprecedented scam of Rs. 1 crore. 

'Deva' (played by Dhanush), a physically challenged beggar, is one of those exploited individuals. His journey from being a victim of the scam to rising as a disruptor is what forms the backbone of the film. On the other hand, ‘Sameera’ (played by Rashmika Mandanna) becomes the anchor who grounds the story’s emotional depth. Her role, however, remains largely unexplored.

The internet hails Kuberaaa as Dhanush’s career-best performance

Merely hours after the film’s release, Kuberaaa is turning out to be a theatrical success. Fans and critics alike are praising the story for its originality, social relevance, and thought-provoking premise. The layered storytelling, slow-burn build-up, and emotional payoff have particularly struck a chord with viewers.

Netizens are already calling Kuberaaa the ‘best Telugu movie of 2025’. Fans and critics on X (formerly Twitter) cannot stop praising Dhanush’s performance. Many have called it the finest of his career, claiming that the actor has impeccably captured the vulnerability of ‘Deva’ along with his fierce avatar. One X user wrote, "First half starts grounded, ends with fireworks. Dhanush’s slow build-up into Deva is brilliantly done. Sekhar Kammula keeps the mystery alive throughout. #Kuberaa interval has set the bar.”

Speaking of the director, Kammula, a third user praised his balanced storytelling without any over-the-top dialogues, and that’s what packs a more realistic punch. The netizen wrote, "No over-the-top mass dialogues, just real punches. Every conflict in #Kuberaa feels personal and earned. Sekhar Kammula writes with emotion, not excess. That’s what makes it work.” 

Viewers are equally in awe of Rashmika’s acting, and raved about Jim Sarbh’s portrayal of ‘Neeraj Mithra’, a powerful billionaire antagonist. Online film critic, Ramesh Bala, rated it 4.5/5 and tweeted:

“The first half of the film is good, but the life and soul of the film is the second half… Dhanush delivered a memorable performance. He just lived in the role of a beggar. Nagarjuna’s subtle and realistic acting is first-rate. Rashmika got one more memorable role and did an excellent job. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score is superb. Sekhar Kammula’s writing, execution and direction worked out so well. Overall, Kuberaa has a blockbuster written all over it.”

What are critics saying?

Kuberaa seems to have cast a lasting impression on film critics as well. Dhanush’s 51st film has struck a chord, and actor-critic Kuldeep Gadhvi has rated the film a solid 4.5 stars out of 5. He highlighted Dhanush’s intense and restrained performance, calling it national award-worthy, and Nagarjuna’s role as his best performance in recent years.

Moneycontrol has rated Kuberaa a 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it a ‘fresh and emotionally resonant social drama that works on multiple levels.’ As of now, Kuberaa has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google. Filmmaker Sai Pallavi and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have already praised it to be a grand box office success.

Final word

If you are planning to see the iconic Dhanush-Nagarjuna duo in action, Kuberaa might just be the perfect addition to your bucket list this weekend. With rave reviews pouring in from fans and critics alike, this highly anticipated pan-India release is already shaping up to be one of the standout Telugu hits of 2025.

So, is Kuberaa going to be on your watchlist this weekend? Let us know.

Read Next: Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Rumoured Boyfriend, Raj Nidimor's Ex-Wife Drops A Cryptic Note About Trust

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)