Good movies going underappreciated isn’t a new phenomenon—it happens from time to time. Lucky Baskhar seems to be the latest addition to that list. On paper, it’s surprising that the film barely crossed the ₹100 crore mark. But this isn’t necessarily a result of bad filmmaking or the movie itself being subpar.
Despite the initial buzz, the film wasn’t marketed effectively outside Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While it gained some traction in Kerala, its reach beyond that was limited. Northern multiplex chains appear to continue sidelining southern films, and its performance in overseas markets, though not abysmal, was far from remarkable.
But can we attribute its underperformance solely to marketing? Not entirely.
The film has received high ratings, but its subject matter is both brave and divisive. It’s bold, yes, but not universally appealing. Many speculate that Lucky Baskhar took inspiration from The Wolf of Wall Street. However, unlike its Hollywood counterpart, this film leans into an artsy tone, which seems to have alienated mainstream audiences.
The plot follows Baskhar (Dulquer Salmaan), a lower-middle-class man drowning in financial troubles and humiliation. In his desperation to support his family and escape poverty, he begins exploiting loopholes in the banking system, starting small but eventually orchestrating large-scale stock market scams and money laundering. His meteoric rise in wealth is narrated through Baskhar’s own fourth-wall-breaking commentary, chronicling his transformation from humble beginnings to arrogance and unbridled ambition.
As Baskhar’s choices strain his relationships, his wife Sumathi (Meenakshi Chaudhary) confronts his moral compromises, forcing him to reckon with his actions and the chaos he has unleashed. The film delves into themes of greed, morality, and redemption—challenging yet polarizing topics.
Now that it’s arriving on OTT, the movie might finally find its audience. Its experimental nature and measured pacing make it more suitable for streaming viewers than theatrical ones.
Will it succeed?
Netflix is releasing Lucky Baskhar in multiple southern languages and Hindi, which broadens its potential reach. However, without a solid promotional push, it risks being another missed opportunity. The film undeniably has immense potential, but whether it gets the recognition it deserves remains. It is releasing on Netflix today, so, you don’t have to wait much to stream it.