“Matka,” released on November 14, 2024, is a Telugu gangster drama directed by Karuna Kumar, featuring Varun Tej in the lead role. The film also stars Meenakshi Chaudhary, Nora Fatehi, Ajay Ghosh, John Vijay, Satyam Rajesh, Kishore, Naveen Chandra, and others. The music is composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, with cinematography by A. Kishore Kumar. The film is produced by Vijender Reddy Teegala and Rajani Talluri.

Plot Summary:

The story follows Vasu (Varun Tej), a young man who arrives in Visakhapatnam as a refugee from Burma. After unintentionally committing a murder, he is sent to juvenile prison. There, the warden Narayana Murthy (P. Ravi Shankar) trains him to become a fighter. Upon release, Vasu works at a coconut vendor’s stall owned by Appala Reddy (Ajay Ghosh). Through a series of events, he rises to become a leader in the Purna Market, eventually establishing himself as a prominent figure in the “Matka” gambling world. The narrative explores his journey from a refugee to a powerful gangster, highlighting the challenges he faces and the government’s efforts to apprehend him.

Review:

“Matka” attempts to present an underdog story of a young man rising from poverty to power. However, the film struggles to engage the audience due to a lack of compelling conflict and depth in character development. The central theme revolves around the “Matka” gambling game, but the film fails to delve into the intricacies of this world, resulting in a lack of excitement and thrill. The protagonist’s journey from childhood to becoming a leader in the underworld appears cinematic but lacks authenticity. The film does not effectively portray the challenges faced by the character, making it difficult for the audience to connect with his struggles.

Varun Tej delivers a commendable performance, especially in portraying the character’s evolution over time. His portrayal of Vasu in different age groups is noteworthy. However, the film’s narrative does not provide sufficient depth to the character, making it challenging for the audience to fully empathize with his journey. The supporting cast, including Meenakshi Chaudhary as Sujatha and Nora Fatehi as Sofia, have limited screen presence and their roles do not significantly contribute to the storyline.

The film’s direction by Karuna Kumar lacks innovation, and the screenplay does not offer fresh perspectives on the genre. The portrayal of the “Matka” game and its impact on society is superficial, and the film does not effectively convey the consequences associated with it. The music by G.V. Prakash Kumar is a highlight, and the cinematography by A. Kishore Kumar complements the period setting. The production values are high, but they do not compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings.

Strengths:

• Varun Tej’s performance.
• Some action sequences.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of a fresh storyline.
• Unengaging portrayal of the “Matka” game.
• Weak second half and ending.

Conclusion:

“Matka” is a gangster drama that fails to captivate the audience due to its predictable narrative and lack of depth in character development. Despite Varun Tej’s strong performance, the film does not offer a compelling cinematic experience.