Mirzapur The Movie manages to revive some of the excitement that made the original series a hit, even though its nearly four-hour runtime occasionally tests the audience’s patience. The film understands what fans expect from the Mirzapur universe and largely sticks to that formula. It keeps the story moving with bursts of action, familiar characters and a climax that adds intrigue. Viewers who believed the franchise had run out of steam after the comparatively weaker third season may find themselves pleasantly surprised. The first season arrived with a bang in 2018, the second maintained much of that momentum in 2020, while the third season in 2024 showed clear signs of fatigue. The movie, however, brings back one crucial ingredient that the third season seriously lacked — Pankaj Tripathi’s Kaleen Bhaiyya.
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Kaleen Bhaiyya’s Return Revives the Mirzapur Magic
Kaleen Bhaiyya remains the biggest reason to return to this violent world of power struggles and ambition. Pankaj Tripathi once again gives the character the calm menace and authority that made him one of the franchise’s most memorable figures. The film also brings back several familiar faces. Divyenndu returns as Munna, who continues to chase his father’s approval while eyeing his place in the Mirzapur throne. Ali Fazal plays Guddu, while Jitendra Kumar steps into the role previously played by Vikrant Massey. Guddu and Bablu remain caught between family expectations and the dangerous world surrounding Kaleen Bhaiyya. The battle for the Mirzapur gaddi also introduces Ravi Kishan as Babban Yadav, an ambitious politician’s nephew who sees an opportunity to rise through the ranks and claim power for himself.
Director Gurmmeet Singh and writer Puneet Krishna face a difficult task as they try to balance nostalgia with something new. The film runs for 197 minutes, and while its frequent action beats keep things moving, some portions feel unnecessarily stretched or hurried. The length becomes particularly noticeable in sections that add little to the central narrative. The makers also include item songs, although the film hardly needs them. Unlike a television series, which can spend several episodes developing characters and conflicts, a long feature film needs tighter storytelling. Mirzapur The Movie occasionally struggles with that balance. The film also reduces the prominence of its female characters. Golu, Sweety and Dimpy receive less space, while Sonal Chauhan gets a more substantial role as Mumtaz Bibi. Sheeba Chadha, however, makes a strong impression as Guddu and Bablu’s outspoken mother.
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Familiar Faces, New Power Struggles
Some casting changes take time to settle. Jitendra Kumar initially feels unusual in a role associated with Vikrant Massey, but he gradually finds his rhythm. His transition from his familiar comic persona to a character who must handle guns and confront violence creates an interesting contrast. Ravi Kishan also brings his usual screen presence to Babban Yadav. Although his increasing popularity sometimes makes it difficult to completely disappear into the character, he remains engaging to watch. The film also appears to tone down some of the extreme vulgarity and coarse content that became closely associated with the series. Long-time viewers may notice the change more clearly, while newcomers could still find some sequences provocative. The shift suggests that the filmmakers have responded to growing audience fatigue with excessive profanity and graphic scenes.
Ultimately, the film works best when it relies on the original characters who built the franchise. Pankaj Tripathi remains the standout performer as Kaleen Bhaiyya, bringing back the authority and controlled intensity that fans missed in the third season. Divyenndu continues to make Munna entertaining, while Ali Fazal gives Guddu the physical presence and emotional vulnerability the character demands. Rasika Dugal also remains a major strength as the formidable Beena Tripathi, whose complicated journey deserves more attention. A standalone spin-off centred on her character could be an interesting prospect. Despite its excessive runtime and a few uneven stretches, Mirzapur The Movie succeeds as an enjoyable continuation of the franchise. It moves quickly enough to overcome much of its excess and builds toward an intriguing climax, leaving viewers with one obvious question: will there be a Mirzapur The Movie 2?
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