By Pawan Sharma
Finally, after a long wait, Mirzapur: The Movie has arrived on the big screen. And for those who always believed that Munna Bhaiya was immortal, the film seems to prove them right.
They say Mirzapur decides the fate of Purvanchal, but this time the game is different. Now, it is the audience that will decide the fate of Mirzapur.
Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal), Bablu Pandit, played this time by Jitendra Kumar, and Munna Bhaiya (Divyenndu Sharma) are the key characters who bring the familiar world of Mirzapur to the big screen.
The new threat comes from Jaisalmer in the form of dangerous drug mafia player Babban Yadav, played by Ravi Kishan. He enters Mirzapur with his eyes firmly set on the throne, and surprisingly, some of Kaleen Bhaiya’s own so-called loyal people are supporting him.
This time, the battle is about protecting the throne, ruling it, showing its power and proving that Mirzapur can have only one true Baahubali.
The First Half Takes Its Time
The first half spends a lot of time building the story and placing the characters properly within the plot. Because of this, it feels slightly stretched at places and makes you wonder whether all that build-up was really necessary.
But once the characters and the story are properly established, the film enters its second half and quickly reaches another level. The entertainment becomes almost double, and the film finally starts delivering the kind of energy one expects from Mirzapur.
Viewers who have watched the Mirzapur series, especially its first season, may feel the absence of some of the elements that became strongly associated with the show.
The language is comparatively controlled, and there are fewer intimate scenes. That difference is understandable because the series was made for OTT, while the movie is releasing in theatres and has to go through CBFC certification.
Still, the dark comedy and dialogues continue to make an impact.
Whenever Munna Bhaiya and Guddu Pandit come face-to-face, the film instantly brings back a strong sense of nostalgia. Their scenes remind viewers of the original flavour that made Mirzapur so popular.
A Fun Car-Chase Sequence
The second half also features a car-chase sequence that has been presented in a highly entertaining way.
Once again, the sequence proves that whenever Guddu Pandit and Munna Bhaiya are opposite each other on screen, audiences get to experience the real fun of Mirzapur.
Music
There was not much space for music in a film like this, yet two tracks have been included.
Another very famous song appears right at the end, and its placement helps justify the way the film concludes.
Performances
When it comes to acting, almost every actor performs his role well.
Jitendra Kumar looks good in the role of Bablu, but somewhere you still feel the absence of Vikrant Massey.
Ali Fazal returns as Guddu Bhaiya with the same attitude and style that he brought to the character in the web series.
Munna Bhaiya is the life of the film. The movie once again shows why the character is considered “immortal” by his fans.
As Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj Tripathi delivers his dialogues in his usual measured style. His simplicity and silence bring a calmness to the film that becomes necessary at several points.
The surprise package, however, is Ravi Kishan.
As Babban Yadav, he adds a lot to the film and makes strong use of the generous screen time given to his character.
Dialogues and Climax
Several dialogues in the film deserve whistles and loud applause inside theatres.
The climax is one of the strongest parts of the movie. It is presented in an impressive manner and also makes it clear that the story is likely to continue with another part.
Overall, Mirzapur: The Movie is designed as a complete mass entertainer.
It is likely to appeal most to viewers who loved the Mirzapur series, as well as audiences who enjoy crime stories and the raw, desi flavour of Uttar Pradesh.
Rating: 3.5/5
