Movie Review: Matka is a disappointing, wasted betting kingpin story
Movie: Matka
Cast: Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chowdhury, Norah Fatehi, Ajay Ghosh, Kishore and Naveen Chandra
Director: Karuna Kumar
Rating: 1 / 5 stars
After flops like 'Operation Valentine'. Young actor Varun Tej plays a mafia kingpin in his latest release "Matka. But it turns into a disappointing fare for its lackluster screenplay and few half-baked characters including heroine Meenakshi Chowdhury. Of course, Varun worked on his looks and justified a retro role but couldn't save a tedious watch. The rise of the hero in the film, from rags to riches, is faster than 2-minute noodles, which is the film's big problem. Probably, director Karuna Kumar would have pitched a concept-based film inspired by real-life 'Matka King' Ratan Khatri who was notorious from the 1960s to 80' and revolutionized the gambling and lottery system and minted money. But the director ended up making a cliched hero-centric film to take the sting of this potential crime story. Maybe, in real life, Ratan had a meteoric rise but in movies, it has to be handled differently by generating drama between characters and also by marking both highs and lows to make an engrossing movie.
After a troubled childhood, the protagonist turning into a dark character is a bit logical but going on without regret and redemption makes the film soulless. The film has the potential to explore the underbelly of society but no such honest attempts were made, Even the love story between Varun and Meenakshi is just rushed into without giving proper space for their love to evolve and blossom. The Prime Minister of those times enquiring about this 'Matka King' and his business tactics, had some reason, but it was poorly handled and goes for a toss.
The film tracks the childhood of Varun Tej and the struggles he undergoes. He even gets arrested in a murder case but he becomes more stubborn and fearless. Out of jail, he works as a daily wage worker in Vizag. When he saves his owner( Ajay Ghosh), he becomes his partner. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Meenakshi Chaudhary and she also reciprocates. Watch in theatres, to know how he revolutionized the gambling business and tackled his rivals.
After playing an Air Force officer in 'Operation Valentine,' Varun Tej plays a dark role and puts in a good job in a multilayered role. Meenakshi Choudhury had a half-baked role so couldn't do justice to it. Norah Fatehi appears in an ill-defined role, while Naveen Chandra dons the CBI officer role. Ajay Ghosh and Kishore fit the bill.
Director Karuna Kumar who made some name with 'Palasa' couldn't repeat the magic with 'Sridevi Soda Centre'. He banked on the real-life character Ratan Khatri this time, but he couldn't bring all aspects of Matka Gambling and his half-measures are going to go against the film.
