Gopalpurpp at 09:36, 3 April 2026

2026-04-03T09:36:19Z

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{{Short description|2024 Telugu film by Venky Alturi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Lucky Baskhar
| image = Lucky Baskhar film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Venky Atluri]]
| writer = Venky Atluri
| producer = {{Plain list|
* Suryadevara Naga Vamsi
* Sai Soujanya
}}
| starring = {{Plain list|
* [[Dulquer Salmaan]]
* [[Meenakshi Chaudhary]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Nimish Ravi]]
| editing = [[Naveen Nooli]]
| music = [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]]
| studio = {{Plain list|
* Sithara Entertainments
* Fortune Four Cinemas
* Srikara Studios
}}
| released = {{Film date|2024|10|31|df=yes}}
| runtime = 151 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget = {{INR}}50 [[crore]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Dulquer Salman's Lucky Bashkar A Success In Tamil Nadu And Andhra, Not So Much In Kerala |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/dulquer-salmans-lucky-bashkar-a-success-in-tamil-nadu-and-andhra-not-so-much-in-kerala-9109946.html |website=News18 |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ബജറ്റ് 100 കോടി, ലക്കി ഭാസ്കറുമായി തിരിച്ചുവരവിനൊരുങ്ങി ദുൽഖർ }}</ref>
| gross = {{estimation}} {{INR}}111 crore<ref name="bo">{{cite web |title=Lucky Baskhar Collections: ఆ మార్క్‌ దాటిన ‘లక్కీ భాస్కర్‌’.. కలెక్షన్స్‌ ఎంతంటే? |url=https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/movies/lucky-baskhar-world-wide-collections-dulquer-salmaan/0205/124207629 |website=[[Eenadu]] |language=te |date=2025-11-28 |trans-title=Lucky Baskhar Collections: 'Lucky Baskhar' crosses that mark... How much are the collections?}}</ref>
}}

'''''Lucky Baskhar''''' (stylised as '''''LUCKY BASKHA[[Indian rupee sign|₹]]''''') is a 2024 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[black comedy]] [[Heist film|heist 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 Ravi]] and editing by [[Naveen Nooli]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=9 July 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's 'Lucky Baskhar' preponed, film to release on September 7 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dulquer-salmaan-lucky-baskhar-preponed-film-to-release-on-september-7-on-ganesh-chaturthi-directed-by-venky-atluri-2564206-2024-07-09 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date for Ganesh Chaturthi |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/dulquer-salmaan-meenakshi-chaudharys-lucky-baskhar-gets-a-new-release-date-for-ganesh-chaturthi-101720443536492.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709233632/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/dulquer-salmaan-meenakshi-chaudharys-lucky-baskhar-gets-a-new-release-date-for-ganesh-chaturthi-101720443536492.html |archive-date=9 July 2024 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Hindustan times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary's Lucky Baskhar To Now Release On This Date |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/dulquer-salmaan-meenakshi-chaudharys-lucky-baskhar-to-now-release-on-this-date-8959207.html |url-status=live |work=News18 |access-date=10 July 2024 |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710110006/https://www.news18.com/movies/dulquer-salmaan-meenakshi-chaudharys-lucky-baskhar-to-now-release-on-this-date-8959207.html }}</ref>

''Lucky Baskhar'' released worldwide on 31 October 2024, coinciding with [[Diwali]], to critical acclaim. It emerged as the most successful film of Salman's career, grossing {{INR}}111 [[crore]] at the box office.<ref name="bo" /> It also won the state Gaddar Award for Third Best Feature Film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/telugu/gaddar-telangana-film-awards-adivi-sesh-thanks-telangana-government-for-honouring-major-expresses-gratitude-to-mahesh-babu-article-151755732|title=Gaddar Telangana Film Awards: Adivi Sesh Thanks Telangana Government For Honouring Major, Expresses Gratitude To Mahesh Babu|date=May 30, 2025|website=Times Now}}</ref>

== Plot ==
In 1992 Bombay, Baskhar Kumar is suddenly taken by [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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 leaving the trade and joining his son in [[United States|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 have 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 have been arrested for their own fraudulent activity, bringing more scrutiny. However, their removal paves 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 [[Harshad Mehta|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|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 [[Myocardial infarction|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 leave the country, having 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 ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[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 [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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
* [[Y. Kasi Viswanath|Kasi Viswanath]] as Athish Kulkarni, ex-Assistant Regional Manager of Magadha Bank, Colaba
* [[Sudha (actress)|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 Bhargavi 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
* Manava 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 Jothi Raj|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
* Pravalika Chukkala as Sumathi's Sister-in-Law}}

== Production ==

=== Development ===
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 Sithara Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's film with Venky Atluri touted to be pan-Indian action drama |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaans-film-with-venky-atluri-touted-to-be-pan-indian-action-drama-2379923-2023-05-16 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805104554/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaans-film-with-venky-atluri-touted-to-be-pan-indian-action-drama-2379923-2023-05-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> The company made a public announcement on 15 May 2023, confirming the project,<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=15 May 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan to star in 'Vaathi' director Venky Atluri's next |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dulquer-salmaan-to-star-in-vaathi-director-venky-atluris-next/article66852606.ece |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and also stating that filming would begin the following October and would be released in the Summer (June–August 2024).<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan signs his next Telugu film with Venky Atluri |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/dulquer-salmaan-signs-next-telugu-film-venky-atluri-read-details/ |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |language=en}}</ref> The film's official title, ''Lucky Bashkar'', was announced on 28 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's next with Venky Atluri titled Lucky Baskhar |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/dulquer-salmaans-next-with-venky-atluri-titled-lucky-baskhar-726909 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805104554/https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/dulquer-salmaans-next-with-venky-atluri-titled-lucky-baskhar-726909 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Filming ===
[[Principal photography]] began with the first schedule on 4 October 2023 in [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAD {{!}} Dulquer Salmaan remembers his early days in cinema: We looked like.. |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/mad-dulquer-salmaan-remembers-his-early-days-in-cinema-we-looked-like/62f24d5c6a668 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805104555/https://www.ottplay.com/news/mad-dulquer-salmaan-remembers-his-early-days-in-cinema-we-looked-like/62f24d5c6a668 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Main article|Lucky Baskhar (soundtrack)}}

The music of the film was composed by [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2024 |title=ബാങ്ക് മോഷണവുമായി ദുൽഖർ; 'ലക്കി ഭാസ്കർ' ടീസർ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2024/04/11/watch-lucky-baskhar-teaser.html |website=Manoramaonline |access-date=10 July 2024 |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710104710/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2024/04/11/watch-lucky-baskhar-teaser.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The audio rights were acquired by [[Aditya Music]].

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
''Lucky Baskhar'' was released worldwide on 31 October 2024, coinciding [[Diwali]] along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi languages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Aug/20/dulquer-salmaans-lucky-baskhar-gets-a-new-release-date-2 |access-date=21 October 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> It was initially scheduled to be released in the month of July 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan starrer Lucky Baskhar set to release in July |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Apr/11/dulquer-salmaan-starrer-lucky-baskhar-set-to-release-in-july |access-date=21 October 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> but was postponed to release on 27 September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2024 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Baskhar gets a new release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/May/29/dulquer-salmaans-lucky-baskhar-gets-a-new-release-date |access-date=21 October 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> Furthur, it was preponed to 7 September 2024 coinciding with [[Vinayaka chavithi|Vinayaka Chavithi]] but was again postponed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2024 |title=Lucky Baskhar's release date moved up |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Jul/08/lucky-baskhars-release-date-moved-up |access-date=21 October 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The film began streaming on [[Netflix]] from 28 November 2024 in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and dubbed versions of Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-28 |title='Lucky Baskhar' OTT: Dulquer Salmaan starrer starts streaming |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/lucky-baskhar-ott-dulquer-salmaan-starrer-starts-streaming/articleshow/115757377.cms |access-date=2024-11-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=25 November 2024 |title=Lucky Baskhar OTT release date: When and where to watch Dulquer Salmaan film |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/lucky-baskhar-ott-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-dulquer-salmaan-film-101732535021147.html |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> [[Star Maa]] acquired Telecasting rights.

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
''Lucky Baskhar'' received critical acclaim from critics. On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 96% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mamitha Baiju lands dream role opposite Suriya in Venky Atluri’s next |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/05/19/mamitha-baiju-lands-role-suriya-movie-venky-atluri.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Mamitha Baiju lands dream role opposite Suriya in Venky Atluri’s next |language=en}}</ref>

Paul Nicodemus of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 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."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lucky Baskhar Movie Review : Dulquer Salmaan Anchors Atluri's Engaging Retro Crime Drama |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/lucky-baskhar/movie-review/114803404.cms |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Sashidhar Adivi of ''[[Times Now]]'' gave 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."<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title=Lucky Baskhar Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan's Film Is A Fascinating Ride |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/lucky-baskhar-review-dulquer-salmaans-film-is-a-fascinating-ride-review-114813011 |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> Janani K of ''[[India Today]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "''Lucky Baskhar'' works for the major part because of Venky Atluri’s attention to detail and superlative performances."<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2024 |title=Lucky Baskhar review: Dulquer Salmaan is terrific in film on banking, share market |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/lucky-baskhar-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-terrific-in-venky-atluri-film-on-banking-share-market-2625893-2024-10-30 |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2024-10-31 |title='Lucky Baskhar' movie review: An entertaining drama from Venky Atluri and Dulquer Salmaan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/lucky-baskhar-movie-review-an-entertaining-drama-from-venky-atluri-and-dulquer-salmaan/article68813439.ece |access-date=2024-11-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
''Lucky Baskhar'' became Dulquer's first film to reach the {{INRConvert|100|c}} mark.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=Top take on south Indian cinema news - EasternEye |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/top-take-on-south-indian-cinema-news/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Venky Atluri}}
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:2024 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:2024 crime drama films]]
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:Films about banking]]
[[Category:Films about con artists]]
[[Category:Films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films directed by Venky Atluri]]
[[Category:Films scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films set in 1989]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Films set in 1992]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Foreign films set in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Stock trading films]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who break the fourth wall]]

Lucky Baskhar - Revision history

Gopalpurpp at 09:36, 3 April 2026