Varun Tej’s new film “Matka” is a period gangster drama, set in the backdrop of the 1950s. Varun Tej, who has failed to impress the audience with his recent films, is seen in a new avatar this time. In the film, he plays the role of Vasu, who comes to Visakhapatnam as a refugee from Burma and gradually enters the world of crime. During a visit to Mumbai, he is introduced to the world of Matka gambling and then brings the game to Andhra and becomes the Matka King.
The film’s setup and production design capture the old-world atmosphere well, which creates some hope initially. However, the pace of the story is slow and predictable. The story drags a lot in the first half and fails to engage the audience. The biggest strength of the film is Varun Tej’s performance, who has brought seriousness and strength to his character. Director Karuna Kumar has taken up a good subject, but could not present it effectively. “Matka” provides entertainment for a few moments, but overall the experience remains incomplete and dull.
Aspect
Details
Movie Name
Matka
Release Date
November 14, 2024
Language
Telugu
Genre
Period Gangster Drama
Director
Karuna Kumar
Producers
Vijender Reddy Teegala, Rajani Talluri
Lead Cast
Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Nora Fatehi
Supporting Cast
Kishore, Naveen Chandra, Ajay Ghosh, and others
Music Director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer
A. Kishor Kumar
Editor
Karthika Srinivas
Production Design
Realistic depiction of 1950s-1970s era
Storyline Summary
A refugee from Burma, Vasu rises in Vizag’s crime world and becomes the Matka King, only to face a downfall when the Indian government targets him.
Highlights
Varun Tej’s performance, period setting, production design
Drawbacks
Predictable storyline, dull first half, lack of strong thrills
Overall Rating
2.75/5 (as per 123telugu.com)
Platform
Theatrical release
Matka Story
The story of Matka begins in the late 1950s, when Vasu (Varun Tej) arrives in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) as a refugee from Burma. After initial struggles, Vasu enters the world of crime and gradually becomes a big businessman. His life takes a new turn when he visits Mumbai and comes across a gambling game called ‘Matka’.
Inspired by the game of Matka, Vasu starts it in Vizag and soon becomes a king in the business – people call him the “Matka King”. But with success comes danger. As Vasu’s empire expands, the Indian government begins to monitor his activities and his business comes under threat.
The rest of the story revolves around Vasu’s attempt to save his empire and the consequences. Will Vasu lose everything, or will he rise once again?
Varun Tej has given a strong performance in the story, especially his performance as a gangster in the second half is quite impressive. However, the film’s screenplay feels dated and lacks momentum in the first half.
Matka is an average gangster drama that has some good moments, but it fails to keep the audience engaged for long. If you are a fan of Varun Tej, then this movie is worth watching once but other audiences should not expect too much from it.
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Matka is an average gangster drama film, in which Varun Tej’s performance remains the main attraction. The story of the film seems conventional and already seen, in which the lack of novelty and excitement is clearly felt. The slow pace and repetition of the first part may make the audience lose interest. However, the set design and old-fashioned portrayal is commendable. If you are a fan of gangster films or a fan of Varun Tej, then this film is worth watching once, but in terms of entertainment, this film does not live up to the expectations.
