According to PTI, Ratan Khatri, a pivotal figure in this underground world, transformed matka into a nationwide gambling racket. Coming from a Sindhi family, Khatri migrated to India during the partition and later became synonymous with matka gambling, establishing his own empire and attracting a clientele that reportedly included celebrities and dignitaries worldwide.
Initially associated with Kalyanji Bhagat, another prominent Matka King known for Worli Matka, Ratan Khatri ventured out independently to create his own mark with Ratan Matka. His innovative approach to the game, which evolved from betting on cotton rates to drawing playing cards, revolutionized the gambling landscape despite legal challenges that led to a brief imprisonment during the Emergency. Khatri eventually retired from the gambling business in the early 1990s and passed away in 2020.
Interestingly, the allure of matka gambling has also captured the attention of Telugu cinema, with director Karuna Kumar developing a film titled ‘Matka,’ set in the 1950s to 1980s. Starring Varun Tej in multiple roles spanning different decades, the film explores real incidents that shook the nation during that era. While the filmmakers clarify that their story isn’t based on Ratan Khatri’s life, it promises to shed light on the socio-political dynamics intertwined with the gambling culture of the time.
Now talking about the series, as aforementioned it is set against the backdrop of Mumbai in the 1960s and follows the journey of an ambitious cotton trader who seeks legitimacy and respectability by introducing a new gambling game known as Matka. The series also features a stellar cast including Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Gulshan Grover, and Siddharth Jadhav, each playing pivotal roles that contribute to the narrative’s depth and intrigue.
