Rasika Dugal & Mohitt Maalik reveal how Saanson Ki Mala elevated Mirzapur The Movie’s fight scene; the cover became a fan favourite

Mirzapur The Movie, which is expected to cross ₹300 crore worldwide this week, is already being hailed as a sensational hit. Among the ensemble cast, Rasika Dugal and Mohitt Maalik have stood out, their track resonating strongly with audiences. The pair’s romance, highlighted by a cover of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Saanson Ki Mala,” has become a fan favourite and a talking point across social media.

In the film, Dugal reprises her role as Beena Tripathi while Maalik plays Birju Lohar, a strongman linked to Ravi Kishan’s character and to Beena’s past. The two conspire to kill Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), but their plan backfires, culminating in a dramatic moment where Beena shoots Birju to protect herself from suspicion. Her line, “Love hi to hai, lifetime thode hi rahage” (It’s just love, won’t last a lifetime), has gone viral, becoming a meme even on the set itself.

When the filmmakers were deciding on the soundtrack for a pivotal fight scene between Birju and Kaleen, they considered several options, including a track by Varoon. Ultimately, they chose a rendition of “Saanson Ki Mala” sung by Madhur Sharma. Dugal said she was unaware of the song until a few days before the screening, but once she heard it she felt it added a poetic layer to the violence, saying it “said what the characters can’t say.” She even wanted to redo her take after hearing Sharma’s version at the music launch.

Maalik, too, learned about the song only days before the film’s release, when director Gurmeet Singh revealed it to him. He described the moment as a “wow” experience, noting how the track’s presence made the fight sequence feel more personal and intense.

Both actors reflected on the unexpected popularity of the line and the song, acknowledging that while they did not anticipate the viral response, the combination of music and narrative has elevated the film’s emotional impact. As Mirzapur The Movie continues to draw crowds and generate buzz, the collaboration between Dugal, Maalik, and the soundtrack team stands out as a key factor in its success.