After the Mirzapur web series became a massive hit on OTT platforms, a film carrying the same title is now headed for the big screen, but the moment its trailer dropped, residents of the city began pushing back hard. People in Mirzapur say the film risks repeating the damage the web series already did to the district's image.
Old anger over the web series resurfaces with the new trailer
Anger over the Mirzapur web series has simmered in the district for a while, and the film's trailer has now reignited it, with local residents voicing sharp reactions one after another. Their central complaint is that the film is trying to tarnish Mirzapur's religious identity. They argue that the district's history has never been one of crime or violence, insisting Mirzapur has always been an extremely peaceful place. It is the city of Maa Vindhyavasini, they say, and that is what truly defines it, not the picture painted by the show, which they feel never captured the district's real identity at all.
"Fine as entertainment, but some scenes are unacceptable"
Dharmesh Dubey, a Mirzapur resident also known as Shishu, said the Mirzapur film should be viewed purely as entertainment. At the same time, he was clear that certain scenes in it simply cannot be accepted. He pointed out that the series shows Brahmins eating meat and chicken, calling it deeply hurtful for Mirzapur's Brahmin community. Depicting such an act in the city of the mother goddess, he said, is inappropriate, since Brahmins do not follow such practices. He added that the web series might pass if judged only as entertainment, but from Mirzapur's own point of view, both the series and the film end up damaging the district's image.
"Known for history, not crime," says another resident
Atiq Khan said the series and the film together form a continuing attempt to tarnish Mirzapur's identity. He said Mirzapur has never been known for crime, and is instead recognised for its ancient history, carrying within it numerous historical events that shape its true identity. According to him, the film shows an overwhelming amount of violence that never actually existed in Mirzapur. He demanded action against the makers of the Mirzapur web series.
Fear for the image of Maa Vindhyavasini Dham
Prateek Pandey said Mirzapur's real identity lies in Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, a shrine devotees travel to from across the world for darshan. He said the web series and the film feature these very heritage sites while showing scenes of brawls and hooliganism, which amounts to a direct attempt to damage Mirzapur's image. Residents feel that a district built around faith, peace and ancient history should not be portrayed as a symbol of violence and crime.
