Lucky BaskharTheatrical release posterDirected byVenky AtluriWritten byVenky AtluriProduced byNaga Vamsi Sai SoujanyaStarringDulquer SalmaanMeenakshi ChaudharyCinematographyNimish RiEdited byNeen NooliMusic byG. V. Prakash KumarProductioncompaniesSithara Entertainments Fortune Four Cinemas Srikara StudiosRelease date 31 October 2024 (2024-10-31) Running time151 minutesCountryIndiaLanguageTeluguBudget₹56 crore[1][2][3]Box officeest. ₹111.90 crore[citation needed]
Lucky Baskhar (stylised as LUCKY BASKHA₹) is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language black comedy crime drama film written and directed by Venky Atluri. Produced by Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinema and Srikara Studios, the film stars Dulquer Salmaan in the titular role, alongside Meenakshi Chaudhary, Tinnu Anand, P. Sai Kumar, Ramki, Raghu Babu, Sarvadaman D. Banerjee, Sachin Khedekar and Y. Kasi Viswanath. The story follows a lower-middle-class man who begins engaging in financial scams after struggling to support his family while battling debt and humiliation.
The film was officially announced in May 2023 and its title followed in July. Principal photography commenced in October, predominantly in Hyderabad. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by Nimish Ri and editing by Neen Nooli.[4][5][6]
Lucky Baskhar released worldwide on 31 October 2024, coinciding with Deepawali, to critical acclaim. It emerged as the most successful film of Dulquer Salman's career, grossing ₹111.90 crore at the box office.[citation needed] It also won the state Gaddar Award for Third Best Feature Film.[7]
Plot[edit]In 1992 Bombay, Baskhar Kumar is suddenly taken by CBI officials to the Colaba branch of Magadha Bank for interrogation about his alleged embezzlement of its funds during his employment to conduct securities fraud. The real story is revealed through various flashbacks featuring Baskhar breaking the fourth wall regularly to provide additional commentary.
Three years earlier, Baskhar is a cashier in Magadha Bank, one of the few remaining private banks in India following nationalisation. On the side, he helps uneducated people write cheques and banking forms for a minimal fee. He lives with his wife Sumathi, who left her rich family to be with him and aspires to start a home food business, their young son Karthik, and Prahalad, Baskhar's father, a former chartered accountant who was paralyzed and became voluntarily mute after being scammed into a bad business deal. Their finances are strained and Baskhar owes many creditors money.
One day, his biggest creditor takes his scooter and the promotion he had always hoped for is given to someone else. Humiliated and desperate, Baskhar steals two lakh rupee from the bank's deposits and gives it to Anthony, a smuggler, to release illegally imported televisions at the port after his previous financiers backed out. Bashkar and Samba, a peon at the same bank, release the TVs and earn double the money, allowing them to replace the stolen cash and make a profit. More shipments arrive over the next few months, enabling Baskhar to pay off his debts and improve his family's lives.
Anthony plans one last shipment before leing the trade and joining his son in USA, this time of three foreign cars, upping the stakes with a payment of ten lakhs. Baskhar initially hesitates, but his son's happiness from their new lifestyle changes his mind. A raid on the original buyer scuttles their initial plans, and they he to go to a dealer in Goa instead over the weekend. By masquerading as government cars and using fake politicians played by beggars and an exotic dancer, they evade government checkpoints and succeed. Baskhar manages to return the money again but learns that the managers in the bank he been arrested for their own fraudulent activity, bringing more scrutiny. However, their removal pes the way for Baskhar to get the promotion, increasing his salary. Samba continues in the smuggling business while Baskhar stops.
As assistant general manager, Baskhar learns that businessman Harsha Mehra uses the money to manipulate the share market and paid off the bank to keep quiet. He makes a deal with Katari Bank's broker and Mehra's aide Suraj to clear the receipts in exchange for a cut and stock tips. Using the stock gains and an unscrupulous hawala agent, he is able to legitimise his income, first through a winning lottery ticket and afterwards by setting up Sumathi's home foods business. This scheme enriches Baskhar, making his family rich but also turning him into an arrogant, cold man, distancing him from Sumathi, who eventually destroys the business in anger. Prahalad breaks his silence and reveals he knew of the scam, warning him of the perils of greed. Sumathi learns the business is a front when she overhears him, making her shut him completely; Baskhar changes and wins her back after he becomes more humble. He further rethinks his life after bailing out Samba, who was caught and arrested, losing all his earnings.
Baskhar discovers that Harsha had forged bank letters from Katari Bank to receive higher amounts, causing their general manager of Katari Bank Hariharan to die of a heart attack in his office. This prompts Baskhar to halt cooperation with Suraj, despite pressure from his superiors who wish to keep him as a customer, and report the fraud to the Reserve Bank of India. After the general manager threatens Baskhar over his refusal to sign, he resigns. It turns out that the CBI officers are actually in the employ of the GM and chairman of Magadha, who took a larger share from Harsha Mehra to perpetuate the fraud. Threatening his family's peace, they coax him to sign off on the remaining transfers using his bank account before an audit the next day.
On that day, however, they learn that Baskhar had previously closed his account, rendering the transfers invalid and his tip triggers an investigation by RBI agents that topples Mehra's empire and leads to the arrests of the Magadha leadership. Meanwhile, Baskhar and his family lee the country, hing previously bought a hotel in Boston to obtain an American investment visa with the help of Anthony and Prahalad's contacts, and continue to live luxuriously.
Cast[edit] Dulquer Salmaan as Baskhar Kumar, cashier and later Assistant General Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba. He later becomes the owner of Hotel Bhaskar International, America Meenakshi Chaudhary as Sumathi, Baskhar's wife Tinnu Anand as Rajbir Lokhande, Chairman of Magadha Bank P. Sai Kumar as CBI Officer Laxman Rao Ramki as Anthony, Import dealer Raghu Babu as beggar Maanasa Choudhary as Mona, a dancer(cameo) Sarvadaman D. Banerjee as Prahalad Kumar, Baskhar's father Kalyani as Ramya Dikshit, RBI Director Sachin Khedekar as Vinod Bhosle, General Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba Kasi Viswanath as Athish Kulkarni, ex-Assistant Regional Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba Sudha as Sumathi's mother and Baskhar's mother-in-law Rajkumar Kasireddy as Samba, Bhaskar's best friend Prabhas Sreenu as a visa consultant Hyper Aadi as a Stock Market Broker Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Narayanan, Vault Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba Gayatri Bhargi as Latha K, Baskhar's colleague at Magadha Bank, Colaba Mathew Varghese as S. Hariharan, General Manager of Katari Bank Srinath Maganti as Suraj Micky Makhija as Himanshu Roy, Regional Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba Srikanth Reddy Mana Koteshwar Rao Lab Sharath Ram Sandeep Varma Jampana Anji Chodapaneedi Rahul Mahesh Achanta as a stock market analyst Manik Reddy as Patel Bhai Mukhtar Khan as Captain George S. P. Prabhu Kishore Raju Vasistha AGM Krishna Kamal as Anwar, Accountant of Sumathi Home Foods Shashidhar as Sumathi's elder brother Ananya Sharma as Baskhar's younger sister Rithvik as Karthik, Baskhar and Sumathi's son Charan Lakkaraju as Baskhar's younger brother Surya Sreenivas as Sandeep, Baskhar's brother-in-law Jayasri Rachakonda Production[edit] Development[edit]After the success of Vaathi in early 2023, it was reported that Venky Atluri had narrated a script to Dulquer Salmaan which impressed him and the project would be funded by S. Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya's Sithara Entertainment, Fortune Four Cinemas and Sikara Studios.[8] The company made a public announcement on 15 May 2023, confirming the project,[9] and also stating that filming would begin the following October and would be released in the Summer (June–August 2024).[10] The film's official title, Lucky Bashkar, was announced on 28 July 2023.[11]
Filming[edit]Principal photography began with the first schedule on 4 October 2023 in Hyderabad.[12]
Soundtrack[edit] Main article: Lucky Baskhar (soundtrack)The music of the film was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar.[13] The audio rights were acquired by Aditya Music.
Release[edit] Theatrical[edit]Lucky Baskhar was released worldwide on 31 October 2024, coinciding Diwali along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi languages.[14] It was initially scheduled to be released in the month of July 2024[15] but was postponed to release on 27 September 2024.[16] Furthur, it was preponed to 7 September 2024 coinciding with Vinayaka Chithi but was again postponed.[17]
Home media[edit]The film began streaming on Netflix from 28 November 2024 in Telugu and dubbed versions of Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.[18][19] Star Maa acquired Telecasting rights.
Reception[edit]Lucky Baskhar received critical acclaim.[20]
Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India ge 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Lucky Baskhar emerges as a captivating period crime thriller, blending a nostalgic backdrop with a tale of human ambition and resilience."[21] Sashidhar Adivi of Times Now ge 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Lucky Bhaskar is a perfect blend of emotions and clever financial themes. It is tough to craft this kind of drama."[22] Janani K of India Today ge 3/5 stars and wrote "Lucky Baskhar works for the major part because of Venky Atluri’s attention to detail and superlative performances."[23]
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Director Venky Atluri strikes a fine balance between exploring financial scam and relationships in Lucky Baskhar, headlined by a superb Dulquer Salmaan."[24]
Box office[edit]Lucky Baskhar became Dulquer's first film to reach the ₹100 crore (US$12 million) mark.[25]
References[edit] ^ "Dulquer Salman's Lucky Bashkar A Success In Tamil Nadu And Andhra, Not So Much In Kerala". News18. Retrieved 10 November 2024. ^ "ബജറ്റ് 100 കോടി, ലക്കി ഭാസ്കറുമായി തിരിച്ചുവരവിനൊരുങ്ങി ദുൽഖർ". Reporter TV. Retrieved 12 November 2024. ^ Reendran, Dhanya (14 October 2024). "100 കോടി ബജറ്റിൽ ദുൽഖർ ചിത്രം; മുടക്ക് മുതൽ തിരിച്ചു പിടിക്കുമോ ലക്കി ഭാസ്കർ?". Vellinakshatram. Retrieved 12 November 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan's 'Lucky Baskhar' preponed, film to release on September 7". India Today. 9 July 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date for Ganesh Chaturthi". Hindustan times. 8 July 2024. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary's Lucky Baskhar To Now Release On This Date". News18. 9 July 2024. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024. ^ "Gaddar Telangana Film Awards: Adivi Sesh Thanks Telangana Government For Honouring Major, Expresses Gratitude To Mahesh Babu". Times Now. 30 May 2025. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan's film with Venky Atluri touted to be pan-Indian action drama". India Today. 16 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ^ PTI (15 May 2023). "Dulquer Salmaan to star in 'Vaathi' director Venky Atluri's next". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan signs his next Telugu film with Venky Atluri". Bollywood Hungama. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan's next with Venky Atluri titled Lucky Baskhar". www.dtnext.in. 29 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ^ "MAD | Dulquer Salmaan remembers his early days in cinema: We looked like." OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ^ "ബാങ്ക് മോഷണവുമായി ദുൽഖർ; 'ലക്കി ഭാസ്കർ' ടീസർ". Manoramaonline. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date". Cinema Express. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan starrer Lucky Baskhar set to release in July". Cinema Express. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024. ^ "Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date". Cinema Express. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024. ^ "Lucky Baskhar's release date moved up". Cinema Express. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024. ^ "'Lucky Baskhar' OTT: Dulquer Salmaan starrer starts streaming". The Times of India. 28 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 November 2024. ^ "Lucky Baskhar OTT release date: When and where to watch Dulquer Salmaan film". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 November 2024. ^ "Mamitha Baiju lands dream role opposite Suriya in Venky Atluri's next". Mamitha Baiju lands dream role opposite Suriya in Venky Atluri’s next. Retrieved 22 May 2025. ^ "Lucky Baskhar Movie Review : Dulquer Salmaan Anchors Atluri's Engaging Retro Crime Drama". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 October 2024. ^ "Lucky Baskhar Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan's Film Is A Fascinating Ride". Times Now. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024. ^ "Lucky Baskhar review: Dulquer Salmaan is terrific in film on banking, share market". India Today. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (31 October 2024). "'Lucky Baskhar' movie review: An entertaining drama from Venky Atluri and Dulquer Salmaan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 November 2024. ^ "Top take on south Indian cinema news - EasternEye". 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024. External links[edit] Lucky Baskhar at IMDb vteTelangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Feature FilmFirst Kalki 2898 AD (2024) Balagam (2023) Sita Ramam (2022) RRR (2021) Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) Maharshi (2019) Mahanati (2018) Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) Sathamanam Bhati (2016) Rudhramadevi (2015) Run Raja Run (2014) Second Pottel (2024) Hanu-Man (2023) Karthikeya 2 (2022) Akhanda (2021) Colour Photo (2020) Jersey (2019) Rangasthalam (2018) Fidaa (2017) Pelli Choopulu (2016) Kanche (2015) Paathasala (2014) Third Lucky Baskhar (2024) Bhaganth Kesari (2023) Major (2022) Uppena (2021) Middle Class Melodies (2020) Mallesham (2019) C/o Kancharapalem (2018) Ghazi (2017) Janata Garage (2016) Srimanthudu (2015) Alludu Sreenu (2014)