| Web Series | Matka King |
| Rating | |
| Cast | Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Bhupendra Jadawat, Siddharth Jadhav, Gulshan Grover, Vineet Kumar Singh |
| Director | Nagraj Popatrao Manjule |
| Produced By | Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagraj Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashish Aryan, and Ashwini Sidwani |
| Streaming On | Amazon Prime ↗ |
| Release Date | 17th April, 2026 |
The web series Matka King, headlined by Vijay Varma, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video from the 17th of this month. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, Season 1 consists of eight episodes and dives deep into the world of gambling and power in 1960s Bombay.
Story
Set around 1962, the story introduces Brij Bhatti (Vijay Varma), who works for Lalji Bhai (played by Gulshan Grover), a feared and influential figure who runs cotton mills across the city while secretly controlling the illegal ‘Matka’ gambling network (similar theme to Varun Tej’s Matka). After being publicly humiliated when he asks for financial help, hurt and determined, Brij walks away and decides to start his own Matka business. The rest of the story is about how he developed his business and what he gained and lost in his journey.
Performances
Vijay Varma stands out as the biggest strength of the series. He completely immerses himself in the role, bringing the character to life with remarkable ease. The supporting cast, which includes veteran actor Gulshan Grover, along with Sai Tamhankar and Kritika Kamra, also delivers convincing performances that add depth to the narrative.
Matka King Review – Analysis
Co-written and directed by Nagraj Manjule, Matka King sheds light on how gambling evolved during the 1960s. While horse racing was considered a rich man’s pastime, Matka became the game of the common man. Over time, it grew so influential that it began affecting the economic fabric of Mumbai. This backdrop forms the core of the narrative.
At its heart, Matka King explores the thin line between self-respect and ego. Brij’s journey is driven by wounded pride, which transforms into ambition. His rise, however, inadvertently leaves him isolated. He faces many issues, including politics, crime, corruption, and betrayal in the dangerous world he must navigate.
The character writing feels grounded and realistic, and the way each role is shaped adds authenticity to the story. However, the slow-paced narration and some stretched moments act as hindrances in an otherwise authentic journey. The storytelling also feels somewhat predictable at times. For example, Brij losing his supporters one by one follows familiar patterns, which slightly reduces the overall engagement.
Positives
- Vijay Varma’s Performance
- Authentic Setting/Production Design of 1960s
- Effective Dialogues/Scenes
Negatives
- Predictable Feel at times
- Lack of required emotional impact
- Slow Pace
Matka King Review – Final Verdict
Matka King is a well-acted and realistic crime drama that shines with natural performances, an authentic setting, and some memorable moments. Though it falters slightly due to its slow pace and predictable narrative, it emerges as a decent watch for fans of period crime dramas.
