Vijay Varma in an exciting new look alongside Kritika Kamra as they shoot for ‘Matka King’: Exclusive pictures

Vijay Varma has stepped into the world of 1960s Mumbai with a brand-new avatar that’s already got fans talking! He stars opposite Kritika Kamra in the upcoming crime drama series ‘Matka King’, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Nagraj Manjule. Known for hits like ‘Sairat’, ‘Fandry’, and ‘Jhund’, Manjule is all set to dive into the dramatic and dangerous world of Matka gambling.Vijay Varma’s exciting new lookEtimes exclusively reveals the latest pictures from the set of ‘Matka King’, Vijay Varma was spotted on set in a totally transformed look. Dressed in a simple white ganji and lungi, and wearing classic chappals, the actor looked every bit the part of a man from the 60s. Meanwhile Kritika Kamra, was seen wearing a retro orange-and-white floral dress and sporting a vintage hairstyle, bringing the 60s vibes to life.Set in the bustling streets of 1960s Mumbai, ‘Matka King’ tells the fictional story of a cotton trader who dreams of gaining respect and social status. To achieve this, he comes up with a new kind of gambling game called ‘Matka’. The game quickly catches fire, spreading across the city and giving the common man access to what was once a rich man’s game.According to the official description, the game ends up ‘democratising a terrain previously reserved for the rich and elite’. The series will explore the highs and lows of this underground world, mixing crime, drama, and a bit of retro Mumbai flair. Last year, the OTT platform also teased the show earlier with a poster and the caption, "Ready to place our bet! MatkaKingOnPrime soon but filming now."Vijay Verma’s upcoming projectsApart from ‘Matka King’, Vijay has an exciting slate ahead, with projects like ‘Ul Jalool Ishq’. Sharing his thoughts, he told ANI, "I'm very excited about Ul Jalool Ishq—it’s a beautiful, rich love story. I’m also wrapping up Matka King, which is a larger-than-life story about a man who found a loophole in the system and made the most of it." Reflecting on his growth as an actor, he added, "I always aim to push my boundaries and take on roles that challenge me. I've been fortunate to work with directors who bring out more in me than I sometimes see in myself."