Mumbai, India — April 19, 2026
The much-anticipated web series Matka King starring Vijay Varma has finally premiered, offering a layered crime drama set against the backdrop of 1960s Bombay. With a grand narrative scale and a compelling central performance, the show aims high—but doesn’t always sustain its early momentum.
Rating: ⭐ 3.5/5
Story: A Rise Fueled by Risk, Power, and Ambition
Set in the turbulent 1960s, Matka King explores a time when money, luck, and power intersected in complex ways. The story revolves around Brij Bhatt (Vijay Varma), a seemingly ordinary worker under Laljibhai (Gulshan Grover), who gradually rises through the ranks of an underground gambling empire.
The series dives into the world of “matka,” portrayed as a numbers-based betting system where fortunes are made and destroyed overnight. As Brij learns to decode the system, he evolves into a dominant force within this shadowy network.
Beyond gambling, the narrative attempts to weave in multiple layers—touching on politics, cricket, the underworld, and even the lives of mill workers—suggesting how deeply this ecosystem influenced society.
Performances: Vijay Varma Leads, Others Underused
Vijay Varma delivers a controlled and nuanced performance as Brij Bhatt. His transformation from a small-time player to a powerful figure feels grounded and believable. However, as the story progresses, his emotional range begins to feel repetitive, limiting the character’s depth.
Sai Tamhankar, playing Brij’s wife Barkha, gets ample screen time but remains confined to a largely supportive role with limited narrative impact.
Kritika Kamra portrays Gulrukh, a wealthy and ambitious Parsi widow. While her character is intriguing initially, it lacks development in later episodes, and her chemistry with Brij doesn’t fully land.
Siddharth Jadhav stands out in his appearances, adding energy to the narrative. Gulshan Grover’s strong start gradually fades as his character loses significance.
Supporting actors like Cyrus Sahukar and Jamie Lever appear in smaller roles but are not given enough scope to leave a lasting impression.
Direction & Screenplay: Strong Vision, Uneven Execution
Director Nagraj Manjule brings an ambitious vision to the series, especially evident in sequences depicting the matka gambling operations. These moments are visually engaging and carry a sense of tension.
However, the storytelling struggles with consistency. While the opening episodes are gripping, the narrative becomes predictable as it progresses. Familiar crime-drama tropes—betrayal, rivalry, and downfall—start to dominate, reducing the impact of the story.
The core issue lies in the writing and screenplay, which attempt to juggle multiple themes without fully developing any single thread. The pacing also falters, with mid-season episodes feeling stretched and weighed down by underdeveloped subplots.
Music & Atmosphere: Period Feel, Limited Recall Value
The music, composed by Amit Trivedi along with Parag Chhabra, B. Prasanna, and Ajay Jayanthi, effectively captures the essence of the 1960s era.
Tracks like “Hoga Savera,” “Bhaga Re,” and the title theme help build the show’s atmosphere, while the background score by Ketan Sodha adds tension to key sequences. However, none of the songs leave a lasting impression beyond the viewing experience.
What Works and What Doesn’t
Strengths:
- Strong opening episodes
- Vijay Varma’s compelling performance
- Authentic 1960s setting and production design
- Engaging depiction of the matka gambling system
Weaknesses:
- Predictable storyline in later episodes
- Underdeveloped supporting characters
- Uneven pacing and stretched narrative
- Lack of impactful twists
Final Verdict
Matka King offers a visually rich and ambitious look into a fascinating chapter of Mumbai’s past. It succeeds in building an engaging world but falls short of fully immersing the audience due to inconsistent storytelling and limited character depth.
For viewers interested in period crime dramas and the evolution of underground networks in India, the series is worth a watch—though it may not fully meet expectations for tightly written, twist-heavy narratives.
