Story
In 1990s Bombay, Baskhar (Dulquer Salmaan) works as a cashier at a private bank called Magadha. Coming from a middle-class family, he finds it challenging to support his father, siblings, wife, and young son on his limited salary. One day, he stumbles upon a way to make quick money by secretly diverting cash overnight. Encouraged by the success and tempted by the limitless earning potential, he expands his scheme on a larger scale. The rest of the story unfolds as his family discovers the truth and as he faces the consequences when the law catches up.

Artists Performance

Dulquer Salmaan delivers a charming and natural performance, making it easy to connect with his character. Meenakshi Chaudhary impresses as a wife who sets boundaries and holds her husband accountable when he strays. Sarvadaman D. Banerjee (of Sirivennela fame) brings a surprising twist - watch to find out why! Sai Kumar commands the screen as a CBI officer, while Ramki portrays a struggling businessman who seeks success with the protagonist's help. Sachin Khedekar and Tinnu Anand are perfectly cast for this Bombay-based story. Maganti Srinadh is effective as the enigmatic corporate figure who partners with the protagonist. Rithvik is endearing and makes his presence felt, while Rajkumar Kasireddy and Hyper Aadi bring humor to their significant roles. Sivannarayana and Gayatri Bhargavi stand out as bank employees, and Ananya plays the hero’s sister well.

Story - screenplay - direction: Venky Atluri sets the story in Mumbai's 1990s banking and Dalal Street scene, crafting it in a straightforward way that makes the financial elements accessible to the average viewer. He simplifies the protagonist’s fraudulent activities in the first half, focusing instead on building a compelling family narrative around it. An intriguing twist at the interval ramps up the stakes, drawing us into the world of the stock market. Venky has successfully crafted a screenplay that feels deceptively simple, only to surprise us with clever writing in the last 15 minutes. The protagonist’s character appears straightforward at first glance but reveals a cunning yet well-intentioned side. Venky skillfully balances the financial backdrop with enjoyable moments, clearly explaining concepts like money laundering. Breaking the fourth wall, the protagonist even addresses the audience directly. Set in 1992, without mobile phones or internet, the film leverages landlines and ledger books to create tension and enhance the screenplay. The 2nd half of the movie may look familiar to the people who watched Scam 1992 series. This type of story is refreshingly new for Telugu cinema.

Other departments: GV Prakash Kumar’s music brings a refreshing vibe, with a few well-placed songs that seamlessly blend into the narrative. The background score is also commendable. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography shines, and Banglan’s production design is noteworthy - most of the scenes take place in the protagonist’s home, the bank, and the surrounding street, all designed authentically. Naveen Nooli’s editing is sharp, and the production values are top-notch.

Analysis: Lucky Baskar stands out in Telugu cinema by exploring the banking and stock-market sectors. Director Venky Atluri keeps things straightforward when explaining fraud and scams. The first half is light, while the second half picks up with an engaging pace and a strong climax. Highlights include its fresh subject, Dulquer Salmaan’s performance, and a light-hearted approach. Overall, Lucky Baskar is an engaging film that's well worth watching in theaters.