Soon, actor Vijay Varma, known for Mirzapur, will be seen in his new web series Matka King. The series also stars Kritika Kamra and Sai Tamhankar in important roles, and is directed by Nagraj Manjule.

Recently, the cast and director interacted with a media house, where they spoke openly about the story, their characters, and their shooting experiences. Here are the key highlights from the conversation.

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How did Matka King begin?

Nagraj Manjule: Matka King started with producers Ashwini Siddwani and Aashish Aryan, who brought the idea to me. Later, Sid Sir also wanted to work on the same subject. We decided to collaborate, and that's how the project began.

First reaction to your role and the challenges?

Vijay Varma: What attracted me first was the strong script and the opportunity to work with Nagraj Manjule. It had always been my wish to work with him, so I immediately said yes without thinking too much. But I also felt a little nervous about whether I would be able to do full justice to the role. It was a completely different fictional world, which made it a new acting experience.
The most challenging part was understanding the card game, constant multitasking, and maintaining focus all the time. I had to practice daily to fully get into the character.

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What genre do you like?

Kritika Kamra: I like content that is not limited to a single genre. I enjoy shows that have multiple emotions and layers-something that is not just a thriller or just a comedy, but a mix of both. I am drawn to projects that surprise you and don't fit into one category. I am also a 'content junkie' who loves binge-watching different kinds of series and films.

Was it planned as a series from the beginning or as a film?

Nagraj Manjule: Many stories have already been made on this subject, so the biggest challenge was to show something new and avoid repetition. For me, Matka King is like a game-an addictive game that pulls you in. From the beginning, we felt the subject was too big for a film. That's why we decided to make it a web series so the story could be told properly.

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Is it difficult to work on scam-like subjects?

Vijay Varma: This is not a scam, it is a game-and a very interesting one. Its biggest strength is its uniqueness. It is a very engaging subject and different from other series.

Experience working with co-actors and career reflections