‘Matka King’ has emerged as the most-watched new scripted series on Prime Video in the last two years, marking a strong global debut for the platform’s latest original. Since its premiere on April 17, the show has trended in the Top 10 across 37 countries and secured the number one position in 17 countries within its opening week.
According to an Amazon MX Player press release, the series’ performance highlights the growing global appetite for Indian stories rooted in authenticity while carrying universal appeal. The strong international traction further underlines the expanding footprint of Indian content across streaming platforms.
Set in the fast-changing Bombay of the 1960s, the series follows the journey of Brij Bhatti, an enterprising cotton trader who introduces ‘Matka’, an honest gambling system that transforms what was once an elite pastime into a nationwide phenomenon. The narrative blends ambition, power, and identity, offering a layered portrayal of a man navigating opportunity and risk in a rapidly evolving city.
The show is created and written by Abhay Koranne and Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, who also directs the series. It is 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 Entertainment.
Leading the cast is Vijay Varma, whose portrayal of Brij Bhatti has drawn significant attention. He is joined by Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat, and Gulshan Grover in key roles, supported by an ensemble that includes Bharat Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Jamie Lever, Kishor Kadam, Cyrus Sahukar, Arpita Sethiya, Sambhaji Tangade, Ishtiyak Khan, Sanjivv Jotangia, and Simran Ashwini.
Speaking on the success, Nikhil Madhok, Director and Head of Originals, Prime Video India, noted that the series’ widespread reach reflects the platform’s commitment to championing diverse Indian narratives that resonate globally. He highlighted that the show’s setting, combined with a compelling storyline and strong performances, has struck a chord with audiences across geographies.
With its strong opening week performance, ‘Matka King’ adds to the growing list of Indian series making a global impact, reinforcing how local stories—when told with depth and authenticity—can travel far beyond borders.
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