Matka Telugu Movie Review & Rating

Rating: 2.75/5
Starring: Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Naveen Chandra, John Vijay, Satyam Rajesh, Ravi Shankar, Saloni.
Director: Karuna Kumar
Producers: Vaira Entertainments
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar

Mega Prince Varun Tej’s latest movie, Matka, directed by Karuna Kumar, is a gangster drama. Let’s take a look at the review.

Story:

Ten years after independence, young Vasu (Varun Tej) migrates to Vizagapatnam with his mother. How does Vasu’s life unfold from there? How do powerful locals like KB (John Vijay) and Nani (Kishore Kumar G) influence his life? How does Vasu come to invent the “Matka” gambling system, and what consequences follow? To find out, you’ll have to watch the movie.

Plus Points:

First and foremost, Varun Tej deserves mention. He continues to take on diverse roles, showing versatility regardless of past results. In Matka, he handles three different shades of his character convincingly. His body language and speech adapt well to each phase, and his emotional scene with his on-screen daughter is commendable.

Meenakshi Choudhary is well-suited to her role, and certain scenes between her and Varun are appealing. Other actors like Naveen Chandra, Ravi Shankar, Saloni, and John Vijay contribute decent performances, while Kishore Kumar and John Vijay, in negative roles, fit well. Nora Fatehi’s appearance in a key role adds a special touch, beyond just a song appearance. The director’s handling of Varun’s character is commendable, with a few intriguing scenes. The twists toward the climax are engaging.

Minus Points:

Although the theme has potential, some parts feel stretched as the story progresses, especially in the second half. Only a few elements connect with the audience, with limited entertainment throughout. The movie maintains a serious tone with excessive drama for a gangster film, and lacks high-energy moments. Some songs feel unnecessary and add to the dragged feeling. John Vijay’s role could have been stronger, and the climax feels underwhelming.

Technical Aspects:

Technically, Matka excels, with every rupee invested by the makers visible on screen. Visakhapatnam is depicted beautifully, and the set details and visual elements are impressive. GV Prakash’s score is effective, even if the songs don’t particularly stand out. A Kishore Kumar’s cinematography complements the film’s tone well, though Kartika Srinivas’s editing could have used a quicker pace.

Director Karuna Kumar, who saw success with his first film, brings an interesting background to Matka, especially in designing Varun’s character. The attention to detail is notable, but the film lacks consistent engagement, with parts of the story feeling disconnected. While the philosophical elements and storytelling are good, they aren’t impactful enough in the movie’s overall pace.

Verdict:

Overall, Matka is a sincere attempt by Varun Tej, who once again impresses in his role. However, while the character is compelling, the film as a whole doesn’t fully engage or excite the audience. Except for a few impactful scenes, the movie has a slow, steady pace. It’s best to approach Matka with low expectations.