Jitendra Kumar will play Bablu Pandit in Mirzapur: The Movie, taking over from Vikrant Massey. It releases on September 4 and serves as a prequel to the three-season crime thriller. With the original cast returning, his casting has already sparked curiosity.
Now trust me when I say that Jitendra Kumar's casting is not really a test of his skills or abilities. It is a test of audience memory.
He has already shown that he can handle darker roles. In Bhagwat: Raakshas, he played a killer and stepped far away from his usual image. But for most viewers, Jitendra Kumar is still Jeetu Bhaiya or Sachiv Ji. He is the warm, relatable and soft-spoken guy audiences have grown used to seeing.
Jitendra Kumar vs Vikrant Massey
Vikrant Massey's Bablu Pandit was very different. He was quiet, intelligent and innocent. As the story moved forward, that innocence slowly gave way to crime and tragedy. For years, audiences have connected Bablu’s face and personality with Vikrant Massey. That makes replacing him tricky.
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Jitendra may be able to play dark characters, but Bablu is not simply a dark character. He is Guddu Pandit’s calmer and more grounded side.
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Interestingly, Harshita Gaur, who plays Dimpy Pandit in the franchise, does not seem to share these concerns. Having worked with both actors, she feels Jitendra Kumar has managed to fit into Bablu's world without making the change feel distracting.
Speaking about Jitendra replacing Vikrant, Harshita acknowledged Vikrant Massey's contribution. However, she maintained her ground on Jitendra Kumar bringing his own understanding.
She also said the transition did not feel odd while watching the movie. According to her, he has managed to capture Bablu's essence and maintain the bond between the character and Guddu.
ALSO READ - CBFC Cuts 35 Seconds Of Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur The Movie Before Clearing It
About Mirzapur: The Movie
Mirzapur: The Movie stars Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Divyenndu. Jitendra Kumar replaces Vikrant Massey as Bablu Pandit. Ravi Kishan, Sushant Singh and Sonal Chauhan are new additions to the ensemble cast.
On September 4, Mirzapur will be released in theatres in Hindi and Telugu.
Seeing Jitendra beside Ali Fazal's violent and intense Guddu Pandit could either surprise audiences or break the illusion. There is always a risk that viewers may see Jeetu Bhaiya instead of Bablu Pandit. What do you think?