Matka(2024)
Set between the years 1958 and 1982, Matka tells the story of Vasu, who rises from poverty to create a powerful gambling empire in India, ultimately leading the nation into a battle with the government. Based on real events, the tale explores themes of love, moral choices, and the consequences of ambition.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video
- Theatrical Release
- 14 November 2024
- Director
- Karuna Kumar
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 39m
- Rating
- 4.9/10
Storyline
A man named Vasu escapes poverty and builds a huge gambling business in India over several decades. His ambition eventually puts him in a major conflict with the government. The story is based on true events and deals with love, difficult choices, and the results of his actions.
“From rags to riches, he gambled with a nation's fate.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Matka
Cast reunions in this film: Kishore & G. V. Prakash Kumar (4 films together), John Vijay & Mime Gopi (4 films together), Kishore & John Vijay (3 films together), Kishore & Mime Gopi (3 films together), John Vijay & Ajay Ghosh (3 films together), and Kishore & Naveen Chandra (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Matka' refers to a form of illegal gambling that was widespread in India, especially from the 1960s to the 1990s.
- Director Karuna Kumar is known for his detailed period films, and the team recreated vintage cars and sets to match the 1958-1982 timeline.
- Lead actor Varun Tej underwent a physical transformation, gaining significant muscle mass to portray the character's rise from poverty to power.
- The story is loosely based on the real-life figures and events surrounding the 'Matka' gambling kingpins of Mumbai, like Ratan Khatri.
- Parts of the film were shot in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, where large sets were built to replicate the bustling streets of old Bombay.
- The soundtrack features a mix of folk and period-specific music to enhance the historical atmosphere of the different decades shown.
- This was one of the few major Telugu films in 2024 to explore the crime genre with a biographical angle, rather than typical action dramas.