'A bold gamble': Pankaj Tripathi shares excitement for 'Mirzapur' film
What's the story
Pankaj Tripathi, who is reprising his role as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur: The Film, recently opened up about the show's transition to a theatrical release. He called it "a bold gamble." "It's the first time in India that a series is being transformed into a theatrical feature," he told Mid-Day. "It shows the faith the producers have in the story and these characters."
Character insight
Tripathi's perspective on Kaleen Bhaiya
Tripathi, who has been part of the franchise since its inception, shared his unique perspective on Kaleen Bhaiya. He said, "People call him a criminal, but I've always seen Kaleen as a businessman." "He is soft-spoken, calm and calculative. If you didn't know what his business was you might even find him poetic."
Actor's reflection
From Bihar to Bollywood
Tripathi also spoke about his journey from Bihar to Bollywood, sharing personal memories that highlight how far he has come in life. "While chatting recently with Rasika, I remembered that for the first 18-19 years of my life, I didn't even use a toothbrush," he said. "We didn't have that concept in the village because there wasn't a market nearby." He added that these memories remind him of how far he has come in life.
New venture
Journey from series to film
The film adaptation of Mirzapur, directed by Gurmmeet Singh, is a new chapter for the franchise. It features Tripathi alongside Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, and Rasika Dugal. Meanwhile, the show, which has spawned three seasons so far, is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.