Mega Prince Varun Tej’s most awaited movie ‘Matka’. Directed by Karuna Kumar, the film is produced by Dr. Vijayender Reddy Thigala, Rajini Talluri on Vira Entertainments and SRT Entertainments on a high budget. Meenakshi Chaudhary and Nora Fatehi are playing the heroines. This movie teaser and trailer created huge buzz. Matka album composed by star music director GV Prakash Kumar became a chart buster hit. The much-awaited ‘Matka’ will hit the screens on November 14. On this occasion, director Karuna Kumar shared the features of the film in a press conference.
Where did the story of Matka begin?
The story of Matka begins at a family marriage function. When we went to Vizag for a marriage function, the whole family was sitting and talking madly. One of the relatives worked as a punter on behalf of my wife. Like agents. Then I heard about this matka game for the first time. In the context of those words, I came to know that there were night clubs and cabarets in Vizag. About the one town of Vizag, I found it very interesting when I got to know the culture there. From there I started researching who actually owned this game.
Got scope to make your mark in this?
We have wonderful stories and literature. No one has made all the great films we have made. We made the movie ‘Malapilla’ before everyone else. Ours is the land of Telugu with great literature, stories and culture. ‘Matka’ is like telling a story with my style of storytelling in an entertaining way. Matka Pukka is a commercial movie.
What kind of performance did Varun Tej give in the character of Vasu?
One of the finest performances by Varun Tej is seen in this. Even after 20 years Matkane is mentioned. Varun is a very cool person. Worked with a lot of dedication.
How much did Ratan Khatri’s life cost for Matka?
In this Ratan Khatri did not take his life. His story is already being made into a web series. It should be made as a web series. A movie does not work out. The only similarity is that Ratan Khatri came to Mumbai from Pakistan. In this Vasu comes to Vizag from Burma. Vizag had a Burmese colony. There were different kinds of people in it.
How many days did you shoot? Did you make it within the budget?
We shot for 79 days. So far I have completed all the films within the planned budget. We have also completed this film within the planned budget.
What about the villain roles in this?
In such movies, situations and politics are the villains. The mind game that carries them should be the same villains. Kannada Kishore and John Vijay are such characters in it. It contains almost all gray characters. Ajay Ghosh is a very surprising and positive character. Meenakshi, Nora, Naveen Chandra characters are very important in the story.
About Vaira Entertainments, SRT Entertainments?
I narrated the story to Vaira Entertainments. I had done my last film in SRT Entertainments, so they liked my work and volunteered to join. The producers were very supportive. Worked with passion to give a good product.