Shobhaa De Says Mirzapur Film Is 'Meant For Men,' Fell Asleep For 15 Minutes

Film critic and author Shobhaa De has shared a sharply critical review of Mirzapur: The Movie, describing it as a film “meant for men” and saying she fell asleep for around 15 minutes during the screening. De said she also heard two women sitting behind her apparently snoring during the film. While she praised the performances of Ravi Kishan and Ali Fazal, she questioned the film’s storyline and criticised what she viewed as excessive and unexplained violence.

Sharing her reaction on social media, De said she spent nearly four hours watching the film, including the time spent around the screening, while questioning why its various sequences had been put together. She also referred to several unusual elements in the story, including a dwarf, camel’s milk and a villain who makes lingerie for his romantic interest. Her comments reflected her view that the film relies heavily on spectacle and provocative material without providing enough narrative purpose to hold her attention.

De further criticised the film’s use of violence, arguing that several violent sequences appeared to be included without a convincing reason within the story. She also mentioned a sex scene involving Beena Tripathi, played by Rasika Dugal, as part of her broader assessment of the film’s content. Despite her reservations, she singled out the performances of Ravi Kishan and Ali Fazal for praise, indicating that the acting stood out even though she remained unconvinced by the overall narrative.

Also Read: 'Mirzapur The Movie' Trailer Out: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal Promise Bloodshed

The review also came with an important qualification, as De said she watched Mirzapur: The Movie as a standalone film and had not previously watched the Mirzapur series. The movie continues the world established by the franchise, with Ali Fazal returning as Guddu Bhaiya as he seeks to strengthen his hold over the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The film also features returning actors including Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu, Sheeba Chaddha and Shweta Tripathi, alongside new additions to the cast.

Directed by Gurmeet Singh, the film continues the franchise’s established mix of crime, power struggles, violence and complicated relationships. The movie introduces new developments and characters while retaining the larger conflict surrounding the control of the region. Its storyline takes a different direction from the earlier series, with new twists, interpersonal conflicts and set pieces forming the basis of the theatrical continuation of the franchise.

Despite De’s negative assessment, Mirzapur: The Movie has performed strongly at the box office. After its first week, the film’s reported net collection in India stood at Rs 148.45 crore, while its gross collection reached Rs 176.94 crore. The contrast between its commercial performance and De’s criticism highlights the varied response to the film, with audiences continuing to contribute to its strong theatrical run even as some reviewers have questioned its storytelling and reliance on violence.

Also Read: 'Mirzapur The Movie' Trailer Out: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal Promise Bloodshed