15 April,2026 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma
Simran Ashwini. Picture Courtesy/PR
If Matka King marks filmmaker Nagraj Manjule's first web series, it has also laid the foundation for another debut. Simran Ashwini, who previously worked as an assistant director on Manjule's Marathi production Ghar Banduk Biryani (2023), is making her acting debut with the Vijay Varma, Sai Tamhankar, and Kritika Kamra-led series.
Being a part of Manjule's on-screen world is something the newcomer had never imagined. "Ghar Banduk Biryani was my first exposure to the intensity and discipline that filmmaking demands. After that, when Nagrajji encouraged me to audition for Matka King, it felt like a moment of trust to me. On set, there were moments when I doubted myself, but his quiet reassurance, patience, and guidance helped me find my footing."
Ashwini plays one of the four daughters to Gulshan Grover, whose character is pitted against Varma's protagonist in the drama set in Mumbai of the 1960s. Manjule recalled that his casting team was in search of a fresh face for the part. The director told mid-day, "The production team auditioned many candidates in search of a fresh face. Ultimately, Simran's audition stood out due to the freshness and vulnerability she brought to the role."
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