Producer-distributor-exhibitor Ratan Khatri passed away on 9th May in Bombay. He had produced Rangila Ratan and used to be a distributor and exhibitor of C.P.C.I. Because of his penchant for betting and playing ‘matka’, he was referred to as matka king.
He was 88 years old. Spotless white kurta pyjama was his favourite attire which he used to complete by tying a scarf to cover his head. Folklore has it that several film stars in the good old days used to bet in ‘matka’ through Ratan Khatri. He ran the illegal gambling business for more than 30 years till he was arrested in 1995 during Emergency. He spent 19 months in jail. He suffered a paralytic attack in 2001.