Matka (film)
| Matka | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Karuna Kumar[1] |
| Written by | Karuna Kumar |
| Based on | The life of Ratan Khetri |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | A. Kishor Kumar |
| Edited by | Karthika Srinivas |
| Music by | G. V. Prakash Kumar Bhavani Rakesh (1 song) |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 159 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Matka is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language period action thriller film written and directed by Karuna Kumar. It was produced by Vijender Reddy Teegala and Rajani Talluri, under Vyra Entertainments and SRT Entertainments, respectively. It stars Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Nora Fatehi (in her Telugu cinema debut) in the lead roles.[5][6][7] It is based on the life of the “Matka” gambler Ratan Khetri.[8][9]
Matka was released on 14 November 2024.[10] The film received negative reviews from critics, with criticism for the narration, dull screenplay and underperformed at the box office.[citation needed]
Premise
[edit]The story takes place between 1958 and 1982 in Visakhapatnam, based on real life incidents. It follows 24 years in the life of Vasu, a prominent Matka gambler and gangster. Vasu later becomes a gangster but unfortunately gets betrayed by his close associates. How does he regain his lost fame forms this story
Cast
[edit]- Varun Tej as 'Matka' Vasu
- Meenakshi Chaudhary as Sujatha, Vasu’s love interest
- Nora Fatehi as Sofia
- Saloni Aswani as Padma
- Satyam Rajesh as Sivudu
- Srinivasa Reddy as Satya
- P. Ravi Shankar as Narayana Murthy
- Kishore as Nani
- Sharath Lohithaswa as CBI Officer Rao
- Kriti Nandana as Vasu and Sujatha’s daughter
- Harish Uthaman as Parasuram
- Naveen Chandra as Sahu
- Ajay Ghosh as Chilla Appala Reddy
- Ravi Mariya as Reddiar
- John Vijay as KB
Production
[edit]Filming
[edit]Varun Tej's 14th film, initially referred to “VT14”, later officially titled as Matka.[11][12] On 27 July 2023, the muhurat shot for Matka was held in Hyderabad. The event was attended by notable film industry figures, including Allu Aravind, Dil Raju, Harish Shankar, and Maruthi.[13][14] On 14 December 2023 the makers has announced that they have commenced Principal photography.[15]
On 23 August 2024, the filmmakers announced that an extensive action sequence featuring Varun Tej was being filmed in Kakinada.[16] The final schedule of the movie is currently underway, with key sequences being shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. This schedule will mark the completion of the film's entire shooting.[17][18]
Marketing
[edit]On January 19, 2024, the makers has shared a 'Matka - Opening Bracket' glimpse from the film in celebration of Varun Tej's birthday,[19] followed by the release of the first look on 11 August 2024, showcasing Varun Tej.[20][21]
The teaser of Matka released on 5 October 2024 at Raj Yuvraj (G3) Theatre, Vijayawada.[22][23][24] According to The Times of India, the film had only grossed 2.11 crore INR on its opening weekend.[25]
Soundtrack
[edit]The soundtrack and background score were composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, with a song being composed by Bhavani Rakesh. Aditya Music acquired the audio rights.[26][27] The first single titled "Le Le Raja " was released on 14 October 2024.[28] The second single titled "Thassadiyya" was released on 24 October 2024.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Le Le Raja" | Bhaskarabhatla | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Neeti Mohan | 4:06 |
| 2. | "Thassadiyya" | Bhaskarabhatla | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Mano | 3:27 |
| 3. | "Rama Talkies Ramp" | Karuna Kumar | Bhavani Rakesh | Sai Deva Harsha | 2:52 |
| 4. | "Paralokam Paripodhama" | Lakshmi Bhoopal | G. V. Prakash Kumar | M. M. Manasi | 3:15 |
| 5. | "Emanukoni" | Anantha Sriram | G. V. Prakash Kumar | G. V. Prakash Kumar | 3:22 |
Release and reception
[edit]The film was released in cinemas in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam on 14 November 2024.[29][30][31]
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu panned the film, criticising the writing as flat and cliched despite the plot's potential, but praised Varun Tej's and Chaudhary's acting and the atmosphere of the setting.[32] Similarly, B. V. S. Prakash of the Deccan Chronicle gave the film one out of 5 stars, finding the screenplay, pacing and hero-centric characterisation to be major issues.[33] Subhash K. Jha found Varun Tej's performance " exuberant" but found the film uninspired.[citation needed]
The film began streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 5 December 2024 in Telugu and dubbed versions of Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada languages.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ "Varun Tej - Karuna Kumar film titled 'Matka'". The Hindu. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "ROOT STAR Varun Tej sport four different looka in his upcoming film Matka". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Nora Fatehi's BTS pics from 'Matka' sets surface online". The Statesman. 27 September 2024.
- ^ "'Matka': Varun Tej's film with director Karuna Kumar gets a release date". The Hindu.
- ^ "Varun Tej gears up for his action drama 'Matka'". Deccan Herald.
- ^ "Nora Fatehi to Make Her Telugu Film Debut with Varun Tej: Report". News 18. 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Nora Fatehi's Professionalism Wins Heart! Gears up for Matka's Shoot and IIFA 2024 Performance Despite Injury". Firstpost. 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej Shares Matka BTS". The Telegraph (India).
- ^ "Matka is a biopic on Ratan Khetri". Deccan Chronicle. 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Matka release date: Varun Tej exudes effortless elegance in new poster donning a retro avatar". Pinkvilla. October 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej's Pan-India Period Film #VT14 Now Titled 'Matka', Features Nora Fatehi and Meenakshi Chowdary". Outlook (Indian magazine). 27 July 2023.
- ^ "'Matka': Varun's Tej's pan-India film with Nora Fatehi gets a title". India Today. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Varun Tej, Nora Fatehi's upcoming Telugu film titled 'Matka'". Mid-Day. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Varun Tej-Karuna Kumar's Matka Officially Launched". Film Companion. 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Matka begins filming". Cinema Express. 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Varun Tej's Matka progressing its final schedule in Kakinada". Cinema Express. 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej's Pan India Movie Matka in Last Leg of Shooting; Film is Based on Matka King Ratan Khetri". Times Now. 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej's Matka locks a new release date, deets inside". OTT Play.
- ^ "'Matka' Opening Bracket: Makers share a glimpse of the Varun Tej starrer on his birthday". The Hindu. 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Matka First Look: पैन इंडिया है नोरा फतेही की नई फिल्म, नाम है मटका, जिसकी पहली झलक आई सामने". NDTV.
- ^ "Matka first look poster OUT: Varun Tej is all set to 'command and conquer' as 80s gangster in Karuna Kumar's directorial". Pinkvilla. 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Matka teaser: Varun Tej plays an ageing Matka King; Nora Fatehi, Meenakshi Chaudhary turn heads". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Matka Teaser: Varun Tej Plays a Deadly Gangster in This Period Drama, Nora Fatehi Shines Bright". News18 India. 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Matka teaser: Varun Tej is an invincible gangster in Karuna Kumar's action-thriller". India Today. 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej's 'Matka' turns out to be a disaster at the box office with only Rs 2 crore collection". The Times of India. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Varun Tej's Upcoming Film Matka Sells Audio Rights at Record Price. Deets Inside". News18 India. 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Aditya Music Acquires Music Rights of Varun Tej's Pan India Movie Matka". Times Now. 3 September 2024.
- ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/le-le-raja-nora-fatehi-shows-off-her-moves-in-retro-song-from-varun-tejs-matka-watch-101728904163458-amp.html
- ^ "'Matka' teaser: Varun Tej plays a Godfather-figure in this period actioner". The Hindu.
- ^ "Varun Tej's 'Matka' gets a release date!". The Times of India.
- ^ "Varun Tej starrer Matka set to release on November 14". Bollywood Hungama. October 2024.
- ^ Devi Dundoo, Sangeetha (14 November 2024). "'Matka' movie review: A sincere Varun Tej cannot salvage this boring drama". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ Prakash, B. V. S. (14 November 2024). "Movie Review: Matka is a disappointing, wasted betting kingpin story". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Varun Teja starrer 'Matka' OTT details are HERE: Find out when and where to watch". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
External links
[edit]- Matka at IMDb
- Matka at Bollywood Hungama
