Mirzapur 3 Review: Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi's Show Is A Must-Watch For Chaos, Carnage & Drama Lovers

Title: Mirzapur Season 3

Directors: Gurmmeet Singh, Anand Iyer 

Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal, Isha Talwar, Vijay Varma, Anjumm Shharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Rajesh Tailang

Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Prime

Rating: ***1/2

If you're already addicted to the seedy underbelly of its world, where bullets and betrayals are as common as roadside chai stalls, then Mirzapur Season 3 is the grizzled warhorse that’s seen it all and knows exactly what you crave. It still parades its bloody trophies and flaunts its illicit escapades.

This gritty crime saga offers a wild ride through a world where power is everything and morality is nothing but a distant memory. With the stakes higher and the violence more brutal, this season continues to captivate its audience with its unrelenting pace and complex characters.

This season picks up right where the last left off, plunging us back into the tale of brains and brawns. Focusing on the life of Govind Pandit, aka Guddu (Ali Fazal), and his love interest, Gajgamini Gupta, aka Golu (Shweta Tripathi), as the duo strive to reign over Mirzapur.

The power plays involve not just the Bahubalis (the strongmen) but also the intricate scheming of Golu, the ambitious CM Madhuri Yadav (Isha Talwar), and the cunning Beena Tripathi (Rasika Duggal), daughter-in-law of the formidable Akhandanand Tripathi, aka Kaleen (Pankaj Tripathi).

Vijay Verma shines in his ambiguous dual as Bharat and Shatrugan Tyagi, delivering moments of on-screen glory that are both intense and memorable. Priyanshu Painyuli, who plays Robin, the love interest of Guddu’s sister, brings a surprising depth to his character, making your heart bleed for him at times.

Ali Fazal steals the show with his portrayal of the eccentric Guddu. His character arc is so well-etched that you can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him despite his violent ways.

The series takes us across various locations in Uttar Pradesh, primarily shot in Mirzapur, but also includes Siwan, Baliya, Kathmandu, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. Each setting is brought to life with a gritty realism that adds to the immersive experience.

The scenes are astutely crafted with depth, honing the show’s craft and delivering your fix with masterful precision, a skill forged through years of chaos and carnage.

Sound design by Vivek Sachidanand elevates the thrilling moments, especially when the gang members, armed with guns and knives, stalk their targets. The background score complements the tension, making each encounter pulse with life.

Visually, the series demands a strong stomach for its gore and blood-curdling shots, scattered liberally throughout. Special mention goes to Shipra Singh Acharya for the exceptional prosthetics, particularly in Episodes 1 and 8.

The dialogues may seem mundane but the analogies used create vivid visual fantasies. Take, for instance, “Do nav pe chadna manje...,” a phrase that paints a visceral picture.

Manohar Verma’s action sequences are nothing short of spectacular, blending raw intensity with choreographed brilliance, making every fight scene a visceral thrill.

Sanjay Kapoor’s cinematography is commendable, capturing each moment with a raw, atmospheric quality that makes the scenes feel palpably real. Edited by Siddeshwar Ekambe, the transitions are seamless, enhancing the narrative flow and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Mirzapur Season 3 is a must-watch for chaos, carnage, and drama lovers.