Mirzapur Season 3 Review: Blood and Betrayal in the Hindi Heartland

Mirzapur Season 3: Ali Fazal steps into the spotlight, with Pankaj Tripathi providing strong support in this blood-soaked continuation of the popular web series.

A Return to Familiar Territory

After a four-year hiatus, the third season of Mirzapur returns, bringing back Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi in their iconic roles as Guddu bhaiya and Kaleen bhaiya. This season reshuffles the deck of power, with gore and violence taking center stage. Despite some redeeming moments, Mirzapur 3 offers more style than substance.

A Violent Tale of Revenge

Following the release of its second season in 2020, Mirzapur has become synonymous with visceral thrills and intense storytelling. The third season continues this trend, delivering violent scenes of revenge with occasional moments of beauty. But was it worth the wait?

Strengths and Weaknesses

The show stumbles with a weak storyline, an overload of main characters, and predictable high points. Yet, it captivates with exceptional performances and an engaging first half. Mirzapur pioneered the portrayal of violence and gore in Indian OTT, and this season certainly raises the stakes.

A Snapshot of Power and Betrayal

At its core, Mirzapur explores the violent underbelly of the Hindi heartland, intersecting with Indian politics and law enforcement. It’s a narrative filled with power struggles, sex, drugs, death, conflicted relationships, and betrayals.

Standout Performances

The show picks up from the cliffhanger of the second season, with Guddu bhaiya (Ali Fazal) and Golu (Shweta Tripathi Sharma) reveling in their newfound power. Kaleen bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi) grieves his son Munna's (Divyenndu) death while plotting his next move.

Directors Gurmmeet Singh and Anand Iyer use realistic locations and elaborate graphics to depict the expanding Mirzapur universe, stretching across Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Northern Bihar, and Nepal. Key visual symbols, like the breaking of Kaleen bhaiya’s statue and Madhuri (Isha Talwar) lighting her husband Munna's pyre, effectively convey the shifting power dynamics.

Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, and Anjumm Shharma deliver outstanding performances, portraying tension, conflict, and vengeance with intensity. Anjumm and Vijay Varma bring dark ambitions and emotional depth to their roles, while Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Rajesh Tailang, and Sheeba Chadha enhance the narrative with their emotive performances. The season excels in delivering gore and variety, with engaging twists and turns.

Areas for Improvement

However, the season introduces numerous new characters, making it challenging to keep track of all the connections. This slower plot pace may help viewers navigate the complex narrative.

Isha Talwar impresses as the Chief Minister Madhuri, though her portrayal occasionally lacks the strength required for such a powerful character. There are scenes reminiscent of Game of Thrones, maintaining the series' shock value.

Fans eagerly anticipated a faceoff between Kaleen bhaiya and Guddu bhaiya, which remains absent. For most of the season, Pankaj Tripathi seems to step back from the gangster world, allowing the younger generation and new rivalries to take the lead, except for the final 15 minutes.

Mirzapur 3 delivers on its promise of bloodshed and power struggles, but it could benefit from a tighter storyline and better character focus. Despite its missteps, the series continues to captivate with its gritty portrayal of the Hindi heartland.

Mirzapur Season 3 release date
Mirzapur Season 3 cast
Mirzapur Season 3 trailor
Mirzapur Season 3 leaked