The eagerly awaited trailer for Matka, a period crime-action film featuring South Indian star Varun Tej, has finally been released, sparking excitement among fans across the country. Set against the backdrop of the infamous ‘Matka’ gambling empire, the film offers a glimpse into the shadowy world of the 1960s and 70s, a time ruled by the legendary Matka King whose operations shook the socio-economic landscape of India.
Directed by Karuna Kumar, Matka is produced by Vijender Reddy Teegala and Rajani Talluri, and presented by WAMINDIA. It follows Vasu, a complex anti-hero who rises from humble beginnings to become a gambling tycoon from 1958 to 1982. As Vasu’s empire expands, he faces off against the ruthless underworld mafia while evading the relentless pursuit of the Indian government, presenting a tale of ambition, morality, and power struggles.
The trailer, filled with striking visuals and powerful dialogue, has left audiences eager for more. One of the standout lines “I’m not someone who takes your thumb like Dronacharya — I’m Vasu, the Matka King.” and “It’s because of good people like you that it rains and crops grow, and it’s because of people like me that ten mouths are fed — it’s nature’s balance.” showcases the character’s raw philosophy and intense personality, showcasing a gritty narrative. The film promises a gripping storyline, powerful dialogues, and impressive visuals, brought to life by Karuna Kumar’s direction and A Kishor Kumar’s cinematography.
Varun Tej delivers an outstanding performance, well-supported by Meenakshi Chaudhary, Nora Fatehi, Naveen Chandra, and Kannada Kishore. GV Prakash Kumar’s vibrant music elevates the film’s heroic atmosphere, while Karthika Srinivas R’s sharp editing ensures a captivating flow. The film’s high production quality, courtesy of Vyra Entertainments and SRT Entertainments, is evident throughout.
Aneesh Dev from Wide Angle Media, who is handling the distribution of the Hindi version, expressed optimism about the film’s reception: “We have been promoting this film aggressively for the last 15 days, and it has gained significant attention. People are already talking about Matka and its intriguing subject matter. With a talented cast including Varun Tej, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Nora Fatehi, I am confident that Matka will be a success across India, appealing to a diverse audience.”
Scheduled for release on 14 November 2024, Matka will be available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, broadening its reach to a pan-India audience. Varun Tej’s portrayal of Vasu, combined with the film’s blend of period glamour and raw intensity, has generated considerable buzz online, with social media users calling it his “career-best performance.”
The trailer’s release has set high expectations, with fans and industry insiders predicting that Matka will be a major hit. One X user commented, “Unanimously the best performance by #VarunTej so far,” while another predicted, “No doubt it’s going to be a blockbuster.
