Matka King, Amazon Prime’s latest web series, is set in the risky and restless lanes of Bombay in the 1960s. It takes inspiration from Ratan Khatri, a businessman who changed the face of underground gambling in the city. With his own game ‘matka’, he wanted to break the system of gambling that only the rich and upper class had access to. Starring Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Gulshan Grover, Siddharth Jadhav, and Bhupendra Jadawat, Matka King showcases the world of power, probability, and perception. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, the series is a story of control, consequences, and an illusion of winning that can flip around at any second. But is the 8-episode series worth betting your time on? Read this Matka King review to find out.

A game of chance, power, and control

At its heart, Matka King is about a man, Brij Bhatti (Vijay Varma), who spots an opportunity, grabs it, and runs with the risks of it. Fed up with his lying, controlling, and dishonest boss, Lalji Bhai (Gulshan Grover), Brij decides to quit and find a way to get into the gambling business and beat Lalji at his own game. While Lalji is a cotton trader by day, he also runs a huge gambling business and cheats people to win and stay in power. But Brij, along with his right-hand man, Dagdu (Siddharth Jadhav), decides to start his own game called ‘matka‘ to make gambling accessible to the masses.

With his honest effort in a dishonest game, he initially struggles but successfully creates a city-wide obsession for his game. Suddenly, everyone is playing, and more importantly, everyone is investing. “Jhooth ke registan mein Bhatti seth ne sachchai ka fawara gaad diya.”

What initially looks like a game of luck and numbers quickly turns into a game of power and control. More people, including upper-class Parsi widow Gulrukh (Kritika Kamra) and Brij’s brother Lachu (Bhupendra Jadawat), help him expand his game. Gulrukh and Brij start sharing a more personal dynamic, and while his integrity upholds his business, his marriage with Barkha (Sai Tamhankar) crumbles. As the network grows, so does the pressure. Loyalities start to blur, risks get higher, and every win feels a little uncertain. At every new turn, Matka King reminds you that in a game like this, control is never as solid as it seems. And by the time you’re invested, it is no longer about how the empire was built; it is about how long it lasts.

A slow burn that stays with you

Matka King holds you in its grip from the beginning and doesn’t waste time building a narrative. It is sharp, gritty, and visually appealing, which instantly makes you connect to the story and its characters. The cast of the show fits brilliantly into their roles, and nobody feels like a supporting actor after a point. Every character is the hero of their tale and lends the show their own tone, personality, and perspective. The dynamics keep changing every minute, quietly without warning, keeping you glued to your screen.

Vijay Varma as Brij simply ate. His role is compelling, confident, and intense. Yet it holds a subtle sense of honesty, never letting the control of his character slip away. Siddharth Jadhav as Dagdu shines bright and delivers a promising performance. Gulshan Grover as Lalji perfectly plays the role of the corrupt, dishonest, greedy seth who will go to any lengths to destroy his competition. Kritika Kamra as Gulrukh brings grace and mystery to her character. She commands your attention every time she is on screen. Sai Tamhankar as Barkha brings an emotional depth to the show and adds a sharp contrast to Vijay’s character. The supporting cast does wonderfully well and adds a little more soul to the show.

Matka King is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Can you watch it with your family?: The show features explicit content and abusive language, but if you can all be adults about it, Matka King is worth watching.