PremiumMatka King update - Kritika Kamra plays female lead opposite Vijay Varma; all you need to know
Kritika Kamra confirms her role in Matka King, with filming already underway in Mumbai.
Last Updated: 05.39 PM, Jun 26, 2024
The new upcoming series Matka King on Prime Video will have Kritika Kamra as the female lead, opposite Vijay Varma. The actor reports that they have already filmed a section of the series, leaving only the meaty parts to shoot.
Kritika Kamra's character development and historical context
During an interaction with HT City, Kritika revealed that her character was heavily involved in the development of matka in Mumbai during the 1970s and 1980s. In the project, Vijay's character, the Matka King, introduces and revolutionises matka, also known as satta, or betting. Her character, along with his, plays an important role in defining this journey.
Taking place in the 1960s, the show follows the exploits of Matka King, a major player in the Indian gambling industry. Kritika says she's been really busy getting ready for the role, as she will be filming in Mumbai from July until September.
Filmmaker Nagraj Manjule and writer Abhay Koranne have immersed the actor in the script.
Sai Tamhankar joins the cast
Moreover, Matka King also features Sai Tamhankar as the female lead. Interestingly, she has never worked with Manjule and Vijay before this project.
In an interview, the actor spoke about the same, stating that she has been vocal about it in interviews and on social media, admitting that collaborating with the director has been a goal of hers. Working with him is both an exciting and nerve-wracking prospect. Without giving away her character's or the story's details, she simply said that all in all, it's a sudden breeze of excitement and thrill in her life right now.
Historical background of Ratan Khatri
Meanwhile, for people who have watched Chandu Champion, Ratan Khatri—the legendary Matka King from the 1960s to the 1990s—is the man whose winnings at his gambling den transformed the fortunes of Kartik Aaryan's Murlikant Petkar.
For the uninitiated, during the 1947 partition, Ratan Khatri—who was born into a Sindhi family—moved from Karachi, Pakistan, to India while he was a youngster. Matka is a form of gambling that started in Mumbai in 1962. He later became famous for turning it into a huge racket.
His personal story provides an intriguing backdrop for the upcoming series, and his activities and impact have become legendary.