Lucky Baskhar

Story: Set in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Lucky Baskhar follows Baskhar Kumar (Dulquer Salmaan), a middle-class bank cashier in Bombay who struggles with financial hardships and family responsibilities. Despite his dedication, he’s passed over for a promotion, pushing him to make a bold decision in hopes of a better future. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1992 securities scam, exploring how fortunes were made on the stock market by manipulating Bank Receipts.

Review: Director Venky Atluri, known for Sir, delivers a strong period crime drama with Lucky Baskhar, capturing the atmosphere of Bombay in an era dominated by financial scandals. The story explores ambition, family, and moral choices, creating a relatable and complex character in Baskhar.

Dulquer Salmaan shines as Baskhar, giving a natural, heartfelt performance that brings out his character’s struggles and ambitions. Meenakshi Chaudhary as Sumathi, Baskhar’s supportive wife, adds emotional weight to the film. The supporting cast, including Ramki, Sachin Khedekar, P. Sai Kumar, Tinnu Anand, and Rithvik, all give solid performances that enhance the story.

The film’s production is excellent, with cinematographer Nimish Ravi and art director Banglan capturing the look and feel of Bombay in the late ’80s and ’90s. Warm tones and subtle film grain create an authentic, nostalgic vibe. The dialogues are impactful, and while the songs may not be very memorable, GV Prakash Kumar’s background score effectively adds to the tension and emotions. Editor Navin Nooli keeps the pace engaging, though a few scenes in the second half could have been shorter.

One minor flaw is the occasional humor, like in the checkpost crossing scene, which doesn’t fully match the film’s intense tone, briefly affecting the flow.

In summary, Lucky Baskhar is a gripping period crime drama that combines nostalgia with a strong story of ambition and family. Venky Atluri’s direction, Dulquer Salmaan’s impressive performance, and a talented supporting cast make it an engaging and memorable film.

Plus Points

1. Strong Storyline: The film presents a compelling narrative about ambition and moral choices set against a significant historical backdrop, making it engaging.
2. Impressive Performance: Dulquer Salmaan delivers a heartfelt and relatable performance as Baskhar, capturing the character’s struggles effectively.
3. Good Supporting Cast: The supporting actors, including Meenakshi Chaudhary and Ramki, provide solid performances that add depth to the story.
4. Authentic Production Design: The film beautifully recreates the late ’80s and early ’90s Bombay, with excellent cinematography and art direction that enhance the nostalgic feel.
5. Effective Score: The background music by GV Prakash Kumar effectively supports the emotional and dramatic moments of the film.

Minus Points

1. Pacing Issues: Some scenes, particularly in the second half, could have been tightened for a better flow, making the film feel a bit slow at times.
2. Occasional Humor Falls Flat: Some attempts at humor, such as in the checkpost crossing scene, feel out of place and disrupt the film’s otherwise serious tone.
3. Limited Song Recall: While the songs fit the narrative, they may not be memorable after watching the film, lacking strong hooks.
4. Underdeveloped Subplots: Some side characters and subplots could have been explored more deeply to add richness to the overall story.
5. Predictable Elements: Certain plot points may feel predictable to viewers familiar with the crime drama genre, reducing suspense in parts.