Mirzapur Review

The web series starring Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu, Vikrant Massey and Ali Fazal, was launched on Amazon Prime Video.

Mirzapur is a typically dysfunctional fictional town in Eastern Uttara Pradesh, whose uncrowned king is the delightfully named gangster Akhandanand Tripathi (Pankaj Tripathi). He is a serious man, his existence pockmarked by murders, betrayals and skullduggery. He owns a carpet factory hence his nickname is 'Kaleen Bhai'. Akhandanand's biggest enemy is his own offspring. His hot-headed son Munna(Divyenndu) is aching to take over the empire. He punches and shoots before thinks, erupts without provocation and does not believe his father. Munna's psychotic behavior opens the doors of the Tripathi Citadel to two ambitious brothers. Guddu(Ali Fazal) and Bablu (Vikrant Massey). Guddu an aspiring body builder and Bablu a class topper. The creators of the show barely tinker with the gangland drama template. Nearly ever character that you would expect to see in a tale of crime, corruption, revenge and murder sign the attendance roster. The struggle between father and sons, the endemic corruption that enables crime, the sharp-tongued mend and compromised women, the cussing and rutting, the back-stabbing and the instant paybacks makes the Mirzapur a hit web series.

Divyenndu and Vikrant Massey are terrific in their roles, each managing to earn some sympathy even though their characters are never up to any good. Pankaj Tripathi's nuanced and hugely enjoyable performance is among the grace notes.