Bombay High Court Denies Stay on Roy Kapur Film’s Matka King

Streaming Details and Legal Controversy

Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming show, Matka King, featuring Vijay Varma in the lead role, is scheduled to begin streaming tomorrow. However, the series is currently embroiled in a legal dispute initiated by Tanuja Bhagat, who asserts that the show is based on her late grandfather, Kalyanji Bhagat.

Kalyanji Bhagat is recognized for establishing the Matka gambling game in Mumbai during the 1960s after initially engaging in masala trade since the 1940s. Tanuja Bhagat raised concerns about the show’s content in 2023, urging the creators to either halt production or consult her family for accuracy regarding her grandfather’s legacy.

When her concerns went unaddressed, Tanuja Bhagat issued a cease-and-desist notice in April 2024, followed by a formal petition in the Bombay High Court in 2025. The petition seeks an injunction against the series, requesting that the producers cease production, remove promotional material, and prevent the show’s release.

Court Proceedings Update

On April 15, the Bombay High Court heard the case regarding Tanuja Bhagat’s petition. After reviewing the arguments from both sides, the bench decided not to impose a stay on the release of Matka King, according to reports from Legal Era Online. The case has since been adjourned, with a new hearing scheduled for April 20.

In a video statement released in May, Tanuja Bhagat expressed her grievances, stating, “Amazon Prime is misleading the public with its upcoming web series Matka King. They are commercializing by stealing the identity of my grandfather, who is still known as ‘Matka King’. They are erasing the truth.”

She claims that her grandfather was the originator of the Matka game and had received recognition as the ‘Matka King’ from government agencies. She criticized the portrayal in Matka King, asserting that it inaccurately represents history, emphasizing that the show is primarily based on Ratan Khatri, who was the manager of her grandfather rather than the Matka King himself.

Related Developments

Vijay Varma, who portrays the character of Brij Bhatti in Matka King, has also commented on the series. He noted that his own life experiences have parallels with the narrative of his character, suggesting a connection between their journeys.

As the situation develops, the responses from both the production team and the Bhagat family remain crucial in shaping the public discourse surrounding the series. With the premiere date approaching, the case continues to attract attention in the media and among audiences eager to see how the real-life history of Matka gambling might be depicted on screen.