Cast : Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Nora Fatehi, Kishore, Naveen Chandra, Ajay Ghosh etc.

Vasu (Varun Tej), arrives in Visakhapatnam with his mother as refugees. He begins working for a coconut vendor, and after helping his employer solve a major problem, he becomes a partner in the business. With the help of a powerful figure, Nani Babu (Kishore), Vasu's fortunes rise. However, aiming for greater success, he enters the world of illegal Matka gambling. By running it in a unique way, he becomes incredibly wealthy and gains the title of the country's top Matka King. But just when he thinks he has everything under control, unexpected troubles begin to surface. Will Vasu overcome these challenges, and where will his journey ultimately take him? The rest of the story reveals the twists and turns of his life.

Review:

Varun Tej delivers a standout performance as the Matka King, undoubtedly the highlight of the film. His portrayal of the character across different life stages is seamless, and his intense performance as a gangster in the second half of the film leaves a strong impression. Meenakshi Chaudhary, although given limited screen time, makes a memorable impact with her brief but effective presence.

The film's second half brings in some engaging drama and emotional moments, although there is room for them to be more impactful. Naveen Chandra shines in his role, but his character could have been explored further with more screen space.

Ajay Bhupathi delivers a solid performance, while a key moment is when Varun Tej's character takes a bold step against a betrayer in the Matka business. Nora Fatehi also leaves a lasting impression in her role, even with her limited screen time.

Matka falls short with its predictable and outdated storyline. The film follows the well-worn path of a man rising from humble origins to become a criminal mastermind, accumulating wealth and facing enemies -- a concept that's been explored countless times in cinema, offering no new perspective or twists.

The first half of the film particularly disappoints, as Vasu's transformation from a small-time crook to a powerful gangster feels sluggish and uninspired. The lack of suspense or excitement in the narrative leaves the audience disengaged, missing the thrills that typically drive such stories.

Unfortunately, the second half doesn't fare any better. The drama feels repetitive and lacks any gripping moments that might capture the audience's attention. There are no unexpected turns or emotional highs to propel the film forward, making it difficult for viewers to stay invested.

However, the film's production values stand out, with a realistic setting and impressive art direction that give the film an authentic feel. The visuals succeed in creating an immersive world, even if the story doesn't live up to expectations. GV Prakash's music, though, fails to elevate the film. Both the songs and background score are lackluster, with the latter feeling disconnected from the narrative and failing to evoke the necessary emotional depth.

While Karuna Kumar's dialogues add some sharpness to the film, the climax is weighed down by two unnecessary songs, further disrupting the film's pacing. Despite a potentially engaging premise, Matka misses the mark in delivering the thrills, drama, and excitement it promises, leaving it as a missed opportunity for an impactful cinematic experience.

Matka sets out with big aspirations but ultimately fails to deliver on its promise. Varun Tej puts in a commendable performance, yet the film is weighed down by sluggish pacing and a formulaic storyline. The lack of exciting twists and thrills leaves the movie feeling flat, preventing it from fully realizing its potential.