Lucky Baskhar (stylized as Lucky Baskha₹) is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language period crime drama film written and directed by Venky Atluri. Produced by S. Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinema, and Srikara Studios, the film stars Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role of Baskhar Kumar, alongside Meenakshi Chaudhary. Set against the backdrop of 1989-1992, Lucky Baskhar follows the story of Baskhar Kumar, a struggling lower-middle-class man caught in a web of debt and financial humiliation. In his desperate bid to escape poverty, Baskhar delves into the perilous world of financial scams.
The film was officially announced in May 2023 under the tentative title Dulquer Salmaan 32, marking the actor’s 32nd film as a lead. The title Lucky Baskhar was revealed in July 2023, and principal photography began in October 2023 in Hyderabad. The film features a musical score by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography by Nimish Ravi, and editing by Naveen Nooli. It was released worldwide on October 31, 2024, coinciding with Diwali, and received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
Plot
Lucky Baskhar unfolds through the perspective of the protagonist, Baskar Kumar, who narrates his life story directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall to reveal twists and insights into his motivations. Initially burdened by the weight of financial struggles and family responsibilities, Baskar seizes an opportunity to exploit loopholes in the banking system. What begins as a desperate attempt to make money soon evolves into his involvement in a large-scale stock market and money laundering scheme. As Baskar rises from rags to riches, his transformation is marked by growing arrogance and ambition. However, his wife Sumathi, who serves as his moral compass, challenges his choices and forces him to confront the repercussions of his actions.
Cast
- Dulquer Salmaan as Baskhar Kumar, a cashier-turned-Assistant General Manager at Magadha Bank, Colaba
- Meenakshi Chaudhary as Sumathi Kumar, Baskhar’s wife
- Tinnu Anand as Rajbir Lokhande, Chairman of Magadha Bank
- Sachin Khedekar as Vinod Bhosle, General Manager at Magadha Bank
- P. Sai Kumar as CBI Officer Laxman Rao
- Ramki as Anthony
- Sarvadaman D. Banerjee as Prahalad Kumar, Baskhar’s father
- Rajkumar Kasireddy as Samba, Baskhar’s best friend
- Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Narayanan, Vault Manager at Magadha Bank
- Sudha as Sumathi’s mother and Baskhar’s mother-in-law
- Charan Lakkaraju as Baskhar’s younger brother
- Ananya Sharma as Baskhar’s younger sister
- Rithvik Jothi Raj as Karthik Kumar, Baskhar’s son
- Additional supporting roles include Raghu Babu, Hyper Aadi, and Manik Reddy, among others.
Production
After the success of Vaathi in 2023, director Venky Atluri shared the script with Dulquer Salmaan, which greatly impressed the actor. Production was set to begin after Dulquer’s commitments for King of Kotha. The film was announced in May 2023, and filming began in October 2023 in Hyderabad, with a release initially planned for Summer 2024, later postponed to October.
Soundtrack
The film’s music, composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, features a mix of emotional and energetic tracks. The soundtrack was released by Aditya Music in 2024. The first single, “Srimathi Garu,” released on June 19, 2024, followed by the title track on July 28, 2024.
Track List:
- “Srimathi Garu” – Singer: Vishal Mishra, Shweta Mohan
- “Lucky Baskhar” – Singer: Usha Uthup
- “Nijamaa Kalaa” – Singer: G. V. Prakash Kumar
Release and Reception
Lucky Baskhar was released on October 31, 2024, coinciding with Diwali, and was dubbed in Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. The film garnered positive reviews for its compelling storytelling, strong performances, and attention to detail. Critics praised Dulquer Salmaan’s portrayal of Baskhar, and the film’s mix of financial drama with emotional depth.
- Paul Nicodemus from The Times of India rated it 3.5/5, calling it a captivating period crime thriller.
- Sashidhar Adivi from Times Now gave it 3.5/5, highlighting its emotional depth and financial themes.
- Sangeetha Devi Dundoo from The Hindu commended the film for balancing its exploration of financial scams with personal relationships.
Box Office
Lucky Baskhar marked a significant milestone for Dulquer Salmaan, earning his first 1 billion INR (£9.4 million) worldwide, cementing its success both critically and commercially.
Home Media
The film began streaming on Netflix on November 28, 2024, in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi dubbed versions, further expanding its reach.