After raking in a cool ₹100+ crore at the box office, the Telugu crime drama Lucky Baskhar has landed on Netflix. Does it deserve your time, or is it a scam and just another overhyped member of the “lucky” club? Let’s dive in.
Storyline
Set in the bustling chaos of late-80s Bombay, the story follows Baskhar, a middle-class banker juggling a mountain of debt, a large family, and a career stuck like a rocket glued to the ground. Desperation leads Baskhar to take a daring risk with bank funds when opportunity comes knocking. What begins as a one-off gamble turns into a wave of shady Bank Receipt deals bringing avalanche of cash, each time teasing Baskhar’s risk appetite but he pushes ahead, like an adventurous surfer.
However, when the scam hits the RBI’s radar, Baskhar’s surfing board starts wobbling. Will the system wash him away, or will his luck hold out one last time?
Our critique
Director Venky Atluri deserves applause for delivering a taut, engaging narrative. The screenplay smartly mingles Baskhar’s risky professional exploits with his challenged family situation, making the story feel both real and relatable. A couple of scenes, however, may make you wonder as to how someone could get so lucky. Well, the movie is Lucky Baskhar for a reason.
And the setting? Pure nostalgia. From Goldspot bottles to Bajaj Chetaks and Walkman headphones, the late-80s/early-90s vibe is recreated so vividly, you might find yourself looking for your favourite audio cassette. Sure, the scam-centric plot may remind you of Scam 1992, but Lucky Baskhar brings its own parallel to the table. If at all there was something that looked out of place, it was the silly scene of the three cars trying to pass through the police checkpost.
The camerawork and music complement the emotions.
Screen Performances
Dulquer Salmaan kills it as Baskhar, pulling you into his life with ease. Whether he’s frustrated, thrilled, or sweating under interrogation, he nails it all. Meenakshi (as Mrs. Baskhar) shines as the supportive yet conflicted wife, while the seasoned stalwarts like Sachin Khedekar and Tinnu Anand add their seasoning to the narrative.
Overall opinion
With sharp writing, stellar performances, and dollops of nostalgia, Lucky Baskhar is more than just a lucky shot. It’s a clean watch that keeps you entertained (sometimes not fully hooked, though). If you’re into drama, scams, and a slice of retro Bombay, this one’s for you.
Our rating
