Lucky Baskhar (2024) [Movie Review]: A Period Crime Drama That Strikes a Chord

Director Venky Atluri returns to the big screen with Lucky Baskhar, a period crime drama set against the turbulent financial backdrop of the late 1980s and early 1990s Bombay. Starring Dulquer Salmaan as the titular character, the film traces the journey of an honest middle-class bank employee whose desire to uplift his family drives him down an unexpected path. Also starring Meenakshi Chaudhary and Tinnu Anand, the film explores ambition, desperation, and the high-stakes world of financial fraud.

Story & Screenplay

Bhaskar Kumar (Dulquer Salmaan) is a modest, diligent bank cashier residing in Bombay with his parents, wife Sumathi (Meenakshi Chaudhary), son, and siblings. Despite his commitment, he struggles with financial difficulties and is consistently overlooked for promotions and recognition at work. Feeling cornered, Bhaskar takes a pivotal step—engaging in the manipulation of financial systems and navigating the blurred lines of legality. His ascent unfolds alongside the notorious 1992 stock market scam, adding greater intensity to his story.

Venky Atluri’s screenplay effectively captures the mood of the era. The first half of the film is crisp, engaging, and emotionally grounded. However, the second half tends to lose momentum occasionally, especially during certain drawn-out sequences. Some attempts at humor—such as the checkpost crossing scene—feel misplaced in an otherwise intense narrative.

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Performances

Dulquer Salmaan delivers a career-defining performance as Bhaskar. His portrayal is subtle, sincere, and relatable, making the audience empathize with his struggles and moral dilemmas. Meenakshi Chaudhary delivers a standout performance as Sumathi, adding emotional richness to her role. She plays the supportive wife with grace and conviction.

The supporting cast—including veterans like Tinnu Anand, Sachin Khedekar, Ramki, and P. Sai Kumar—offer commendable performances that strengthen the narrative. Young actors like Rithvik and Hyper Aadi also deliver effectively in their respective roles, adding realism to Bhaskar’s family dynamics and social circle.

Technical Aspects

Technically, Lucky Baskhar is a visual and atmospheric success. Cinematographer Nimish Ravi and production designer Banglan recreate the vintage Mumbai era with remarkable detail—from narrow chawls to busy bank offices. The use of warm tones and grainy visuals amplifies the vintage look, lending authenticity to the period setting.

Editor Navin Nooli keeps the first half tight, though a few scenes in the latter half could’ve used sharper trimming. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score is impactful and elevates the emotional beats of the story, though the songs may not have long-lasting recall value. The dialogues are well-written, balancing realism with dramatic weight, and effectively conveying the characters’ inner worlds.

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Final Verdict

Lucky Baskhar is a gripping blend of emotional drama and financial crime, rooted in a meticulously recreated historical setting. While the pacing falters briefly in the second half and a few scenes feel slightly out of place, the film is redeemed by Dulquer Salmaan’s stellar performance and Venky Atluri’s focused direction. With strong writing, compelling visuals, and a nostalgic yet cautionary tale, Lucky Baskhar succeeds as a memorable period drama that explores ambition, morality, and survival.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)