Cinema VinesWhen the announcement that Jitendra Kumar would step into the role of Bablu in Mirzapur: The Movie came, many fans and critics voiced their doubts, comparing him to the original actor Vikrant Massey. The film’s release, however, proved the critics wrong, as it performed strongly at the box office and won over audiences with Kumar’s portrayal. Shweta Tripathi, who co‑stars in the film, praised the seamless transition and highlighted how the cast embraced him.
Speaking to NDTV, Tripathi said, “What Jeetu has done is not easy. On Mirzapur, we are a family. We could be intimidating, we all have been together for nine years. But he made a full Bablu‑type entry. We didn’t know how he managed to pull it off, but now he’s a part of our core group. Be it work or party, he has to be there. And he makes fantastic mutton! He has done full justice to a different version of Bablu and not taking away anything from Vikrant Massey. He is a fantastic actor which all of us know.”
Tripathi, who previously worked with Kumar in the 2019 film Gone Kesh, noted that their existing rapport contributed to the chemistry on set. She recalled, “Our chemistry was very loved in Gone Kesh and I wanted to work with him again after that film. It was my birthday when we were finishing the shoot of Gone Kesh and he sent me a plant as a gift in a very cute pot. We still have that plant. He is one of those people with whom you just connect. Jeetu is one of those people. It’s not just me, the entire cast welcomed him with open arms.”
Director Gurmmeet Singh explained the decision to recast Bablu in a recent Zoom interview. He said, “The best thing about the creative process is that it never binds us. There is often an expectation that everything will remain the same, but that isn’t possible—and that shouldn’t bother anyone. When we decided to recast Bablu, we were approaching the film in a new way, and this opened up new doors for us.”
Mirzapur: The Movie is an adaptation of the Amazon Prime Video series that debuted in 2018. The film features Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, and Ravi Kishan in leading roles, delivering a fresh take on the gritty crime drama that has captivated audiences worldwide.
