Sai Tamhankar on Matka King: 'Craft over stardom is finally winning'
Synopsis
Sai Tamhankar's take on the new era of Indian entertainment is bracing: generic casting formulas are dead, and actors who know their craft are finally getting their due. With peers like Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat anchoring major projects, and her own Matka King landing on screens, Tamhankar sees a durable shift away from stardom-chasing toward storytelling integrity.
Key Takeaways
Sai Tamhankar says the entertainment industry is shifting from formula-driven casting to talent-based selection.
The Matka King star credits evolving norms for opening doors for craft-focused actors like Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat .
Matka King , set in 1960s Mumbai , traces a cotton trader's rise to becoming a gambling don after launching the underground Matka numbers game.
Tamhankar, 39, began her career in Marathi television (2003) before moving to Hindi soaps and Bollywood films.
She is a former state-level Kabaddi player and holds an orange belt in karate .
Sai Tamhankar, star of the new series Matka King, believes the entertainment industry is entering a transformative phase where acting talent and creative honesty are displacing formulaic casting. "I think it's a very good era for actors like me," the 39-year-old told IANS in May 2024, citing "amazing opportunities" for performers who prioritize craft over conventional appeal.
How the industry is shifting
Tamhankar highlighted that rigid casting templates no longer guarantee success. "The generic norms, criteria, and set formulas are changing. You cannot place a set formula and say that, okay, this is going to be a sure-shot hit. Things have changed, and it is really nice," she explained. This structural shift has opened doors for actors whose work speaks for itself, she noted.
Craft as currency
The actress underscored that demonstrated skill now carries measurable weight in casting decisions. "When you know your job, people also understand that you know your job. And I think that is very interesting to watch and observe," Tamhankar said. She added: "If you know your job well and you are honest about it, the honesty reaches."
A rising tide for ensemble talent
Tamhankar cited peers Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat as examples of performers gaining prominence through consistent, nuanced work. "They all are getting their dues. They're such wonderful actors, and I feel extremely happy and proud to be a part of this era," she said. Both actors have recently anchored successful streaming projects, validating her observation.
About Matka King
Matka King, which also features Kritika Kamra, Siddharth Jadhav, and Gulshan Grover, is set in 1960s Mumbai. The series chronicles how a humble cotton trader evolves into a gambling kingpin after launching the underground numbers game "Matka," which democratizes wagering across class lines in the city.
Tamhankar's trajectory
A native of Sangli, Maharashtra, Tamhankar began in television with supporting roles in Marathi serials Tuzyavina (2003) and later Ya Gojirvanya Gharat, which earned her wider recognition. She appeared in Hindi daily soaps Kasturi and Anubandh before crossing into Hindi cinema in 2008 with small roles in Subhash Ghai's Black & White and Aamir Khan's Ghajini. A former state-level Kabaddi player and orange-belt karate practitioner, Tamhankar has steadily built credibility as a character-driven performer.
Point of View
This 'golden age' remains confined to a tier of performers with existing visibility and institutional backing. For newer entrants without networks, the gatekeeping remains fierce. What's genuinely new is that the gatekeepers are now watching for honesty, not just face value — a meaningful, if incomplete, evolution.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sai Tamhankar say about the current state of the entertainment industry?
Sai Tamhankar believes the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift away from rigid casting formulas toward talent-driven selection. She stated: "The generic norms, criteria, and set formulas are changing," and emphasized that craft and honesty now carry decisive weight in casting decisions.
Who are the other actors Sai Tamhankar cited as examples of this trend?
Tamhankar highlighted Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat as peers who are gaining prominence through consistent, nuanced performances. She expressed pride in being part of an era where such performers are receiving recognition and major roles.
What is Matka King about?
Matka King is a series set in 1960s Mumbai that follows the transformation of a humble cotton trader into a gambling kingpin. The protagonist launches an underground numbers game called "Matka," which democratizes wagering across class lines in the city. The series also stars Vijay Varma , Kritika Kamra , Siddharth Jadhav , and Gulshan Grover .
What is Sai Tamhankar's background before Matka King?
Tamhankar began her career in Marathi television in 2003 with supporting roles in Tuzyavina and gained recognition with Ya Gojirvanya Gharat . She later appeared in Hindi daily soaps Kasturi and Anubandh , and entered Bollywood in 2008 with minor roles in Black & White and Ghajini .
What other skills does Sai Tamhankar have beyond acting?
Tamhankar is a former state-level Kabaddi player from Sangli, Maharashtra , and holds an orange belt in karate . These accomplishments reflect her disciplined, athletic background.
