Matka King arrives! Prime Video sets April 2026 date for Nagraj Manjule and Vijay Varma's deliberate period drama

Vijay Varma stars in Matka King a 1960s Mumbai crime drama directed by Nagraj Manjule. After production delays for period accuracy, the series finally hits Prime Video in April 2026.

Matka King ft. Vijay Varma

Matka King a much-anticipated criminal procedural, has finalised its release date on Prime Video. The series, starring Vijay Varma and directed by Nagraj Manjule, will launch in April 2026. The announcement comes after production and post-production work on the historical Mumbai environment of the mid-century period lasted over two years.

Why was Matka King absent from Prime Video's 2025 schedule?

In June 2024, Varma's set updates signalled the start of principal photography, which initially garnered attention for the project. Prime Video had planned to include the series in its 2025 content showcase, but it remained absent from the streaming service's release schedule throughout the year. This incident led to speculation about potential production delays or creative overhauls. The production crew intentionally chose to stretch the timetable to accurately portray the period environment, according to industry sources.

Set in Mumbai in the 1960s, Matka King traces the rise of a huge gambling ring. Varma plays the role of a cotton trader who evolves into the mastermind behind the city's cultural phenomena, the "Matka" lottery and betting system. With a focus on the textile industry, the working class, and the emerging underworld, the series is anticipated to reveal the socio-economic realities of the era.

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How did the scale of Matka King impact the timeline?

According to a report in Mid Day, an insider revealed that the complexity of Manjule's debut in the historical drama genre was the main reason for the release delay. According to an insider, production on Matka King finished in 2025, and the streamer's upper management was eager to premiere the show that same year. The source also revealed that it took time for a production of this magnitude to attain the greatest outcome. This is Nagraj's first go at a historical drama, and it will give an accurate portrayal of Bombay in the 1960s. The production will not compromise on quality or rush to meet the director's deadline. Everything is in order for the show to premiere online in April.

The filmmaker and the streaming platform have worked together on a substantial project, with support from Roy Kapur Films and Manjule’s Gargi Films. He supposedly viewed this criminal drama through the same critical lens as his acclaimed Sairat and Jhund which are noted for their realism and social consciousness. Production design included massive sets that recreated 1960s Bombay, down to the crowded cotton markets and changing city skyline.

Which cast members are joining Matka King?

Fans of Varma's work in Dahaad and Mirzapur in India are hoping that he gives a nuanced performance as the gambling kingpin. Although the makers have been tight-lipped about their precise roles, Kritika Kamra and Sai Tamhankar are among the series' strong supporting cast members.

Bets on the opening and closing cotton rates sent from the New York Cotton Exchange provide the historical backdrop for the performance, which is based on the real-life evolution of the Matka gambling system. Local operators came up with creative ways to keep the company going when the New York exchange banned it in the early 1960s; this led to the establishment of the indigenous Matka industry.

What is the marketing strategy for the April launch?

The series' rollout strategy is winding down, so Prime Video will likely launch a formal promotional campaign in the coming weeks to promote it. Aimed at a worldwide audience interested in crime stories set in Indian history, Matka King is the streamer's big tentpole release for the second quarter of 2026.

Matka King FAQs:

Q: What is the release date of Matka King on Prime Video?

A: Matka King is scheduled to premiere in April 2026. While the series finished filming in 2025, the release was strategically moved to the second quarter of 2026 to allow director Nagraj Manjule and his team to perfect the extensive post-production work required for the 1960s period setting.

Q: Is Matka King based on a true story?

A: Yes, Matka King is inspired by real-life events and the evolution of the Matka gambling system in Mumbai. It draws inspiration from the life of Ratan Khatri, who was known as the original "Matka King" and transformed a simple betting system based on cotton rates into a massive gambling syndicate that dominated the city for decades.

Q: Who is in the cast of the Matka King?

A: Matka King features Vijay Varma in the lead role as the ambitious cotton trader. He is supported by a talented ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Gulshan Grover, and Siddharth Jadhav.

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