National Award-winning actor Dhanush revealed that his decision to star in the upcoming pan-Indian film Kuberaa stemmed entirely from his admiration for director Sekhar Kammula, whom he described as “a fantastic human being” and “the reason” he took up the project. Speaking at the launch event of the film’s first single, “Pippi Pippi Dum Dum Dum,” held in Mumbai on Tuesday, Dhanush was candid about his experience working on the film and the impact Sekhar Kammula had on his choice.
“I heard I would have to stand in the sun and do heavy research for this role… All that turned out to be lies,” he quipped with a smile. “All I had to do was follow my director. Sekhar sir is brilliant—he taught me the nuances and made everything incredibly easy.”
Dhanush also spoke about the emotional connection he developed with the film and its characters:
“Kuberaa is a very, very special film for me—something that’s very close to my heart. It’s a very different character from what I’ve played before, and I enjoyed the challenge thoroughly,” he said.
The actor praised Kammula not just for his directorial finesse but also for his integrity and warmth:
“You meet many people in this industry, but Sekhar sir is someone you don’t forget. He’s so pure, so honest. The moment he narrated the script—just for 20 minutes—I felt the energy, the positivity, and the sincerity. That’s why I said yes.”Dhanush also shared that shooting for Kuberaa was a learning experience, particularly due to the unique settings: “We shot in dump yards, inside garbage trucks… every single moment taught me something new.”
Directed by Sekhar Kammula, Kuberaa boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Nagarjuna, Jim Sarbh, and Rashmika Mandanna. The film marks Kammula’s first collaboration with Dhanush, and anticipation is high among fans and critics alike.
On the technical front, the film features music by Devi Sri Prasad, fresh off recent musical successes. Niketh Bommi handles cinematography, with Ramakrishna Sabbani and Monika Nigotre in charge of production design. The script is co-written by Chaithanya Pingali, and costumes are designed by Kavya Sriram and Poorvaa Jain. Kuberaa is being produced by Suniel Narang and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao under the Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP banner.
