After building anticipation around its ambitious period drama, Prime Video has finally unveiled the trailer of its upcoming original series Matka King, headlined by Vijay Varma. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly transforming Bombay in the 1960s, the series is slated to premiere on April 17 across India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Created and written by Abhay Koranne, and created, written, and directed by Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, the show is produced by Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, and SMR Entertainment. The series also stars Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat, and Gulshan Grover in key roles, alongside an ensemble supporting cast.
The trailer introduces viewers to Brij Bhatti, played by Vijay Varma—a sharp cotton trader navigating post-Independence Bombay. Driven by ambition, he disrupts the social order by transforming gambling into a widespread phenomenon known as ‘Matka’. However, as the stakes rise, so do the consequences, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of power, risk, and survival.
Vijay Varma, as Brij Bhatti, shared, “Working in Matka King has been an exhilarating journey. Bringing this world and this character to life was both challenging and deeply fulfilling, especially in the backdrop of a different era altogether that I had never explored before. Also, returning to a Prime Original after Dahaad and Mirzapur is splendid. Our creators, Nagraj Manjule and Abhay Koranne, gave me the creative freedom to dive deep into Brij’s world, and working alongside talented co-stars such as Kritika, Sai, and Gulshan Grover, and the entire cast, made it all the more rewarding. At its heart, Matka King is a story of ambition, power, and the price one pays for success, which I feel is universal, and will therefore be an engaging watch for audiences in India and around the world. I can’t wait for viewers to experience it when the series premieres on Prime Video on April 17.”
Kritika Kamra, talking about her role in the series, said, “My character in Matka King is quite different from anything I have done until now. It challenged me to delve into her world of choices, ambitions, and resilience. Every scene offered an opportunity to explore her motivations and inner strength, which was both exciting and demanding as an actor. This series tells a story about people, power, and personal journeys, and I am thrilled for audiences to experience it when it premieres on Prime Video in India and across 240-plus countries and territories around the world on April 17.”
Sai Tamhankar, who plays Barkha, Brij Bhatti’s wife, in the series, shared, “On the surface, one may think that Barkha is a typical middle-class housewife. However, she is actually nuanced and layered, a forward-thinking, independent woman who is not walking in the shadows of her husband but carving her own path on her own terms. This role gave me the opportunity to explore a character that is completely different from anything I have done before. Matka King is not just the story of one man’s dream for success; it is a tale of ambitions, choices, complex human relationships, and personal journeys of every character. I am confident that viewers will not only enjoy it but also deeply resonate with these emotions.”
Speaking about backing the project, Siddharth Roy Kapur of Roy Kapur Films said, “With Matka King, we knew we were placing a bold bet on a story that demanded scale and authenticity. Set against the volatile, fast-evolving landscape of 1960s Bombay, the series explores ambition, identity, and the price one can pay in the pursuit of legitimacy and respect. While the world is specific, the stakes are universal and that balance is what thrilled us from the very beginning. Releasing the trailer and announcing the global premiere today is incredibly exciting for the whole team, as audiences get their first glimpse into a world we have been carefully building for years. Guided by the visionary filmmaker Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, crafted by the supremely talented Abhay Koranne, and supported by an ensemble of sensational actors, Matka King reflects the kind of creative leaps we believe are worth taking. We are proud to partner with Prime Video to take this story across the world and can’t wait for audiences to dive in when the series premieres globally on April 17.”
Director Nagraj Popatrao Manjule added, “Matka King is more than a period drama. It tells the story of a man who dares to fight for respect, pursue his dreams, and in doing so, changes the ecosystem around him. Every frame reflects tension, ambition, and high stakes, with period-accurate interiors, props, costumes, and lighting to enhance the characters’ emotional journey. Collaborating with Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, SMR Entertainment, and Prime Video helped bring this vision to life. I can’t wait for viewers to experience the intensity and depth of the series on April 17.”
With its intense premise, layered characters, and a richly recreated era, Matka King is shaping up to be a compelling addition to the streaming platform’s growing slate of original content.