Prime Video has marked actor Vijay Varma’s birthday with the announcement of the worldwide premiere date of its upcoming original series ‘Matka King’. The intense drama is set to debut on April 17, 2026, across India and more than 240 countries and territories.

As per a press release, the series is positioned as a gripping narrative set in the fast-changing Bombay of the 1960s, exploring ambition, power, and identity through a unique storyline rooted in a transformative era of the city.

Created and written by Abhay Koranne and created and directed by Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, ‘Matka King’ follows the fictional journey of Brij Bhatti, a sharp-minded cotton trader played by Vijay Varma. The story traces his rise as he introduces a new gambling system, ‘Matka’, transforming what was once an elite pastime into a widespread social phenomenon that cuts across class boundaries.

Set against the backdrop of bustling markets, crowded chawls, and shifting power dynamics, the narrative captures a city in transition. What begins as an ambitious idea gradually evolves into something far larger, drawing people from different strata into its fold. As the stakes rise, the series unfolds into a layered story shaped by aspiration, risk, and the pursuit of respect.

The show features a strong ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat, and Gulshan Grover in lead roles. They are supported by actors such as Vineet Kumar Singh, Bharat Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Jamie Lever, Kishor Kadam, Cyrus Sahukar, Ishtiyak Khan and others in pivotal roles.

Produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur along with Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashwini Sidwani, and Ashish Aryan under the banners of Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat and SMR Productions, the series brings together a combination of creative voices and production expertise.

Speaking about the project, Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals at Prime Video India, described ‘Matka King’ as a compelling story of a man’s journey to succeed against the odds, blending fascination with a cautionary undertone. He noted that the rise of Brij Bhatti is both intriguing and reflective of the complexities of ambition in a changing world.

Siddharth Roy Kapur, co-producer of the series, highlighted the scale and uniqueness of the world depicted in ‘Matka King’. He pointed out that while the story is rooted in a specific time and place, its themes of ambition, identity, and human aspiration make it universally relatable. He also emphasised the creative collaboration with Nagraj Manjule and Abhay Koranne, noting that the series is brought to life with depth and authenticity by a strong ensemble cast.

With its period setting, layered storytelling and high-stakes narrative, ‘Matka King’ is positioned as a major addition to Prime Video’s original slate. The series will premiere exclusively on the platform on April 17, 2026.