Varun Tej's Matka, a periodic drama about gambler Ratan Khetri, had a disappointing opening, earning just ₹70 lakh on its first day (November 14). Despite positive reviews for Varun Tej's performance, the film’s predictable plot and slow pacing hurt its box office performance.

Box Office Performance

The film recorded a 15.71% Telugu occupancy, with the highest turnout in Visakhapatnam at 27.75%. This marks the lowest opening of Varun Tej's career, compared to his previous film Operation Valentine, which opened at ₹1.45 crore despite negative reviews.

Audience Reaction

While critics appreciated Varun's acting and the film's first 20 minutes, action sequences, and background music, many viewers found the plot predictable and some scenes dragged.

Film Details

Matka set between 1958 and 1982 in Visakhapatnam, follows the life of Vasu, a prominent Matka gambler and gangster. The movie also stars Meenakshi Chaudhary and Nora Fatehi, who makes her Telugu debut.