‘Mirzapur 3’ co-director Anand Iyer opens up about absence of Divyenndu’s Munna Bhaiya: ‘The show is not about one character’

The craze for the first two seasons of ‘Mirzapur’ was immense, capturing the audience’s imagination with its gritty storyline and complex characters. However, the reception of the third season indicates that the show’s success might be waning. Recent reviews suggest that ‘Mirzapur 3‘ has not lived up to the high expectations set by its predecessors.
Anand Iyer, the co-director of the series, recently spoke to India Today about the audience’s mixed reactions and addressed the disappointment regarding the fate of certain characters. One of the major points of contention among fans is the absence of Munna Bhaiya, a beloved character portrayed by Divyenndu. Munna Bhaiya met his end in the second season, much to the dismay of viewers who were hoping for his return in the latest installment.
Addressing this, Anand Iyer stressed the challenge of balancing audience expectations with the integrity of the script. “One can’t cater to everyone,” he explained, highlighting the unpredictability that both life and the narrative of “Mirzapur” demand.
Iyer further elaborated, saying, “Similarly, in a show, characters come and go. It is all about ‘Mirzapur,’ not about one character. The show must go on with new twists and turns.” His comments reflect the creative decisions behind the series, aiming to keep the storyline dynamic and engaging, despite the inevitable farewells to certain characters.
Meanwhile, the reasons behind Munna Bhaiya’s departure remain speculative. It is unclear whether the character’s storyline concluded as intended by the writers or if Divyenndu chose not to return for personal or professional reasons. ‘Mirzapur 3’ continues to feature an ensemble cast, including Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Rasika Dugal, and Shweta Tripathi, among others.