Film: Mirzapur: The Movie
Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Jitendra Kumar, Divyenndu, Ravi Kishan, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Sonal Chauhan, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Gaur, Sheeba Chaddha, Mohit Malik, Rasika Dugal and others
Director: Gurmmeet Singh
Rating: 2 Moons

Storyline 

If you enjoyed ‘Mirzapur’, the three seasons crime thriller streaming on Amazon Prime Video in 2018, 2020 and 2024, you will feel disappointed and perhaps even cheated by ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ that was released today. Set in 2018, it takes us back into the world of Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Munna Bhaiya (Divyenndu), but with a story that is separate from what we saw on OTT. Familiar characters find themselves caught in another battle for power and the Mirzapur gaddi, this time with Babban (Ravi Kishan) emerging as a major threat. Babban is an ambitious player from the Jaisalmer’s criminal world who wants to establish his control over Mirzapur, putting him directly against the popular faces of the franchise. Beena Tripathi (Rasika Dugal) is also an important part of the story as the power dynamics around the Tripathi family continue to unfold. The film explores their rivalries, relationships, revenge and the fight for power. While the premise makes for an interesting big-screen outing, the story is more driven by emotions and personal equations than political games and the power play that made the original series so gripping and a binge-worthy watch. Yet, it was made as a standalone story and should work for those who missed the OTT series.

Acting

The cast is undoubtedly strong, but the problem is that not everyone gets enough screen time or depth to make an impact. Pankaj Tripathi is a terrific actor, but Kaleen Bhaiya gets very limited screen time. The story is largely driven by Guddu Pandit, Munna Bhaiya and Babban, while the rest of the characters are pushed to the sidelines. They are otherwise excellent actors but don't get enough screen presence for you to understand what their characters are doing or where their tracks are headed. Ali Fazal and Divyenndu bring back the familiarity and intensity of their enmity, while Ravi Kishan makes his presence felt. But overall, the ensemble cast feels underutilised. Then again, Jitendra Kumar doesn’t quite step into the shoes of Vikrant Massey who was brilliant as Bablu Pandit on OTT. And Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Harshita Gaur, who brought an earthy sex appeal and vivacity to the original, feature a for few minutes each only in the film. Like Kulbhushan Kharbanda as the Tripathi patriarch. Hopefully, Isha Talwar, Shernavaz Jijina, Vijay Raj and Anjum Sharma who played such interesting and critical roles on OTT, will find mention in a sequel to the film if there is one. 

Direction

Gurmmeet Singh manages to retain the familiar world and tone of ‘Mirzapur’, but the storytelling isn't as sharp as the series. The film takes an emotional route instead of building its narrative around politics, power and constant betrayals. While that change isn't necessarily a bad thing, it makes the film feel very different from what fans have come to expect. The second half feels stretched at quite a few places. The film has enough moments to entertain, but the director doesn't quite recreate the unpredictability and tension that made the series such a thriller.

Dialogues

The dialogues have some of the familiar ‘Mirzapur’ flavour and there are a few lines that will definitely get a reaction from fans. However, they don't have the same menacing punch or freshness that the series delivered. Nor is there any of the colourful language that came so easily to the characters on OTT, even the women. The iconic players still carry a certain charm, but the writing doesn't give them the kind of sharp, memorable lines that became a major part of the show's identity.

Music

The music works well in several portions and adds to the larger-than-life treatment of the film. The background score particularly helps elevate the drama and emotional moments. However, there are times when the music feels unnecessary and takes away from the flow instead of adding to it. Some of the Punjabi tracks, especially, feel like they have been added simply for the sake of a song sequence and could have easily been avoided.

Overall

‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ is a good attempt, but doesn't live up to the intrigue, bloody action, and political cut and thrust of the series. Fans of the show are bound to be let down, but as a standalone film, it is a decent one-time watch.