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
Who Was The Real ‘Matka King’? The True Story Of Ratan Khatri Behind Vijay Varma’s Series In the chaotic, smoke-filled streets of 1960s Bombay, where opportunity often seemed out of reach for ordinary citizens, a quiet migrant named Ratan Khatri carved out an extraordinary legacy. Known as the “Matka King,” Khatri revolutionized gambling by creating a transparent, accessible numbers game that became a nationwide phenomenon. His life, marked by resilience and an uncanny ability to connect with people, inspired Vijay Varma’s web series Matka King, though the show takes creative liberties with certain events. Khatri’s journey began in Karachi, where he was born into a Sindhi Hindu family in 1932. The Partition of India in 1947 uprooted his life, forcing him to flee to Bombay with little more than his instincts and determination. The city, already a hub of migrants and makeshift economies, became his proving ground. Initially, he worked in the cotton trade, an industry deeply tied to global markets. However, he quickly noticed flaws in the existing betting systems—complex, opaque, and prone to manipulation. Recognizing the need for trust, he pivoted to create something entirely new. In 1962, Khatri launched what would become the Main Bazaar Matka, a system that replaced foreign commodity rates with a localized, ritualistic approach. Players drew numbers from an earthen pot, or matki, a process that felt both transparent and immediate. The simplicity of the game was its power. Bets as low as ₹1 allowed factory workers, taxi drivers, and daily wage earners to participate, transforming gambling into a shared experience rather than a high-stakes gamble. By the 1970s, his network had expanded across India, handling bets worth millions daily and creating a parallel economy that blurred the lines between legality and influence.#mumbai #matka_king #vijay_varma #ratan_khatri #bombay
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
मुलताई के क्षेत्र में अचानक आई ओलावृष्टि ने गेहूं की फसल पर गंभीर असर डाला जिले में दो दिन से मौसम में बदलाव देखे जा रहे थे। आसमान पर काले बादलों की आवाजाही बढ़ गई और गुरुवार शाम को अचानक मुलताई क्षेत्र में तेज वर्षा और ओलावृष्टि शुरू हो गई। इस बारिश के कारण गेहूं की फसल पर गंभीर चिंता बन गई। फसल पकने की अवस्था में आई बारिश ने किसानों के लिए खतरा पैदा कर दिया। बारिश के साथ ही ओले भी गिरे, जिससे फसल के नुकसान की आशंका बढ़ गई। किसानों की चिंता बढ़ गई मुलताई के किसानों को अपनी फसल के नुकसान के बारे में चिंता लग रही है। फसल पकने की अवस्था में आई बारिश ने उन्हें बड़ा झटका दिया। कृषि विज्ञानी विजय वर्मा ने कहा कि फसल की कटाई कर ली गई हो तो उसे खलिहान में सुरक्षित रखें और मौसम खुलने तक कटाई न करें। उन्होंने किसानों को सलाह दी कि अगर फसल के नुकसान की आशंका है तो उसे तुरंत बचाने के लिए कदम उठाएं। बाजार में अफरा-तफरी गुरुवार को लगने वाले साप्ताहिक बाजार में अचानक आई बारिश और ओलावृष्टि ने अफरा-तफरी का माहौल बना दिया। तेज हवा के कारण दुकानदारों के टेंट और पाल उड़ गए, वहीं खुले में रखी सामग्री भीग गई। बाजार में मौजूद लोगों ने वर्षा से बचने के लिए इधर-उधर भागकर शरण ली। किसान और व्यापारी भीगते हुए अपने सामान को बचाने में जुटे रहे। बारिश के कारण बाजार स्थल पर कीचड़ फैल गया, जिससे लोगों को आवाजाही में भारी परेशानी का सामना करना पड़ा। राजधानी के धार्मिक स्थल पर असर बारिश के कारण दुर्गा मंदिर से लेकर मुख्य मार्गों तक लगाए गए भगवा कपड़े भीगकर नीचे गिर गए। कुछ स्थानों पर कपड़े बिजली के तारों से टकरा गए, जिससे तेज आवाज के साथ करीब 10 मिनट तक बिजली आपूर्ति बाधित रही। बाद में बिजली विभाग ने सप्लाई बहाल की। राजधानी के धार्मिक स्थलों पर बारिश ने भी गंभीर असर डाला, जिससे धार्मिक आयोजनों के लिए चिंता बढ़ गई। मौसम के अचानक बदलाव के कारण मुलताई क्षेत्र में पिछले दो दिनों से मौसम में बदलाव देखे जा रहे थे। बुधवार को पूरे दिन बादल छाए रहे और धूप हल्की रही, हालांकि वर्षा नहीं हुई। गुरुवार सुबह से ही नमी और हवाओं का असर बना रहा। दोपहर बाद अचानक मौसम बिगड़ा और पहले...#kisan #vijay_varma #mul_tai #durgamaandir #bazaar
Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur's Wedding After-Party Invite Leaks: Details Revealed Actress Kritika Kamra and host Gaurav Kapur are set to exchange vows in an intimate Mumbai wedding scheduled for March 11-12, 2026. The couple has opted for a modern, minimal celebration rather than a grand destination wedding, emphasizing a personal and meaningful approach to their union. An after-party invitation, which has surfaced online, hints at a relaxed, "unhurried" evening in South Mumbai, reflecting their desire for authenticity in their new chapter. According to reports, the wedding ceremony will be a private affair, with the couple prioritizing significance over scale. The event is described as a celebration that aligns with their values, allowing them to embrace their new life together. Both Kritika and Gaurav are said to have been actively involved in every detail, from the decor to the styling, ensuring the event reflects their individual tastes and shared vision. The couple’s decision to keep the celebration intimate has sparked discussions about the influence of celebrity weddings on public perception of marriage. While some argue that such events shape fans’ views on relationships, others maintain that personal choices remain central to individual experiences. Kritika Kamra recently completed filming for an independent project, a series titled Matka King, which co-stars Vijay Varma, Sai Tamhankar, and Sammy Jonas Heaney. Meanwhile, Gaurav Kapur has been focusing on his hosting commitments and plans to resume work following the wedding. The couple’s choice to keep their celebration private underscores their preference for a low-key, heartfelt union over public spectacle. The after-party invitation, which includes details about the venue and the tone of the event, has generated interest among fans and media.#mumbai #kritika_kamra #gaurav_kapur #matka_king #vijay_varma
