Actor Ali Fazal has described the upcoming cinematic adaptation of the hit OTT crime saga 'Mirzapur' as a "national-level experiment", marking the first time in India that a streaming series has been transformed into a feature film.
Mirzapur: The Movie - A First for Indian Entertainment
Fazal, who reprises his role as Guddu Pandit in 'Mirzapur: The Movie', said the film will explore an untold chapter from the first season and bring back many key characters. "It's the first time in India that a show is being transformed into a film. It's a national level experiment that we are doing. The story and the characters are all good. We are excited to share every (promotional) asset," Fazal said.
Launched in 2018, Mirzapur emerged as one of India's most popular streaming shows, known for its gritty portrayal of crime, politics and power struggles in Uttar Pradesh. The series ran for three seasons, all critically acclaimed.
Fazal's Journey from Fear to Fame
The 39-year-old actor recalled being initially scared to step into the world of Mirzapur. He revealed that Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, director of 'Fukrey', recommended his name to the makers at Excel Entertainment. Despite advice from many in the industry to stay away from the project, Fazal said yes. "I was scared at that time. I did not know what the format would be. It was the first time that the first few shows were being made (in India). The filmmakers were telling me what was I doing (by saying yes). They said, 'do films'," he said.
Having worked in Hollywood, Fazal recognized the industry's evolution. "I saw this changing era of OTT and shows. I felt a revolution was about to come. The way the script was written by Puneet Krishna, the world he has made of Mirzapur, it was really commendable," he added.
Teaser and Returning Cast
The official teaser of 'Mirzapur: The Movie' was unveiled earlier this week, promising a larger cinematic scale. Alongside Fazal, actors Divyenndu and Pankaj Tripathi return as Munna Tripathi and Kaleen Bhaiya. Jitendra Kumar takes over the role of Bablu Pandit from Vikrant Massey, while Ravi Kishan is introduced as a new key character.
Impact on Hinterland Dramas
Asked whether Mirzapur has spoiled hinterland dramas for others, Fazal compared it to Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. "Gangs of Wasseypur was cult cinema. Many people took it from there. They made great characters. I met my wife (Richa Chadha) but that's a different story. That's what happened in Mirzapur. The canvas was like that. People got attached to the characters," he said.
The movie is set for release on September 4.
Fazal's Other Projects: Raakh and More
Currently, Fazal is receiving praise for his performance in 'Raakh', an eight-episode crime drama set in the 1970s, inspired by the real-life Ranga-Billa murder case. He plays a conscientious police sub-inspector Jayprakash Jatav, bogged down by the system. "I really wanted to understand the human condition behind this uniform. How, despite having so much power in that little frame, a society shape you? Even structurally in the show, I am large. But he is almost shy of his presence in society," Fazal explained.
He praised co-actors Ramandeep Yadav and Akash Ahuja for their performances as the murderers, calling it "mind-blowing" and a study in actor choices.
Fazal also has a special appearance in 'Batwara; 1947', directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, starring Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi and Preity Zinta. He is also part of Netflix's 'Lust Stories' anthology in a segment directed by Shakun Batra.
