Nagraj Manjule's OTT Debut with 'Matka King' Inspired by Game of Thrones Nagraj Manjule, the acclaimed director behind films such as Fandry, Sairat, and Jhund, has made his long-awaited debut on over-the-top (OTT) platforms with the series Matka King. The project, starring Vijay Varma, marks a significant shift in Manjule’s career, driven by his admiration for the fantasy drama Game of Thrones, which he credits with reshaping his approach to storytelling. Manjule revealed that Game of Thrones was the first OTT show he watched during the pandemic lockdown, and it fundamentally altered his perspective on narrative structure. “When I saw it, I realized OTT has a different strength. You keep binge-watching a long story,” he explained in an interview with PTI. This revelation, he said, inspired him to embrace the format for Matka King, a series that blends historical intrigue with social commentary. The eight-episode series follows Brij Bhatti, a sharp-minded cotton trader navigating the socio-economic shifts of 1960s Bombay. Set against the backdrop of bustling markets and evolving power dynamics, the story explores themes of ambition, class, and systemic inequality. Manjule emphasized that Matka King diverges from his previous works, which often focused on caste oppression. “This is different from Fandry or Sairat—it’s a new kind of story,” he said. The project was developed in collaboration with producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, who shared the same vision for the subject. Manjule described the process as organic, noting that the idea for Matka King had been in the works for years. “We were already working on it with Ashwini Sidwani and Ashish Aryan. Amazon liked it, and the work started,” he said.#amazon #vijay_varma #game_of_thrones #nagraj_manjule #siddharth_roy_kapur
Vijay Varma on Matka King and the Complexity of Human Nature Vijay Varma, known for his nuanced portrayals of flawed yet compelling characters, discusses his latest role as Brij Bhatti in the series Matka King. Bhatti, a cotton trader in 1960s Bombay, is credited with creating the gambling system “matka,” which became a cultural phenomenon. Varma reflects on the allure of Bhatti’s story, noting how the myth of the man initially captivated him more than the reality. The trader’s journey from a rural outsider to a city-based innovator, who built a massive following while maintaining principles against corruption, struck Varma as a paradox. “The dichotomy of it didn’t miss me—talking about a world of gambling, yet the idea that it was done with utmost sincerity, honesty, and integrity,” he explains. Varma describes the process of embodying Bhatti as a collaborative and evolving endeavor. Working alongside director Nagraj Manjule, he emphasizes the shared sense of curiosity and discovery. The pair shot the series over 18–19 days spread across 10 months, refining their approach daily. Manjule’s methodical storytelling and deep cultural roots influenced the project, with the director’s commitment to authenticity evident in the integration of real-life stories from matka culture. Varma mentions meeting family members of Bhatti and others from the era, whose accounts enriched the narrative. “We were both unaware and curious about the time, the game, the person, the people, and the society,” he says. The actor draws parallels between Bhatti’s journey and his own career. Varma highlights the theme of starting from scratch, forging one’s path while adhering to personal principles. He also notes the resemblance between Bhatti and his own father, a reflection that deepened his connection to the role.#dhurandar #matka_king #vijay_varma #nagraj_manjule #brij_bhatti
