Nagraj Manjule opens up on Vijay Varma’s performance in Matka King, calling him a “fantastic actor” who poured his heart into the role.
So, as Matka King is getting ready to hit Prime Video for a worldwide audience, I got a chance to sit down with Nagraj Popatrao Manjule – the guy who wrote, directed and created the whole thing. He was pretty excited to talk about how the series came together and why he thinks Vijay Varma was just the right guy to play the lead, Brij Bhatti.
Vijay Varma Truly Looks Like a Hero
When Nagraj started talking about Vijay, the way he described him felt like a friend bragging about his buddy’s talent. He said that Vijay is "a fantastic actor" and what really impressed him was how Vijay would keep asking “why” for everything his character does. He’d ask questions like, “Why does Brij choose this move?” or “What’s going on in his head at that moment?” It wasn’t just about memorising lines; it was about living the tiny little details that make a hero feel real.
According to Nagraj, they would sit together a lot before shooting each scene. He liked to keep some room for spontaneity – you know, those little changes that happen on the spot that can actually make a scene pop. Vijay’s endless curiosity pushed the whole team to think harder and go beyond the script. "Matka King is a game of details," Nagraj said, and Vijay’s patience and his willingness to pour his heart into every nuance made the character feel genuine. When you finally see Brij on screen, you can’t help but feel he’s the kind of hero you’d root for, because he looks like one, he acts like one, and he feels like one.
Revisiting a World from My Childhood
One of the things that made Nagraj’s eyes light up was his personal connection to the world of Matka King. He told me that when Ashish (Aryan) and Ashwini (Sidwani) first pitched the idea, his immediate reaction was that it reminded him of the games he used to play on the streets of his hometown when he was a kid. He laughed and said, "I remember those evenings, sitting under a streetlamp, hearing the call of the matka sellers, and the thrill of the gamble. It was part of my childhood.”
Later, while brainstorming with Siddharth (Roy Kapur) sir, Nagraj felt that the series was an opportunity to revisit that world with a fresh perspective. He was genuinely excited because it let him explore a familiar environment, but now through a modern lens and with deeper storytelling. It’s like when you return to an old neighbourhood and notice new details you missed before – that sense of nostalgia mixed with discovery really drove the creative energy.
Who Is Brij Bhatti?
Digging into the heart of the story, Nagraj gave a wonderful description of Brij Bhatti. He said Brij is not just another gangster or a simple gambler; he’s more like a scientist – a mind that invents a game, someone bold enough to create something from scratch. The character’s intelligence shines through in the way he plans his moves, and his courage is evident in taking big risks. But at the core, Brij’s biggest strength is his honesty. "I have seen a lot of people like Brij Bhatti," Nagraj noted. "His integrity, even when he’s pushing boundaries, makes him stand out."
This blend of intellect, daring, and honesty is what Nagraj believes makes the character so compelling, and why Vijay Varma could bring that mix to life so naturally. Vijay’s own dedication to understanding Brij’s motives helped turn the script into something that feels almost real, like you could meet Brij in a local tea stall and have a genuine conversation about his dreams.
Ensemble Cast and What to Expect
Matka King isn’t just about Vijay Varma and Brij Bhatti; it’s a whole ensemble that adds different flavors to the story. The series was created and written by Abhay Koranne, while Nagraj Manjule wore many hats – creator, writer and director. Alongside Vijay, you’ll see Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat and Gulshan Grover in some pretty important roles.
The roster goes on with Bharat Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Jamie Lever, Kishor Kadam, Cyrus Sahukar, Ishtiyak Khan and many others. Each actor brings a unique vibe, from the gritty humour of Ishtiyak Khan to the seasoned intensity of Gulshan Grover. It feels a bit like a big family reunion, where everyone knows each other’s strengths and they come together to tell this layered story about risk, instinct and power.
The series will be streaming exclusively on Prime Video for viewers in India and for audiences across a huge number of countries and territories worldwide. That means fans from Mumbai to Manali, Delhi to Dubai, will get to dive into this world that’s built on a mix of nostalgia, street‑level drama and high stakes.
My Takeaway
Listening to Nagraj Manjule talk about Matka King felt like a chat over chai with a friend who’s just come back from a thrilling trip. He’s honest about the challenges, the spontaneous changes, and the deep respect he has for Vijay Varma’s dedication. The whole series seems to be a love letter to a world that shaped many of us growing up, yet it’s told with a fresh, modern edge.
If you’re someone who enjoys stories that are gritty but also have heart, or if you simply love watching an actor pour his soul into a role, this series might just be the perfect binge. The combination of an insightful director, a committed lead actor, and a strong supporting cast promises a viewing experience that feels both personal and expansive.
So, keep an eye out on Prime Video. When Matka King finally lands, you’ll probably find yourself thinking about those street‑corner games, the excitement of a gamble, and the heroism that lives in ordinary people – all thanks to Vijay Varma’s Brij Bhatti and Nagraj Manjule’s vision.
