Mirzapur Season 3 Review: New Faces, Familiar Rivalries, & Unexpected Twists -- Is It Worth The Hype?

Among the most anticipated series fans have awaited for nearly four years, 'Mirzapur' premiered on Amazon Prime on July 5.

Following the downfall of the Tripathis after Munna's death (Divyenndu Sharma), Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Golu Gupta (Shweta Tripathi) find a fleeting moment of peace. However, their respite is short-lived as they cannot locate Kaleen Bhaiya's body (Pankaj Tripathi). Subsequently, Guddu and Golu find themselves embroiled in a fierce struggle to claim the throne amidst unyielding challenges. The central question persists: what will it take to end the ceaseless cycle of violence and death gripping the region?

But let's start from the beginning:

Now in its third season, this much-anticipated and critically acclaimed political thriller picks up right where the previous season left off. The intense rivalries and betrayals among the power-hungry denizens of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh's most notorious town, continue unabated.

Sharad Shukla (Anjum Sharma) and Guddu attempt to consolidate their control over Mirzapur and ascend to its throne. However, their ambitions face interference from Munnawar Niwazi from the West, aiming to halt the reckless bloodshed of both sides.

In season 3, while mainstays like Guddu, Golu, and Kaleen Bhaiya maintain their strong character portrayals, Raheem's comedic portrayal by Pallav Singh adds a new dimension. Raheem's character also serves to highlight the public's helplessness in exchange for financial gain.

Amidst the circus of violence and power struggles, Ramakant Pandit's (Rajesh Tailang) courtroom scenes provide a breath of fresh air. Following SSP Maurya's murder, Ramakant finds himself in custody, navigating the challenges of prison life while aiding fellow inmates with their bail papers, awaiting his own final verdict.

Meanwhile, in Siwan, Bihar, following Bade Tyagi's murder by Chotte Tyagi (both roles played by Vijay Verma), the doppelgänger sons of Dadda hide the truth to maintain family stability. This role underscores immense responsibility and internal conflict.

The political landscape expands beyond Mirzapur to Lucknow, involving Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Madhuri Tripathi (Isha Talwar) and her ambitions for a 'Fear-Free Uttar Pradesh', impacting the show's TRP with its displays of power and violence. The dynamics between police, gangsters, and politicians are explored, including the controversial transfers of police officials driven by the CM's aspirations.

JP Yadav's exile and his plotting for revenge against his niece, symbolizing the current political climate, reflect an 80s-era Indian political backdrop with CM Madhuri likened to Gudiya. Such scenes resonate with both historical and contemporary contexts, promising surprises with character deaths.

While the storyline remains compelling, the screenplay occasionally falters, testing viewer patience. Guddu's dependency on Golu for decision-making highlights his character's limitations, though this evolves over time. Despite Golu Gupta's solid acting, the portrayal lacks the gritty gangster vibe. Guddu Pandit's seething rage sometimes rebounds, causing self-inflicted damage.

Rajesh Tailang, a stalwart actor, navigates his character's moral dilemmas and survival instincts in prison with nuanced depth. Beena Bhabi's character could have shone brighter; initially portrayed as a fierce activist in Season 2, her aggression diminishes in Season 3, attributed to motherhood but lacking moral and strategic support for Guddu.

Lala and Sabnam's characters could have been better fleshed out within their limited screen time. The repetitive 'baithaks' echo Panchayat Season 3's Bhusan's dialogue, "Kijiye meeting meeting, kheliye meeting meeting," at times.

While 'Mirzapur' Season 3 is a hit, it falls short of the high quality set by its predecessors. To regain its original fan base, Season 4 needs to deliver an equally jaw-dropping narrative.

Mirzapur Season 3 Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rajesh Tailang, Vijay Varma, Anjum Sharma, Isha Talwar, Manu Rishi Chaddha, Sheeba Chadha, Anil George, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, Meghna Malik, Lilliput, Alka Amin

Directors: Gurmmeet Singh and Anand Iyer