Ever since ‘Mirzapur The Movie’ was announced, fans have been curious to know how the popular crime franchise would make the leap from streaming to theaters without losing its trademark intensity. Known for its gritty storytelling, graphic violence and strong language, the series has built up a loyal following over the years. director Gurmeet Singh has now revealed that the makers never intended to dilute the film’s identity and are instead aiming for an adult-only certification abiding by CBFC guidelines.Speaking to Variety India, the filmmaker revealed that the team has always intended to seek an adult-only certificate, while ensuring that the film complies with the board’s regulations. “We are targeting an adult-only certification right away,” Singh tells Variety India exclusively. “Then, of course, the CBFC has its own guidelines in terms of language, what we can say and what we can’t say. We’ve tried to manage that and strike the right balance.“
‘Animal’ and ‘Dhurandhar’ changed the theatrical landscape
According to Singh, audiences have become much more receptive to mature storytelling in theaters than they were a few years ago. He believes that the success of recent adult films has created space for projects like ‘Mirzapur The Movie’ to stay true to their original tone.“I also think the audience has matured,” he says. “If you look at films like ‘Animal’, ‘Dhurandhar’ and other recent releases, you can see that adult storytelling is now finding space in cinemas. I think that has also set a precedent, which has allowed us to bring something like ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ to the big screen without watering it down.”
Turning a sprawling series into a feature film
Since its debut on Prime Video in 2018, “Mirzapur” has built a loyal fan base through its mix of crime, power struggles and family feuds. Condensing this expansive universe into a theatrical performance required careful creative decisions. Singh explained that the entire team worked collaboratively to ensure that the essence of the franchise remained intact while adapting it to a new format.“Everybody had the film in mind. Everybody was looking out for the film and each other. Whether it was Farhan (Akhtar) and Ritesh (Sidhwani) as producers, we had their experience and vision behind us, making sure we didn’t stray and helping us strike the right balance.”
The script kept evolving
The script, written by franchise creator Puneet Krishna, underwent constant revisions as the team determined what deserved a place in the film and what needed to be left behind to keep the narrative focused.Reflecting on this process, Singh said, “Puneet, of course, comes with such excellent starting points within the film. From there, it becomes a process of evolving the material and debates about how much to keep, how much to leave out, where we should indulge a little and where we should be completely cut with the narrative.”
Fans can expect surprises alongside familiar faces
While fans of the franchise will recognize many beloved characters, Singh hinted that audiences should also be prepared for unexpected twists and evolving relationships. “In some places we’re subverting what audiences already know. In other places we’re bringing back things they like, but presenting them in a new way. It’s a balance of both,” he says.He further added: “They will find moments they won’t expect and things they really enjoy experiencing in a new way. We have the fan-favorite elements that people have come to expect, but these characters are also doing new things in a whole new story. Even the dynamics between them evolve differently.”
Returning cast and release date
Produced by Excel Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios, “Mirzapur The Movie” is directed by Gurmmeet Singh from a script by Puneet Krishna. The film is reunited Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, DivyennuRasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, continuing the story of the acclaimed web series.“Mirzapur The Movie” is slated to hit theaters on September 4, 2026.