The ‘Mirzapur’ series, which debuted in 2018, quickly gained massive popularity for its raw portrayal of crime, politics, and power struggles in Uttar Pradesh. It later grew into multiple seasons and became one of India’s most talked-about OTT franchises.Actor Ali Fazal has now described the upcoming ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ as a landmark attempt in Indian storytelling. He said the project marks a new creative direction for the industry and represents a major shift in format adaptation. He remarked, “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,” Ali told PTI in an interview.
Expanding the ‘Mirzapur’ universe
Ali Fazal, who returns as Guddu Pandit, said the film version will extend the narrative of the popular crime drama and revisit key characters from the franchise. He noted that the cinematic adaptation is expected to add new layers to the existing storyline while retaining its core identity.
Ali Fazal on early doubts
Ali Fazal also reflected on the uncertainty he faced when he first joined the project. He revealed that the OTT format was still new in India at the time, and several voices within the industry discouraged him from participating.He said, “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. Despite initial hesitation, Ali Fazal said his exposure to global projects and the changing entertainment landscape helped him understand the potential of streaming platforms. The actor credited the rise of OTT platforms for reshaping his perspective on storytelling and career choices. He said the digital revolution created new opportunities for actors to explore layered characters and long-format narratives. He added that the writing and world-building of Mirzapur stood out strongly, making it a project he could not ignore even during a time of uncertainty in the streaming space.
Guddu Pandit and career transformation
Ali Fazal said his role as Guddu Pandit significantly changed how audiences perceived him as an actor. The character allowed him to explore a more intense performance space and expanded his reach within the industry. He also noted that the success of Mirzapur highlighted how audiences deeply connect with well-written fictional worlds. The series features a large ensemble cast including Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Harshita Gaur, and Shriya Pilgaonkar and expectations are high as it comes in movie format.
