Set in 1960s Bombay (Mumbai), Amazon Prime Video’s Matka King is a gritty crime drama that explores the rise of illegal gambling in the city, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The series is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashwini Sidwani, and Ashish Aryan, under the banners of Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, and SMR Entertainment.

With the opening scene itself, the series builds curiosity, introducing the central character Brij Bhatti, played by Vijay Varma, wrapped in blood stains and stabbing marks all over his body, but wasting no time, Brij’s biggest supporter, Dagdu, played by Siddharth Jadhav, narrates his story, taking us back in time. Brij was a cotton trader who turned a small idea into a massive Matka empire. He worked at Mumbai’s biggest cotton factory owned by Lalji Bhai, played by Gulshan Grover, the gambling giant whose business thrives on cheating, and this very fact pinches Brij.

However, Brij never wished to go against Lalji to open his own gambling hub until he was rejected by him for whom he worked, not caring about right or wrong. When Brij pleads to Lalji for money to save himself and his brother Lacha, played by Bhupendra Jadawat, this shows the power of the rich and the inability of the poor. If viewed at one point, it seems like a rags-to-riches narrative, but as a whole, the plot mirrors the reality of the gambling world.

In the world of gambling, where everyone cheats, Brij wished to offer people fair chances to test their fortune. Despite several failed attempts, Brij cracks a deal to run his gambling operation, but his decision to be fair always brings him down. However, he still holds himself aloof, which makes his personality distant. Brij was a man of values, honor, and emotions. Though he was gambling, he did it clean, transparent, and rooted in fairness. What made Brij a Matka King was his clever gambling techniques using the “Matka”, which carved out his niche.

Amidst the tense notes of the series, Barkha’s character, played by Sai Tamhankar, brings a softness and serenity. Gulrukh, played by Kritika Kamra, a young Parsi widow, adds a different layer to the story.

The series, rooted in suspense and woven with layered storytelling, keeps the viewers invested, making one think. However, the unexpected twists ahead elevate the drama.

The scene where Jinu Bhai, played by Istayak Arif Khan, comes with his men to rip off Lacha’s finger after he fails to repay his 5000 rupees, and this very thing pushes Brij into the world of gambling, only to change his fate entirely. This very scene keeps viewers on the edge and sets the stage for what one can expect ahead.

Vijay Varma as Brij shines, delivering a compelling performance—his clean-shaven look in a checked shirt and bottom shows his personality rooted in values, while the cigarette in his hand depicts the addiction to smoking.

The makers convincingly recreate old Bombay—crowded chawls, smoky gambling dens, and the changing fate. With the shots perfectly captured, the series takes us back in time, while the powerful performances and edge-of-the-seat moments make this gambling crime thriller a must-watch.

IWMBuzz rates Matka King 4 out of 5 stars!