Kuberaa’s Cross-Lingual Conundrum: Sekhar Kammula Reflects on Tamil Box Office Struggles Despite Strong Buzz

Despite a powerful lead performance by Dhanush and a compelling social thriller narrative, director Sekhar Kammula’s bilingual film Kuberaa is facing a puzzling disconnect in Tamil Nadu. While the film has been performing exceptionally well in Telugu-speaking regions and overseas Tamil circuits, its domestic Tamil box office numbers have fallen short of expectations. Kammula, in a recent interview, opened up about the disparity and his hopes for a turnaround.

 

Here’s a detailed look at the film’s performance, director’s insights, and the broader implications for bilingual cinema.

 

Performance Snapshot and Director’s Observations

 

- Kuberaa was released on June 20, 2025, simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu  

- The film has earned over Rs 48.7 crore in Telugu markets but only Rs 18.38 crore in Tamil Nadu in its first week  

- Sekhar Kammula expressed surprise at the underwhelming Tamil response, stating that word of mouth is strong but not translating into ticket sales  

- He praised Dhanush’s portrayal of a beggar as one of the most daring and nuanced performances in Indian cinema  

- Kammula remains hopeful that the film will gain traction in Tamil Nadu as more viewers discover its emotional and thematic depth  

 

Plot and Ensemble Cast

 

- Kuberaa is a social drama thriller exploring themes of capitalism, financial fraud, and moral ambiguity  

- The story follows Deva Kallam (played by Dhanush), a beggar who becomes one of four individuals used as benamis in a high-stakes corporate scam  

- The ensemble cast includes Nagarjuna as a former CBI agent, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh as a corrupt tycoon, and Dalip Tahil  

- The film is produced by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP and Amigos Creations, with music by Devi Sri Prasad and cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy  

 

Challenges and Market Dynamics

 

- Kuberaa’s Tamil release clashed with Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which may have split audience attention  

- Despite being shot simultaneously in Tamil, the film’s promotional push was reportedly stronger in Telugu markets  

- Analysts suggest that regional viewing preferences and genre expectations may have influenced the Tamil audience’s initial response  

- The film is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run, potentially boosting its reach  

 

As Kuberaa continues its theatrical journey, Sekhar Kammula’s reflections highlight the complexities of bilingual filmmaking in India—where cultural nuance, timing, and audience psychology can make or break a film’s regional fortunes.

 

Sources: OTTplay, Hindustan Times, Times Now, News18, NewsBytes June 2025