Telugu cinema’s been having a rough go lately, and everyone’s looking at Sekhar Kammula’s Kubera to change the game. Set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025, this pan-South Indian flick is carrying some big hopes after recent duds like Thug Life and Bhairavam failed to get folks into theaters. With a killer cast and some serious buzz, Kuberaa might just be the spark the industry needs right now.
Sekhar Kammula, the guy behind feel-good hits like Anand and Happy Days, is stepping up with a star-packed lineup: Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh. That’s a mix that screams “blockbuster” for both Telugu and Tamil fans. The pre-release hype is real—the movie’s already raked in ₹40 crore for theatrical rights in the Telugu states and another ₹20 crore in Tamil Nadu. Not bad, right? Plus, single-screen theaters are reopening on release day, and with Hari Hara Veera Mallu getting pushed back, Kubera has a wide-open shot to make a splash.
There’s a lot to get excited about. Kammula’s known for his heartfelt stories, but this time he’s mixing in some action and mass appeal to go with his classy vibe. Fans on X are hyped, with some calling it a “game-changer” for Telugu movies, betting big on Dhanush’s star power and Kammula’s magic touch. Nagarjuna’s got his fans buzzing too—everyone’s curious to see how he’ll shine, and he might just pull in huge crowds on day one. Add Rashmika’s charm and Devi Sri Prasad’s music, and you’ve got a recipe for something big—if the story delivers.
But there’s a catch. The Telugu box office has been pretty quiet this year, with even big films flopping hard. Kuberaa is a long one, clocking in at 3 hours and 15 minutes with a U/A certificate, which has some folks worried. Can it keep people hooked for that long? Kammula’s stuff usually has heart, but if the pacing drags, it might lose folks—especially since attention spans aren’t what they used to be. The trailer’s dropping soon, and it’s gonna be make-or-break for setting the vibe. A good one could mean a crazy opening weekend, which the industry is dying for.
Here’s the big question: can Kubera really “save” Telugu cinema? Theaters have been struggling lately—not just here, but everywhere, as Rana Daggubati pointed out recently. Kammula’s got a great track record—his dubbed films have done well in the Telugu states, and his 2023 hit SIR showed he can pack houses in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. But this feels like a bigger test, with producers and theater owners counting on this one to get people back to the big screen.
Kuberaa has all the ingredients to break the slump: stars, buzz, and a trusted director. If it hits the mark, it could be a total game-changer, bringing in the crowds and giving Telugu cinema a much-needed win. But if it doesn’t, it’s another setback for an industry that’s already feeling the heat. We’ll find out on June 20—fingers crossed Kammula and his crew can pull it off!
Source: M9 News