Director: Karuna Kumar
Cast: Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Kishore, Naveen Chandra
Run Time: 2 hours 39 minutes
Release Date: 14 November 2024
Genre: Period Crime Thriller
After struggling to deliver a solid hit in recent times, Varun Tej is back with Matka, a commercial entertainer directed by Karuna Kumar. Co-starring Meenakshi Chaudhary, this film is jointly produced by SRT Entertainments and Vaira Entertainments. With its promotional content building curiosity among the audience, Matka finally hit the screens today. Let’s dive into how the film fared.
Story:
Vasu (Varun Tej), a young refugee from Burma, arrives in Visakhapatnam with his mother, escaping the conflicts in his homeland. At a refugee camp In the city, he befriends Prasad (‘Satyam’ Rajesh). However, a minor fight during that time lands Vasu in prison as a child. After serving his sentence, he is released and begins working at Appal Reddy’s (Ajay Ghosh) coconut shop in Poorna Market.While working there, Vasu falls love with Sujata (Meenakshi Chaudhary),
As he navigates his life, Vasu’s bold actions catch the attention of Nani Babu (Kishore), a local politician. With Nani Babu’s support, Vasu starts illegal betting world of Matka. However, Vasu’s illegal activities put him on the radar of dangerous enemies. Don KB (John Vijay) becomes a bitter rival, and as Vasu’s power grows, so does the attention of law enforcement. CBI officer Sahu (Naveen Chandra) is assigned to investigate Vasu and bring him down.
How did Vasu rise to become the Matka King? What exactly is Matka, and how does it operate? What roles do MP Nani Babu, Sophia, and KB play in Vasu’s dangerous journey? Can CBI officer Sahu succeed in bringing Vasu to justice, or will Vasu continue to outsmart everyone? To find out the answers, watch the thrilling journey unfold on the big screen!
Performance:
Varun Tej gives a commendable performance as Vasu, capturing the character’s intensity and growth. His portrayal of the different stages of Vasu’s life is noteworthy, especially in the way he delivers dialogue with power and precision. Meenakshi Chaudhary, as Sujata, is underutilized in a de-glamorized role with limited screen time. Nora Fatehi shines in her brief appearances, not just for her glamour but also in the way she adds value to her scenes. Supporting actors like Kishore, John Vijay, and Naveen Chandra deliver decent performances in their respective roles.
Technical Aspects:
The film’s technical department stands out in a few areas. G.V. Prakash Kumar’s background score is not upto the mark particularly in some of the more intense sequences. The cinematography captures the mood of the film well, adding a visual appeal to the setting. The art direction deserves special mention, as the period setting and overall atmosphere were effectively brought to life. However, the songs fail to leave an impression, and the film’s pacing drags in certain parts.
Analysis:
While Matka presents an intriguing backdrop of illegal gambling, the core storyline offers little that is new to Telugu audiences. The commercial crime drama formula is familiar, and the execution lacks the novelty or surprises that could engage viewers. The first half sets up the premise but struggles to gain momentum, while the second half feels predictable with underwhelming twists. The concept of Matka betting is interesting, but the way it is integrated into the story fails to leave a strong impact.
Positives:
Varun Tej’s performance
Interesting concept of Matka betting
Production design
Negatives:
Predictable storyline
Underutilization of key characters
Slow pacing, especially in the second half
Lackluster songs
Verdict:
Matka is a routine commercial crime drama that tries to capitalize on Varun Tej’s performance and an interesting premise. However, the familiar storyline and lack of engaging twists make it a predictable watch. Fans of Varun Tej might enjoy his transformation, but the film doesn’t offer much else to keep audiences hooked.
Rating: 2/5
