Mirzapur: The Film - Did Ali Fazal accidentally confirm Jitendra Kumar as new Bablu Pandit?

Ali Fazal's birthday post on the sets of Mirzapur: The Film confirmed that Jitendra Kumar will replace Vikrant Massey as Bablu Pandit. The film, set for 2026, appears to revisit the Season 1 timeline.

Ali Fazal poses with Team Mirzapur: The Film

Inadvertently, Ali Fazal—who celebrated his birthday on location for the much-anticipated Mirzapur: The Film—has given fans the biggest casting confirmation they've seen so far. Jitendra Kumar has joined the ensemble cast, according to a series of behind-the-scenes photos posted by Fazal on his Instagram page. This confirms a long-running industry rumour that Kumar will play Vinay "Bablu" Pandit.

Ali Fazal shares Mirzapur: The Film BTS

Taking a break from calling it a birthday season, Fazal—who plays the mighty Guddu Pandit again—captioned his post, "Let's just call it a birthday season from now on. Come October, we feast and break bread with some people we love." Although the actor's caption was filled with sincere appreciation, the photographs that accompanied it provided undeniable evidence of the production's continuation and the presence of both new and returning cast members.

With Kumar's casting, Vikrant Massey, who played the beloved, intellectually inclined Bablu Pandit in the pilot season of the Prime Video series, has been officially replaced. Reports have it that the National Award-winning actor was reluctant to reprise his role for the film adaptation, which is said to revisit or reinvent the events of the first season—all because of the infamous death of his character.

ALSO READ: Jitendra Kumar in Mirzapur The Film: Is Panchayat's Sachiv Ji crossover finally happening? Know here

First look at the ensemble cast

The shared photos offer an unfiltered look at the joyous mood on set. In the first picture, we can see a big party in what seems like a private dining room. On the right, standing out, you can see Fazal, who is wearing a white kurta and spectacles and is grinning widely. Kumar, who is wearing a black T-shirt, is standing just to his right, staking his claim to the project. Notable performers Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rasika Dugal, and Shweta Tripathi Sharma are all in the photo. Highlighting the close-knit character of the Mirzapur squad, the picture has a joyful, jubilant vibe.

Fazal, donning a grey hooded sweatshirt once again, takes the lead in the second selfie, which contains a rather different gathering. To further emphasise the magnitude of the film's cast, this frame features performers recognised for other crucial parts in the Mirzapur world.

Highlighting the broader cast

Another picture shows Fazal taking a photograph at a different table with red and white tablecloths. Abhishek Banerjee, who portrays Compounder in the show, sits beside the actor in this snapshot. Fazal is seen in another photo alongside a significant number of people, including the energetic Shriya Pilgaonkar (who played Sweety Gupta in Season 1) and other members of the cast and crew, including some who are known for their work behind the scenes. This photo emphasises the collaboration that went into making the production.

Panchayat and Kota Factory star Jitendra Kumar, who is renowned for his complex and humorous parts, adds an interesting aspect to the recast role of Bablu Pandit. Striking a delicate balance between the character's fragility and his growing ruthlessness is crucial in portraying him as a studious young man reluctantly entangled in the violent power struggle of Mirzapur. Kumar's talent for subtly intense performances makes him an intriguing choice to embody the new Bablu Pandit.

Plot speculation and anticipation for the 2026 theatrical release

Although the plot details of Mirzapur: The Film are still unknown, the fact that it will feature Bablu Pandit and Sweety Gupta, whose stories ended in the series, implies that it could be a prequel, set in a different timeline, or a cinematic adaptation of what happened in the first season. Kumar being cast in such a significant, established character has elevated the film's creative standards and heightened the audience's anticipation for its 2026 theatrical debut. Photos taken on set have confirmed that the cast and crew are now in Benares, a crucial setting in the Mirzapur story.

FAQs:

Q: Is Jitendra Kumar playing Bablu Pandit in Mirzapur: The Film?

A: Yes, actor Jitendra Kumar has been confirmed to be playing the character of Vinay "Bablu" Pandit in the highly anticipated Mirzapur: The Film. This was inadvertently revealed through behind-the-scenes birthday photos shared by Ali Fazal.

Q: Who did Jitendra Kumar replace as Bablu Pandit?

A: Jitendra Kumar is replacing Vikrant Massey, who originally portrayed the fan-favourite character of Bablu Pandit in the first season of the Prime Video series, Mirzapur.

Q: Which other original Mirzapur cast members are in the movie?

A: The set photographs shared by Ali Fazal confirm the presence of key returning cast members including Ali Fazal (Guddu Pandit), Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Abhishek Banerjee (Compounder), and Shriya Pilgaonkar (Sweety Gupta).

Share