The Indian web series Mirzapur was released on Amazon Prime back in 2018. Set in Mirzapur, the show tells of the lawlessness that exists in the city’s streets. There are drugs, guns, weapons, rivalries and of course, murders. Upon its debut, critics dismissed the show for being choppy and needlessly violent. However, the reaction of audience was far more positive and the show went on to become one of the most popular web series from India. It has inspired countless memes, discussions and parodies on the internet. After a rather long period of two years, Amazon dropped the second season of this series. Like the first season, it also became hugely popular and garnered over 8 Million viewers just days after it released. So what makes this show popular? Audience have found its storyline and dialogues to be very entertaining. But perhaps the biggest asset of this show is its terrific cast. Take a look at them:
Pankaj Tripathi (Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiya)
We are starting off this list with the “King of Mirzapur” himself. Pankaj Tripathi who plays this role is one of India’s most acclaimed actors working today. After small roles in the 2000s, he garnered widespread attention for his role in Anurag Kashyap’s two part crime saga Gangs of Wasseypur. After that, he received appreciation for his performances in several small scale movies like Masaan (2015), Nil Battey Sannata (2016) and Newton (2017). Pankaj Tripathi has been married since 2004.
Ali Fazal (Guddu Pundit)
Ali Fazal plays the role of Guddu Pundit, the closest character this show has to a protagonist. Fazal is a popular actor in India and also abroad. He has not only appeared in Indian films and shows but has made it to Hollywood as well. His first appearance in a Bollywood movie was in the highly successful 3 Idiots. After that, he appeared in Fukrey, Bobby Jasoos and Sonali Cable among others. In Hollywood, Fazal has appeared in Furious 7 and in Victoria and Abdul opposite Judi Dench. He is also set to appear in the upcoming Death on the Nile, the highly anticipated sequel to Murder on the Orient Express.
Divyenndu (Munna Tripathi)
Divyenndu plays the role of Munna Tripathi, the foul mouthed and hot-headed son of Kaleen Bhaiya. His character is among the show’s most popular and is known as Munna Bhaiya by the fans of the show. An immensely talented actor, Divyenndu is best known for his role as Liquid in the cult favorite Pyaar Ka Punchnama. His other appearances in movies include Dilli Wali Zaalim Girlfriend and more recently, Batti Gul Meter Chalu. The actor’s last name is Sharma but he dropped it.
Vikrant Massey (Bablu Pandit)
Vikrant Massey played the character of Bablu Pandit. A versatile actor who has just begun to receive the attention he deserves, Massey has played a variety of roles over the years in movies and shows. He tends to do roles that are unconventional and challenging. His most memorable role to date is Shutu in A Death in the Gunj. He brought such a heart breaking vulnerability to his role that we couldn’t stop thinking of him after the credits rolled. It’s a shame not enough people saw that movie. His other movie appearances were in Lootera, Lipstick under My Burkha, Half Girlfriend and Chhapaak opposite Deepika Padukone.
Rasika Dugal (Beena Tripathi)
Essaying the role of Beena is the lovely and underrated actress Rasika Dugal. While we didn’t think much of her role in the first season, she went on to become one of the key players in the second season. As Beena, Rasika is absolutely terrific. But this role is merely a glimpse of what she is capable of. She can play any role with ease. Whether it’s the wife of Saadat Hassan Manto in Manto, a police officer in Delhi Crime or a grieving widow in Hamid. Rasika is married to actor Mukul Chadda since 2010.
Shweta Tripathi (Golu Gupta)
One of the finest actresses of her generation, Shweta Tripathi first received attention for her performance in the critically acclaimed Masaan. She further rose to prominence for her roles in Haraamkhor and Raat Akeli Hai. Like most of Mirzapur’s actors, she plays unconventional and challenging roles. In an interview with The Indian Express, she said “For me two things are most important, the script and the team. Presence or lack of big stars don’t matter to me. I can’t do a film where I appear in a song and then disappear. I can’t be an arm candy.”
Shriya Pilgaonkar (Sweety Gupta)
Pilgaonkar has been acting since her childhood, playing the role of a boy at the age of five in Tu Tu Main Main. Since then she has acted in many stage plays, movies and television shows. Her most recognizable role to date is Neha in Fan opposite Shahrukh Khan. Apart from acting, Pilgaonkar is also a director and producer, having made the short films Painted Signal and Dresswala.
Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Satyanand Tripathi)
Kulbhushan Kharbanda plays the role of Tripathi family’s wheelchair bound patriarch Satyanand. A veteran actor, Kharbanda’s career spans decades. He has appeared in several iconic movies in his career such as Arth, Shaan, Mandi, Silsila, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Fire and Midnight’s Children. An acclaimed actor, he is one of the most recognizable faces of India’s parallel cinema.
Vijay Varma (Bharat and Shatrughan Tyagi)
Playing the dual roles of Bharat and Shatrughan is the actor Vijay Varma. Formally trained in acting, he has received positive reviews for his performances in movies like Monsoon Shootout, MCA and Gully Boy. Most recently he appeared in Mira Nair’s popular miniseries A Suitable Boy alongside Tabu and Ishaan Khatter.
Isha Talwar (Madhuri Yadav)
Isha Talwar is a popular actress predominantly working in South Indian cinema. A gorgeous and talented actresses, she plays Madhuri Yadav. Initially a submissive and shy character, she undergoes a dramatic change over the course of a few episodes and becomes a powerful and strong woman. Talwar’s performance is terrific and she establishes her character as one to watch. Aside from Mirzapur, Talwar is also known for her roles in Two Countries, Article 15 and Ginny Weds Sunny. She is also a model and a trained dancer.
