‘Matka’ Movie Review: Critics Praise Varun Tej’s Performance in Karuna Kumar’s ‘Predictable’ Gangster Drama

Matka, written and directed by Karuna Kumar, released in theatres today, November 14. The film stars Varun Tej in the lead, with Meenakshi Chaudhary and Nora Fatehi in pivotal roles. Produced by Vyra Entertainments and SRT Entertainments, it has opened to mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Tej’s performance in this ‘predictable’ gangster drama. ‘Matka’ Trailer: Varun Tej Battles the Underworld Mafia in Karuna Kumar’s Power-Packed Crime Drama (Watch Video).

Matka showcases Varun Tej portraying the protagonist both as a youngster and a middle-aged man. It spans a 24-year journey of his life, featuring multiple transformations and different get-ups. Released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada, Matka has sparked interest among audiences. Let’s check out the reviews shared by critics on this Varun Tej-starrer.

Watch the Trailer of ‘Matka’ Movie Below:

Gulte.com: “Matka is a period drama of a determined man who grows from rags to riches but with cliched scenes from the beginning till the end. The variation in Varun Tej’s looks from zero to becoming a gangster flaunts the effort. That goes vain with the storytelling is regular with predictable episodes with the incidents in the timeline.”

Oneindia: “While Matka boasts a strong lead performance from Varun Tej and a decent period setup, the film struggles to maintain interest. The story, though inspired by real-life incidents, falls into a predictable and clichéd narrative that fails to captivate.”

Telugu One: “Varun Tej has delivered his career best performance in terms of body language, dialogue delivery and looks. He gave his best to each and every scene. Matka ends up being an uninteresting and disengaging predictable gangster flick. “

Bizz Buzz: “The story’s pacing is sluggish, with familiar scenes that add little excitement. Despite Varun Tej’s varied appearances to depict Vasu’s transformation, the lack of engaging storytelling and character depth makes the journey feel repetitive and uninspired.”

The Hans India: “Varun Tej shines in his role, delivering a nuanced performance that captures Vasu's complex evolution. Meenakshi Chaudhary impresses with her grace, while Nora Fatehi brings a glamorous touch. The supporting cast, including SaloniAswani and Satyam Rajesh, provide solid performances that complement the lead actors. Each character adds depth to the film, making the story more immersive.”

Matka is set in Visakhapatnam, spanning the period from 1958 to 1982, and is based on real-life events. The film chronicles 24 years in the life of Vasu, who becomes a significant figure in the world of Matka gambling.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 14, 2024 02:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).