Dhanush's Kuberaa Underperforms In Tamil Nadu, Director Sekhar Kammula Reacts

News18

29-06-2025

Last Updated:
Kuberaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula, excels at the Telugu box office but underperforms in Tamil Nadu despite Dhanush's lead role.
While Kuberaa has been making waves at the Telugu box office, the film's performance in Tamil Nadu hasn't matched expectations even with Dhanush in the lead. Director Sekhar Kammula, who helmed this ambitious bilingual project, has now weighed in on the mixed regional response.
'In Telugu it has been exceptional. Even the overseas Tamil circuit is going well. But the domestic Tamil market, I was expecting lot more, and I hope it would catch up, because the word of mouth is strong but it is not converting into box office," Kammula told OTTplay.
Shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, Kuberaa was crafted with a pan-India vision. Yet, the buzz in Tamil Nadu hasn't translated into ticket sales. Kammula remains optimistic, especially given the appreciation for Dhanush's performance as a beggar, a role that, he believes, few actors would dare to take up.
'I was in awe of him and thought it was a moment of pride. So, I thought it would catch on in Tamil and really hope that it happens. It is not common that this kind of stories come up often and people take up such roles. I thought it is a special thing and I have a hope," he added.
Kuberaa is a 2025 Indian crime drama directed by Sekhar Kammula, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Chaithanya Pingali. Backed by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP and Amigos Creations, the film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. The ensemble cast features Dhanush in the lead, alongside Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, and Dalip Tahil. The project was officially announced in June 2021, with principal photography taking place between February and April 2024. The title Kuberaa was revealed in March 2024.
The film's technical crew includes Devi Sri Prasad as the music composer, Niketh Bommireddy handling cinematography, editing by Karthika Srinivas, and production design by the acclaimed Thota Tharani. Kuberaa hit theatres worldwide on June 20, 2025. The plot follows four individuals, including a beggar, who are handpicked to serve as benamis in a high-stakes corporate scam. Dhanush plays the role of Deva Kallam.
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