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Matka King's Secret Life Revealed
25 Apr
Summary
- Ratan Khatri built a gambling empire in India.
- He passed away at 88 after a cardiac arrest.
- Khatri co-produced a Bollywood film and acted.
The recent crime drama 'Matka King,' released on April 17, 2026, has brought renewed attention to the life of Ratan Khatri, the alleged inspiration for the show's lead character. Khatri, born in Karachi, Pakistan, migrated to India during the 1947 partition and later established himself as the 'Matka King' between the 1960s and 1980s.
During his peak, Khatri commanded a gambling empire with a daily turnover of Rs. 1 crore. His success was attributed to a strategy focused on belief, fast communication, and trust. He died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 88 in Mumbai following a cardiac arrest after a brief illness.
Lesser-known facts about Khatri include his participation in deciding betting numbers in the patron's presence. He was also arrested and imprisoned for 19 months during the 1975 Emergency. Furthermore, he co-produced the Bollywood film 'Rangeela Ratan' and even made a guest appearance in it.
