MY REVIEW OF MIRZAPUR SEASON 2

I was a late entrant into the "Mirzapur" weries. Even though it arrived 2 years back, I watched it only a couple of months back during the lockdown. I finally gave in to the immense pressure around, and I couldn’t resist seeing what was so great about the show which led it to become the most successful series in India. And hence, I started watching the first episode of season 1. Shuru majboori mein kiye they, par baad mein jo majaa aaya, I can't describe that. I realized that the hype around the show was totally justified. Also, the makers ended season 1 on such a cliffhanger that it was imperative for everyone to wait so eagerly for season 2.

PLOT, DIRECTION & WRITING

As I started watching season 2,I slowly realized a few things. This season was way different from the previous one. Gone was the rawness and loudness. The amount of violence shown also seemed much less. Things seemed much more mature. My thoughts were only strengthened as I progressed further. 

Season 2 is much more nuanced, much more focussed on the plot and character development. If season 1 was the storm, season 2 focusses on the aftermath, and also the eerie calm before another incoming storm.

Here, the focus is more on substance rather than style. And I noticed – when you work properly on the substance, the necessary amount of style automatically accompanies.

Gurmmeet Singh, Puneet Krishna, Mihir Desai and Karan Anshuman know that they have to live up to the expectations of season 1, and they do that in style and perfection, almost.

The development of every single character is exceptionally well done. This time, there is a lot more depth to each character. Beena's character shows the turmoil going on within her. Munna Bhaiyya's soft side is explored. I really loved his transition from "Saadi utaar bhi sakte hain" to "Rehne dijiye. Yeh saadi aap par bohot acchi lag rahi hain".

Also, the chemistry between Ali Fazal and Shweta Tripathi is well done. Here are two people coping with their own sorrows and yet connected by a common aim – revenge. The scene where they embrace each other and cry is heartwrenching.

Also, the importance given to the "right hand men" is nice. Maqbool's character was already an important one in season 1. He gets an even better role in this season.

Similarly, Babar's character was well written too.

Another thing I liked in this season was the emphasis on emotions. There are a few scenes which create a lump in your throat – something which is a rarity in Indian web series. I have always felt that Indian series are too obsessed with the style that they rarely delve deep in the emotional department. Sushmita Sen's "Aarya" was one example which dealt with the emotional scenes very well. Mirzapur 2 too does the same thing well.

There is also a lot of humour on and off in the form of few characters (Lalit) and few situations (The sequence where Kaleen Bhaiyya and Maqbool go to visit the doctor, the Liliput entrance sequence, etc.) 

Coming to the writing, I definitely found it inconsistent at places. The whole problem according to me was with the fact that the viewers were expecting the entire 2nd season to be based on the revenge of Guddu and Golu. However, that is only one of the many subplots of Mirzapur.

There is the entire subplot of the Tyagis from Bihar – starring Vijay Varma in a double role.

Then there is a lot of screentime dedicated to the relationship between the Yadavs – Surya Pratap Yadav and J.P Yadav, and Surya Pratap Yadav's daughter Madhuri (A wonderful role portrayed by Isha Talwar.)

Guddu and Shabnam's relatonship is also given a lot of focus.

Somewhere during the 4th episode, I felt that the plot was dragging a lot. There were so many characters being introduced and hardly any movement. But things soon improve.

Also, the entire 7th and 8th episodes have hardly any emphasis on Guddu and Golu. You begin to wonder whether the original agenda of seeking revenge was forgotten. But ultimately you are treated to a gorgeous final episode which is 65 minutes long and which wraps up things pretty well.

As I neared the end of the final episode, I was skeptical whether "Iss time garam karke thanda toh nahi chhod denge na?". however, the climax is extremely well done. It was as if the director was mocking us by telling us – "Hum wait hi kar rahe they ki kab aap logon ko aisa lage aur kab hum apna trump card nikaalein." The end was extremely "sukoon" worthy. I guess the last time I felt so was during the climax of "Gangs of Wasseypur 2" where Nawaz ruthlessly massacres Ramadhir Singh.

MY THOUGHTS – WHAT I LIKED & WHAT I DISLIKED

As I already mentioned, I loved the character development in this season. Isha Talwar's character is very well written, and her chemistry with Munna Bhaiyya was very good.

The climax as I mentioned, is well done.

I however did not like the way Golu's character behaved and evolved. The entire sequence with Vijay Varma was unconvincing and unnecessary. Her unending rant of "Pataa nahin" only confused me more. It was hard to deduce what was going on in her mind. Also, I had loved her role in season 1. Somehow I felt that she was no longer the same in season 2. There is the reasoning that Bablu's death changed things, but somehow I wasn’t too convinced. Her character could have been so much more relatable. Here, she feels disconnected and volatile. Her transition from the Golu of Season 1 to the Golu of season 2 isn't very smooth and convincing.

Another thing I did not like was the casting of Lilliput. He is no doubt a versatile actor, but he is far from menacing.

PERFORMANCES

Rasika Duggal as Beena gives a terrific performance – one of her very best. She is flawless in every department. Her performance has various shades and she switches back and forth as smoothly as a chameleon.

Khulbhushan Kharbanda is solid. He is much better than season 1. The tv commentaries during his scenes are too good – smartly thought of.

As Maqbool, Shaji Chaudhary is one of the best things about Mirzapur. This is a character for which I rooted. Maqbool is the textbook definition of a loyal right hand man. Shaji Chaudhary remains his usual brilliant subdued form until the last episode where he is extremely good.

Maqbool's nephew Babar is again played very well by Aasif Khan.

Isha Talwar is the surprise package of the show. She has an important role and she essays it with utmost sincerity and confidence.

Amongst the Pandit family, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha are at their very best. They have less screentime this time though. Harshita Gaur as Dimpy gets more to do this season and she looks cute. Priyanshu Painyuli as Radheshyam a.k.a Robin – yeh bhi theek hai.

As the Yadav brothers, Paritosh Sand and Pramod Pathak do well.

Anjum Shukla as Sharad has an important role and he leaves a mark. The way this season ends, looks like he will have a pivotal role in the next season.

Anil George as Lala is good. His daughter Shabnam's role played by Shernavaz Jijina is also done well. 

Dadda Tyagi played by Lilliput evokes hardly any chills, but Lilliput's acting skills are great even today. Good to see him get a big role.

Vijay Varma as the twin brothers Bharat and Shatrughan is excellent. It will be worth the wait to see what he has in store for us in the next season.

Amit Sial as Maurya is brilliant, as always.

Shweta Tripathi is very good, but I wasn’t too convinced by the way she acts/reacts out of emotion. I can understand that she too is wounded emotionally, but the way she behaves seemed irrational at times.

And finally, the three performances on the shoulders of which Mirzapur rests –

Divyenndu Sharma as Munna Bhaiyya once again is fabulous. He has the same badass attitude he had in season 1. However, it felt nice to see a softer side to his character this time. Also, his interactions with Kaleen Bhaiyya are less funny and more explosive this time.

Pankaj Tripathi (and his neck) are in sublime form. He delivers both the laughs as well as the scares effortlessly. You literally wait for his dialogues whenever Munna does some blunder. Once again, his dialogues are meme-worthy material. Prabandh ho toh aisa!

And finally, we have Ali Fazal as Guddu – the wounded tiger. While Season 1 had an Ali who was under the effect of steroids and who walked with his shoulders elevated and who had volatile outbursts of emotions, season 2 shows a much more brooding Ali; and he is outstanding. He gives a performance of a lifetime. By the time the last episode ends, you cannot help but fall head over heels with his performance.

OVERALL, the second season of "Mirzapur" might not have as much violence and whistle worthy dialogues as season 1, but this one has more depth, more intensity and more focus on characterizations and emotions. This one is a well directed, well written and extremely well performed season which makes the wait for season 3 worthy.

#MS3W?

RATING – 9/10

P.S – I really missed Bablu bhaiyya. And even Sweety.