With the second season of Matka King announced, Jamie Lever isn’t certain what will happen to her character Sulabha Rao, who was put behind bars by the end of the Vijay Varma-led opening season. But she knows one thing for sure, courtesy creator and director Nagraj Manjule. “While filming the first season, Nagraj sir told me, ‘Sulabha ko toh jail se bahar nikaalna padega,’” she recalled.

Jamie Lever in the series

Starring in the Prime Video crime drama was a chance for Lever — daughter of popular comedian Johnny Lever — to establish herself in acting beyond comedy. According to her, the shadow of being a successful comedienne looms large over her. “On the first day of the shoot, all I was thinking was that I shouldn’t make a fool of myself. It was an emotional scene. So, I was conscious that it should not look funny or silly,” she recalled. 

To her, the show was a “make-or-break” opportunity. “When I was on the set of Matka King, I had to calm down all the comedy that resides within me. This was a make-or-break moment. I thought that if I didn’t perform here, I would never be accepted as an actor who can pull off a serious performance,” said Lever, who is now thrilled at the praise coming her way. “My dad has been getting calls from people, who are appreciating my work,” she beamed.

May 22
When Jamie Lever has her next stand-up comedy show in Mumbai