The popular web series Mirzapur has made its way to the big screen. Mirzapur: The Movie released in cinemas on September 4, 2026, bringing back the beloved characters from the Prime Video series. The film features Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit, Divyenndu as Munna Bhaiya, and Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya, along with a strong supporting cast including Ravi Kishan, Jitendra Kumar, Rasika Dugal, and Shweta Tripathi. Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and created by Puneet Krishna, the movie is a theatrical companion to the series rather than a direct continuation. It is set during the timeline of the first season, between episodes 6 and 7, which allows characters who died later in the series to return. The film is available in Hindi and Telugu versions worldwide.
The Story Takes Place in the Middle of Season 1
Instead of moving the story forward, the film goes back in time. It is set in 2018, during the events of the first season. The plot revolves around Akhanda Tripathi (Pankaj Tripathi), the powerful ruler of Mirzapur, who worries about his legacy. His son Munna (Divyenndu) is carefree and hot-headed, making him an uncertain heir. Many contenders want the throne, including Babban Babua (Ravi Kishan) and Rati Shankar Shukla. Akhanda seeks help from Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Bablu Pandit (Jitendra Kumar) to protect his position. The power struggle is not just about guns and territory. It also involves family relationships, ego, jealousy, and the need for validation. This timeline choice allows the film to bring back fan-favorite characters like Munna, Bablu, and Sweety, who had died in later seasons.
Performances Drive the Film Despite a Slow Pace
The actors deliver strong performances that keep the audience engaged. Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya carries the same charm and authority he had in the series. Divyenndu as Munna Bhaiya is a live wire on screen. His swag, comic timing, and attitude have been singled out as major highlights. Many fans have called his return the biggest reason to watch the film.
Ali Fazal delivers a solid performance as Guddu Pandit. Jitendra Kumar steps into the role of Bablu Pandit, replacing Vikrant Massey from the series. Kumar does not copy Massey’s performance but brings his own energy to the character. Ravi Kishan makes a strong impression as Babban Babua. His entry adds a new layer of danger to the story. Mohit Malik also surprises with his performance as Birju Lohar.
However, the film’s pacing has been a point of criticism. The movie runs for 3 hours and 15 minutes, and several reviewers have noted that it tests the audience’s patience. The screenplay feels loose at times, and some scenes drag on longer than needed.
Fans Are Divided but Many Call It a Mass Entertainer
Early audience reactions on social media have been mixed. Some viewers have praised the film highly, while others have expressed disappointment.
“PEAK MASS ENTERTAINER… The iconic web series gets a big-screen upgrade – and the result is a roaring, ruthless, razor-sharp entertainer that works big time… SURE-SHOT HIT.” – Trade analyst Taran Adarsh gave the film four stars
One viewer rated the film 4.5 out of 5, calling it even more powerful than the original web series. They praised the story, screenplay, politics, revenge drama, action, dialogues, and background score. Another fan wrote that the film feels like a proper big-screen experience rather than a stretched episode.
“Divyenndu Sharma as #MunnaBhaiya is the biggest highlight!” – A viewer on X
Not everyone was impressed. Some viewers criticised the film for its slow pacing and lack of intensity. One user called it an “average affair” with a “dragged screenplay”. Another felt that the aggression and rawness that made the series iconic were missing in the film.
Box Office Starts Strong on Opening Day
The film has taken a strong start at the box office. By 3 PM on its opening day, Mirzapur: The Movie had collected Rs 9.35 crore net in India. Advance bookings had already crossed Rs 12 crore, indicating strong audience interest.
The Hindi version contributed Rs 9.28 crore, while the Telugu version added a smaller amount. The film played across more than 5,000 shows on its first day. Industry experts expect the opening day collection to reach between Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore, with a possibility of touching Rs 30 crore if evening shows perform well. The film has performed particularly well in UP, Bihar, and Delhi, which are traditional markets for mass action films.
Critical Reception Varies Across Reviews
Critics have offered a range of opinions. Some have praised the film as a worthy big-screen companion to the series, while others have found it lacking.
Filmfare gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it a “good companion piece to the series”. Pinkvilla rated it 3 out of 5, noting that the film gets a bigger canvas but not a tighter story. DNA India gave 2.5 stars, stating that the film “entertains you in parts” but tests patience due to a sluggish pace and lengthy runtime. India.com gave 3.5 out of 5, describing it as an “ambitious experiment”.
Common points of praise include the performances of the lead cast, the action sequences, and the background music. Common criticisms include the slow pacing, loose screenplay, and excessive runtime.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The film’s biggest strength is its familiarity. Fans of the series will feel at home with the characters, language, humor, and violence. The action becomes more effective as the film moves toward its climax. The music helps maintain momentum during slower passages.
On the other hand, the pacing is the film’s biggest problem. It takes too long to reach its dramatic high points. Some moments in the writing test the audience’s belief. An item song featuring Sonal Chauhan has been described as unnecessary. Some viewers also felt that the film over-explains certain plot points, making it feel like a stretched web series on a big screen.
Related:
A New Chapter for the Mirzapur Franchise
Mirzapur: The Movie is an experiment in taking a popular OTT series and turning it into a theatrical event. It does not move the story forward but instead explores an unseen chapter in the existing timeline. This allows the film to bring back characters that audiences loved, even if they had died in the series. The film also expands the universe by introducing new characters like Babban Babua and Birju Lohar.
The movie is currently playing in cinemas worldwide. An official OTT release date has not been announced yet, but Amazon Prime Video has secured the digital rights. For now, audiences can experience the world of Mirzapur on the big screen with guns, dialogues, and maximum bhaukaal.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for more reviews, box office updates, and the latest entertainment news from Bollywood and beyond.
Leave a Reply