Vijay Varma Draws Parallels Between His Life and 'Matka King' Character
Actor Vijay Varma opened up about the striking similarities between his own life experiences and those of his character in the highly anticipated series "Matka King". Speaking at the trailer launch event on Tuesday, Varma shared that, much like Brij Bhatti, the enterprising cotton trader he portrays, he arrived in Mumbai with minimal possessions but a wealth of ambition.
From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
"He (Brij) came to Mumbai after Partition with his brother when he was just seven years old," Varma explained, detailing the character's backstory. "Gradually, he started doing all kinds of work, got married, secured a house and a job, but as a middle-class man, he is not allowed to dream. This is something he questions deeply."
Varma revealed that this quest for dreaming big resonated powerfully with his own journey. "I too came to Mumbai with a suitcase, three pairs of clothes, a single pair of shoes, and a bag full of books. I feel that was the profound connection I discovered with the character," the actor stated, highlighting the personal link that drew him to the role.
The World of 'Matka King'
Set in the vibrant 1960s Mumbai, "Matka King" is a new series streaming on Prime Video, directed by the acclaimed Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, known for films like "Sairat" and "Jhund". The narrative revolves around Varma's character, Brij Bhatti, who innovates a new gambling system called 'Matka', transforming it into a nationwide sensation. The story is said to be inspired by the life of Ratan Khatri, widely regarded as one of India's pioneering figures in the betting world.
Collaborating with a Visionary Director
Varma expressed immense admiration for director Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, praising his mastery over the craft evident in works like "Fandry", "Sairat", and "Jhund". "It was my dream to work with him," Varma confessed. "When I watched his films, I was amazed that he chose to cast me. He doesn't necessarily rely on established actors; for instance, his first film 'Fandry' featured non-actors, 'Sairat' launched two lead actors, and in 'Jhund', apart from Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, the entire cast consisted of rank newcomers."
The actor admitted to initial apprehensions, thinking his acting might be exposed. "I had to unlearn a lot to work with this gentleman. He is one of the finest directors we have. I can't wait to collaborate with him more. If I've done a decent job, I hope he works with me again," Varma added with a hopeful tone.
Reflecting on Career Milestones
A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Vijay Varma rose to prominence after a series of small roles. His breakthrough came with Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy" in 2019, which he credits as a life-changing moment. "I was down in the dumps when that film happened to me; it saved me and gave me a career. I'm eternally thankful," he reflected.
Since then, Varma has headlined notable projects such as "Darlings", "Dahaad", "Mirzapur", "She", "Jaanejaan", and "Gustakh Ishq". On an interesting note, when asked about the coincidence of him playing a character named Hamza in "Darlings" and his "Gully Boy" co-star Ranveer Singh portraying a different Hamza in "Dhurandhar", Varma called it a fascinating piece of movie trivia.
In "Darlings", Varma played Hamza Shaikh, an alcoholic and abusive husband, while Singh's Hamza is an undercover Indian agent. Varma joked, "When life throws Hamza at you, make it like a 'Dhurandhar' Hamza and not like a 'Darlings' Hamza." He also praised Ranveer Singh as one of the finest co-actors he has worked with.
Star-Studded Cast and Release Details
"Matka King" features an ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Gulshan Grover, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, and Jamie Lever, among others. The series is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashwini Sidwani, and Ashish Aryan under the banners of Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, and SMR Productions.
Mark your calendars: "Matka King" is set to debut exclusively on Prime Video on April 17, promising a gripping tale of ambition, struggle, and the pursuit of dreams in the bustling heart of Mumbai.
