Granddaughter of India’s Matka King Takes On Amazon to Defend His Legacy

In a powerful stand to protect her family’s history, Tanuja Bhagat, the granddaughter of legendary Kalyanji Gangajar Bhagat has taken Amazon Prime, Roy Kapur Productions, and the creators of the upcoming web series Matka King to court. The case, now in the Bombay High Court, centers on what she calls an unauthorized and distorted portrayal of her grandfather’s life.

Kalyanji Bhagat is remembered as the man who transformed the betting world in India during the 1960s, creating the iconic Worli Matka. From his early days as a masala trader in the 1940s to becoming a household name in the gambling scene, Kalyanji’s story is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and cultural impact.

Tanuja claims the series draws directly from her grandfather’s life without consent, misleading audiences with a fictionalized account. She had publicly warned the makers in 2023 and issued a cease and desist letter in April 2024. Now, she’s asking the court to stop production, pull down promotions, and block the release entirely.

“This isn’t just a copyright issue it’s about respect,” Tanuja said. “My grandfather wasn’t just a character, he was a visionary. I owe it to him to ensure his legacy isn’t twisted for the sake of entertainment.”

Legal analysts suggest the outcome of this case could become a landmark decision, defining how families of real life figures can protect their stories in the age of streaming and biopics. It also raises important questions about the balance between creative freedom and historical responsibility in Indian cinema.

As the legal drama plays out, the nation watches closely waiting to see how far one woman’s fight for her grandfather’s truth will go.