Matka is Varun Tej’s new film promoted a lot in the last few days. Featuring Varun Tej and Meenakshi Chaudhary in lead roles, the film has been directed by Karun Kumar of Palasa fame. Read our review to find out whether the film lives up to all the hype.

Story

Vasu(Varun Tej) is a refugee from Burma who landed in Vizag as a teenager. He takes the route of crime and becomes a solid criminal. One fine day, he heads to Mumbai and chances upon the game of Matka and brings it to Vizag. Very soon, he becomes the Matka King only to draw the attention of the Indian government who appoint a special cop(Naveen Chandra) to nab him. Did Vasu save his empire and get away from the crime is the basic story of the film.

What about on-screen performances?

Varun Tej is very good in his role and he is the saving grace of Matka. He gets to play a goon, a don, and a gangster solidly. Varun has given one of the best performances of his career. Aja Ghosh is neat in his role.

Naveen Chandra did not have much to do in the film. Nora Fatehi gets a decent role but is not utilized properly in the narrative. John Vijay is weak as the main villain in the film. He hardly creates any impact in Matka.

Saloni gets a supporting role and does not get even a single dialogue. Meenakshi Chaudhary is there in yet another small role. She appears as the wife of Varun Tej and has only two or three scenes in the film.

The rest of the cast was just about okay.

What about off-screen performances?

Karuna Kumar has directed Matka and his story is routine and does not showcase anything new. His narration is outdated and does not have many thrills that engage. The production values of the film are top-notch. How the bygone era is showcased is superb in the narrative.

The art department needs a pat on the back. GV Prakash is one of the biggest culprits. His songs are bad and even worse was his BGM. He did not give anything worthy in the narrative that elevates the film.

The editing is a big mess as the film is lengthy and boring. The director Karuna Kumar takes forever to enter the main story. So many scenes in the first half could have been edited. There is no main villain in the film and this is the biggest drawback. No one could stop the rise of Varun Tej. This aspect looks bad and does not elevate the conflict point.

When compared to the first half, the second is a tad better. A lengthy scene where Varun mouths a single take scene is amazing but by then it is too late in the film. The emotions hardly connect in the film and this is where Matka goes for a toss.

The crime syndicate is not established properly as the edge of the seat moments are missing. Matka had the story for the drama to be elevated but director Karuna Kumar has made a mess of it.

The ending is also not that great and Varun is the only solace.

What’s Hot.?

Varun Tej’s performance
A few thrills
Production design

What’s Not.?

Routine Story
Lack of strong emotions
Slow pace
Lack of thrills

Verdict:

Overall, Matka is a wasted opportunity by Karuna Kumar. He narrates the film with fewer thrills and the needed emotion is missing in the film. Only Varun Tej is good but he alone cannot salvage the film at the box office this weekend.

Mega Prince Varun Tej has become talk of the industry with his upcoming period gangster action flick Matka. The story of the film follows Vasu, who become Matka King Vasu from being a refugee. With his performance in teaser and trailer of the film, already Varun increased expectations and hype, buzz aroundd the film. He interacted with the media about the film and he stated that he is greatly confident about film becoming a huge blockbuster and it will be liked by everyone.

He stated that when Matka script came to him, he loved the world and his character. He stated that director Karuna Kumar has realistic way of handling things and also the story, characters will be highly relatable. He also stated that everyone will connect with Vasu as a character irrespective of him doing good or bad things. Varun stated that the film is a very big commercial film that will give a new theatrical experience.

Varun also shared that the director specifically asked him to stay away from gym and maintain a diet that showcases him as a 60’s and 70’s time period person with slight differences in his body frame. He shared that he had to put on weight for playing older age portions while he maintained simple changes in body language as the character becomes financially rich thoroughout the film.

He also stated that the film will not have any elements that won’t cater to family people. He praised composer GV Prakash Kumar’s background score for the film and stated that he is super confident about film being a big hit. Karuna Kumar directorial, Matka is produced on a high budget by SRT Entertainment, Vyra Entertainments and it is releasing on 14th November all over.

Like a good wine that gets better with age, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, which stars Ashok Galla, has been postponed until November 22nd. Like a good wine that gets better with age, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, which stars Ashok Galla, has been postponed until November 22nd.

This miraculous postponement will undoubtedly be worthwhile. The film, which was directed by the gifted Arjun Jandyala, who made his breakthrough with Guna 369, is expected to be an exciting journey full of action, passion, and spirituality. The film, which stars Ashok Galla in a strong role, is expected to enthrall viewers with its captivating story and breathtaking imagery.

Set your calendars accordingly, and prepare to be enchanted. On November 22, the cinematic masterpiece Devaki Nandana Vasudeva will be released. And keep in mind that a truly wonderful encounter can occasionally result from a slight delay. Patience is a virtue, after all, especially when it comes to quality film!

When it comes to breaking records and pushing boundaries, Pushpa 2: The Rule seems to be setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Imagine a film so big, it’s not just a movie but a movement, backed by the largest brand partnerships ever seen in the industry! From daily essentials to luxury brands, Pushpa 2 has collaborated with more than twenty top brands each one bringing its own sparkle to the already colossal aura surrounding the film.

The film has roped in an incredible array of brand collaborations, making it the movie with the biggest brand tie-ups in Indian cinema. From household names like Fanizm, Goldmedal, Stral Pipes, and Thums Up to Breado, Comfort, and Kajaria, the list goes on. Other iconic brands such as Dark Fantasy, Daawat, Kalyan Jewellers, and Freefire Max are on board, not to mention Mangaldeep, JK Tire, Tata Tea Chakra Gold, Real Star, TVS Raider, Kerala Banana Chips, Too Yumm!, Greenply, Ambuja Cement, and Wild Stone. The sheer volume and variety of collaborations have propelled Pushpa 2 into the spotlight like never before.And with Pushpa 2’s grand release slated for December 5th, brands have shown their eagerness to be a part of what could be the cinematic phenomenon of the decade.

The hype is real. From comfort products to luxury buys, Pushpa 2 has bagged a collection of brand collaborations as diverse as they come. Music, as always, will be in the skilled hands of ThisIsDSP, promising a soundtrack that will no doubt echo through speakers and hearts alike. This cinematic experience, produced by Mythri Official, promises to be nothing short of an action-packed celebration of the Pushpa legacy.

And as for the fans, they’re already counting down to the release, anticipating how Allu Arjun’s latest escapade will up the ante in both action and charisma. Pushpa 2 might just be proof that when you combine star power, storytelling, and smart branding, you get something legendary. As the film’s brands span everything from banana chips to cement, one thing’s for sure: Pushpa 2 isn’t just a movie; it’s a lifestyle!

Team Bhairavam has been meticulously promoting the film for a while now through a set of scorching posters. After the arrival of mass stuff pertaining to the ferocious first look posters of Bellamkonda Srinivas, Nara Rohit, and Manchu Manoj it is now time for a minor recourse with the introduction of the female lead in the film.

The female lead is played by Aditi Shankar who will be seen as Vennela in the film. Her introductory poster was unveiled a short while back and it packs a cute punch.

The poster showcases Aditi in a rustic avatar, dressed in a half saree, riding a moped with milk cans attached to a two-wheeler moped. Her aesthetic beauty is evident as she effortlessly emulates the rustic essence of her character.

This poster introduces us to the untapped soft side of Bhairava which is captivating in its own right.

Directed by Vijay Kanakamedala and produced by KK Radhamohan of Sri Sathya Sai Arts, with Dr. Jayantilal Gada of Pen Studios presenting the film, Bhairavam is an ambitious project that’s already generating decent buzz through the promotional stuff thus far.

Actor Saanand Verma recently opened up about his latest project “Vijay 69.” Reflecting on his character in the film, Verma shared how the role allowed him to relive his journalism days.

In a statement, he shared, “I really wanted to be part of this project because the character is a journalist, and I’ve actually been a journalist in my earlier days. I started in print journalism before moving into electronic media, but the role was more entertainment-focused than real journalism. I always wanted to be a journalist like Arnab Goswami, though I didn’t quite end up like him. So, playing a journalist in this film felt exciting and close to my heart.”

Saanand added, “The most challenging aspect of playing this role was reliving my journalism days. It’s not an easy profession. You have to be constantly alert and work under pressure, and this role demanded that I tap into that mindset.”The further mentioned that he believes that “Vijay 69″’s core message is about perseverance.

“Vijay 69 teaches us that nothing is impossible. If you’re passionate, determined, and work hard, you can achieve anything. Age is just a number. You are as youthful as you feel in your mind,” Verma added.Verma is widely known for his performances in films like “Chhichhore” and “Apaharan”, as well as his iconic portrayal of Anokhelal Saxena in the TV show “Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain”. In his latest project, “Vijay 69”, Saanand Verma takes on the role of journalist.

Speaking about working with Anupam Kher and Chunky Pandey, the actor stated it was a dream come true opportunity for him to work with two of the finest actors in the industry.In the film, Kher plays the role of a 69-year-old old angry man, Vijay Matthew, who dares to dream big.

“Vijay 69” premiered on Netflix on November 8.

Imagine a festival feast, with each new dish more delicious than the last. That’s what Tollywood has been serving up lately with its creative, grand reveals. This time, the team behind Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, starring Victory Venkatesh and directed by Anil Ravipudi, has served a delightful surprise for fans, blending nostalgia with excitement.

Music composer Ramana Gogula, known for iconic soundtracks in films like Badri, Johny, and Lakshmi, is making his return with this project after an 18-year gap. For the first single from Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, titled Godari Gattumeeda, Gogula lends his unique vocals, adding a nostalgic spark to the track. Composed by Bheems Ceciroleo and penned by Bhaskarabhatla, this song is sure to bring back memories while setting a lively tone for the film.

Set to hit theaters during Sankranthi 2025, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam promises a gripping plot full of thrilling twists, with a triangular narrative that teases elements of crime. Produced by Shirish and presented by Dil Raju under the Sri Venkateswara Creations banner, the film brings together Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary as the female leads, with Sameer Reddy on cinematography and a talented crew to bring this festive entertainer to life.

With a lineup like this and Gogula’s return in the mix, fans have every reason to be excited. And as Tollywood keeps raising the bar for film promos, we can only wonder—what’s next? Maybe they’ll bring in the fireworks or a marching band!

Suriya’s big budgeted action epic Kanguva opened in theaters today and it naturally drew a fair bit of anticipation in Tamil and Telugu alike. This is mostly due to the aggressive promotional campaign taken up by Suriya who extensively toured ahead of the release and promoted the film big time.

Coming to the OTT side of things, we are hearing an interesting report on Kanguva now and this has something to do with the OTT partner of the film.

Kanguva has apparently sealed Amazon Prime Video as its OTT streaming partner and it will be made available for streaming here in multiple languages.

But for those wondering when the film would stream on Amazon, just so that they can wait it out, there is some bad new.

Apparently, there is a lengthy theatrical window clause that is in place for the film, meaning that it won’t be streaming on Amazon Prime Video anytime soon. There will be a fair bit of delay in the OTT release of the film and it is likely to stream only from mid-January.

So, whoever is interested in the film is prompted to watch it in theaters only and not to wait out for the OTT debut which is still a fair way away.