Telugu Funda’s Reveal of the Basic Plot:
As a child, Vasu (Varun Tej) arrived in Vizag with his mother as a refugee from Burma. After he stabs someone to death as a juvenile, he is convicted and, once in the jail, his guts impress the jailor. Six years later, roughly in 1964, in his early 20s, Vasu starts to rule the roost from a slum in the port city. From political bigwigs to local rowdies, they are either in awe of his daredevilry or are intimidated by his guts. But when Vasu spreads the culture of gambling across India, consequences await him. Or, so we think.
Telugu Funda’s take on the Performances:
- Varun Tej: He is better than how Vishwak Sen was in ‘Gangs of Godavari’, although ‘Matka’ is as ill-written as Sen’s movie was. In a particular scene, he gets to deliver a 3-minute monologue in the form of a story. He is very good at it.
- The female artists: Meenakshi Chaudhary doesn’t leave any impact. Nora Fatehi, as the girlfriend of a rich man, delivers a plasticky performance. Saloni and others are good, though. The artist who played an investigator from Delhi is good.
- The bad guys: From ‘Kannada’ Kishore to others, none of them is nuanced.
- The supporting artists: Sathyam Rajesh, Ajay Ghosh and others pass muster.
Telugu Funda’s take on the Technical Departments:
- Music: GV Prakash Kumar’s songs are lifeless except for the ‘Rama Talkies’ song, which is successfully spoiled by Karuna Kumar’s uncreative picturization.
- Cinematography: No clap-worthy shots but the framing is okay.
- Production Design: Generic.
- Production Values: As the first or second most expensive film in Varun Tej’s career, the effort shows.
Telugu Funda’s take on the Merits:
The final 30 minutes make for a passable watch. Here, too, some plot-turns are utterly predictable. The climax is simplistic and doesn’t even try to raise the stakes. Thankfully, there is no hint of a sequel.
Telugu Funda’s take on the Demerits:
Most of the plot points are run-of-the-mill. Vasu’s stamina is unreal. Even if you don’t want to raise logic-based questions about his unchallenged rise, the film would still come across as way too conveniently written.
Quite a few films suffering from the ‘KGF’ hangover have forgotten how to mesmerize the audience with the violent nature of the demonic hero. Vasu is barely wild. He is barely whimsical. What makes him another Rocky Bhai? Of course, in the film’s defence, you could argue that he doesn’t deepen the stakes beyond a point. He is not as ambitious and carnage-obsessed as Rocky Bhai. But, even here, your argument would fall flat if you consider how easily he handles the threat from the PM herself.
Tollywood’s acclaimed directors make that one good film. Thereafter, they obsess themselves with formulas. Karuna Kumar’s ‘Palasa 1978’ made him seem like another Pa.Ranjith. ‘Sridevi Soda Centre’ was a casting nightmare. ‘Matka’, with its colourless characterizations and done-to-death situations, is even worse.
Telugu Funda’s Verdict:
‘Matka’ is dull. It doesn’t punish you with its ideas, but it bores you without fail.
Rating: 2
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