Nagraj Manjule's eight-episode period drama Matka King, now streaming on Prime Video, has sparked widespread discussion across social media. Headlined by Vijay Varma, the series dives into the gritty underbelly of 1960s Mumbai, centering on the high-stakes world of matka gambling. It traces the compelling rise of a cotton trader who ascends to become the city's undisputed “Matka King”.
The series was released on April 17, 2026, and within a day, Vijay Varma's Matka King had generated significant buzz among viewers. While several fans are showering praise on the actor for his terrific and intense performance, a section of the audience has pointed out that the series feels a bit slow in parts.
An X user shared honest review, saying, "started watching matka king with zero expectations only for vijay verma and he did NOT disappoint."
started watching matka king with zero expectations
— amitsarda.xyz (@sardamit) April 17, 2026
only for vijay verma
and
he did NOT disappoint
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Another user happily expressed their review on Matka King and commented, "@MrVijayVarma. Binge watched Matka king on the first day itself and loved it. Really interesting and a must watch. Uff ur intense eyes. Brij bhatti ji the way u speak in marathi when u say निघतो & काय नाव has my heart. Ur chemistry with #SaiTamhankar is lovely."
@MrVijayVarma Binge watched Matka king on the first day itself and loved it????Really interesting and a must watch????????Uff ur intense eyes????Brij bhatti ji the way u speak in marathi when u say निघतो & काय नाव has my heart????????Ur chemistry with #SaiTamhankar is lovely???? #MatkaKingOnPrime
— Pooja Sawant (@Poojasawant95) April 17, 2026
"Sahi he for timepass agar dusra kuch na ho dekhne ko to. Mujhe connection missing laga jisse audience me attraction rahe next episode dekhne ka. Baaki bura nehi he so so," wrote a user on X.
Sahi he for timepass agar dusra kuch na ho dekhne ko to. Mujhe connection missing laga jisse audience me attraction rahe next episode dekhne ka. Baaki bura nehi he so so
— Kiranjit Das (@KiranjitDas86) April 18, 2026
Calling it worth your time and commitment, a user commented, "I personally loved Matka King because of the important lessons that it provides on business, politics and life which I believe we can all apply in our lives powered by wonderful performances from Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra and Gulshan Grover 8/10. Worth your time and commitment."
I personally loved Matka King because of the important lessons that it provides on business, politics and life which I believe we can all apply in our lives powered by wonderful performances from Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra and Gulshan Grover 8/10. Worth your time and commitment pic.twitter.com/piqxvVR7HZ
— Suchit Seth (@SuchitSeth2) April 17, 2026
Adding more praise to Vijay Varma, a user wrote, "Vijay bhai has set everything on fire, bro! It's a pretty intense show, Matka King! Must watch."
Vijay bhai ne kya aag lagayi hai bhai! Kaafi kadak show hai Matka King! Must watch
— Sandeep kishore ???????? (@sandeepkishore_) April 17, 2026
"Just started watching matka king and brooo vijay varma has killed it with the accent, the looks, the body language and that AURAAAA," commented another user on X.
Just started watching matka king and brooo vijay varma has killed it with the accent, the looks, the body language and that AURAAAA????????????
— Sourabh Bakshi (@SourabhBakshi_) April 17, 2026
Check out a few more Matka King X Reviews below:
Watch *Matka King* on Prime...superb performance by Vijay Verma????????????@actorvijay#Matkaking
— Peeyush ???????? (@ColPeeyushAgg) April 17, 2026
Already watched it. Vijay Varma nailed it as Matka King
— Archit Joshi (@ArchitJos) April 17, 2026
This web series on Prime Video portrays, in a somewhat cinematic style, the journey of Brij Bhatti—from quitting his employer's job to starting the ‘Matka' business and becoming the ‘Matka King'—up until the period of the Emergency. & rest continuing in its 2nd season.. love ❤️it pic.twitter.com/DhSZo6SoTh
— STat. Advait Akash Shah (@advait_akash) April 17, 2026
Matka King
In 1960s Bombay, Brij Bhatti (Vijay Varma), a cotton trader, starts a new gambling game called Matka, which is accessible to everyone, not just the elite class. What begins as a small idea quickly becomes a massive craze. Brij eventually becomes the powerful Matka King, but the success is followed by challenges, rivals, and hard choices.
Cast
The Matka King cast features an impressive ensemble led by Vijay Varma, Sai Tamhankar, Kritika Kamra, and Gulshan Grover. Other actors include Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat, Bharat Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Jamie Lever, and Cyrus Sahukar.
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