Director Gurmmeet Singh on Mirzapur Film's Box‑Office Success, Cast Changes and Song Row

Mirzapur The Movie’s strong box‑office performance is prompting makers to consider moving more OTT series to cinemas, director Gurmmeet Singh says. He noted the team did not go into the project expecting to set a unique record and was partly unaware that OTT‑to‑film moves have rarely succeeded, even overseas. Singh thanked fans for filling theatres in large numbers and called their enthusiasm "sone pe suhaga". The film, however, attracted criticism when Rasika Dugal’s character was slammed online for her choices; Singh blamed rapid‑spreading hate and pointed to a long‑standing patriarchal bias in the industry that will take time to change. A separate controversy erupted over the use of the "Shoorveer" song in a violent sequence, prompting legal attention. Singh said the producers are ready to address any action, stressing that the track was meant only as an energetic background and not to offend anyone’s sentiments. All main cast members returned except Vikrant Massey, who opted out; Jitendra Kumar stepped into the role of Bablu bhaiya for the film. Singh emphasized that actors should be free to choose their career paths and that no one should feel tied to past projects.

Context

OTT shows rarely get theatrical releases in India, so the film’s success shows changing audience habits. Social media backlash often amplifies criticism, especially against female characters, reflecting broader gender biases in entertainment.