Lucky Baskhar Movie Review

Dulquer Salmaan, known for his solid fanbase in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, has once again struck a chord with Telugu audiences after his success in Sita Ramam. In Lucky Bhaskar, directed by Venky Atluri, he takes on a titular role in a film that released today. Let’s look at what this story has to offer.

Storyline:

Set in the 1990s in Mumbai, Lucky Bhaskar follows Bhaskar (Dulquer Salmaan), a cashier at a private bank, who struggles to make ends meet with his modest salary. His family consists of his wife Sumathi (Meenakshi Chaudhary), son Karthik, father Prahlad (Sarvadaman Banerjee), a younger brother, and a sister. Financial challenges arise as he strives to cover college fees for his siblings and school fees for his son.

Sumathi dreams of starting a food business, but lack of funds holds her back. Bhaskar hopes his upcoming promotion will ease their burdens, but his hopes are dashed when office politics lead to someone else getting promoted. Deeply affected, Bhaskar realizes that fulfilling his family’s needs may mean venturing into illegal activities.

Around this time, Bhaskar meets Antony (Ranji), an associate in illicit dealings. Bhaskar joins forces with Antony, manipulating bank funds discreetly. Through these experiences, Bhaskar learns that while honesty brings betrayal, money can secure dignity and respect. As Bhaskar diverts bank funds, his lifestyle upgrades to include luxury items and a high-income account. Eventually, however, he is caught by the CBI. The story then follows his attempts to escape consequences and become “Lucky Bhaskar.”

Analysis:

Venky Atluri, known for his previous hit Sir (Vaathi), writes and directs this film. Atluri captures the 1990s atmosphere of Mumbai with convincing details, from costumes and vehicles to set designs. The period setting is mostly consistent, although Dulquer’s modern hairstyle slightly disrupts the era’s look.
Lucky Bhaskar is intriguing through the first half, with the interval heightening interest for the second half. The highlight scenes include Bhaskar’s confrontation with his boss and his father’s impactful words, which resonate with the film’s themes. A standout dialogue encapsulates the essence of the story: “It’s not right to sit around disappointed, dwelling on how I didn’t spend a few hours of my day as I wished.”

Performance:

The director effectively conveys the central message that money may bring comfort but cannot guarantee peace, emphasizing family values. However, the absence of romance or duets may leave some fans wanting.

Nimish Ravi’s cinematography brings authenticity to the scenes, and G.V. Prakash Kumar’s background score keeps the audience engaged. Editor Naveen Nooli ensures smooth pacing, and the performances from Dulquer, Meenakshi, and other actors do justice to their roles.

Verdict:

While Lucky Bhaskar follows a familiar theme of bank scams, its approach is unique, focusing on balancing work and family rather than on action. The film leaves audiences with the message that true happiness lies in peace rather than luxury.