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Abhishek Banerjee on Mirzapur—The Movie: 'Very rarely do actors get to bring a character back from the dead'
Abhishek Banerjee describes reviving Compounder for Mirzapur—The Movie as “a whole new challenge on a grand scale.”
Nov 19, 2024
Abhishek Banerjee in a still from Mirzapur
A pioneer in the Indian OTT world, Prime Video's mega-hit Mirzapur has leaped to the big screen. Abhishek Banerjee, who portrayed the lead character of Compounder in the 2018-19 crime thriller, never imagined he would be playing the same part in a film adaptation six years later.
Abhishek Banerjee's excitement about returning as Compounder
In an interview with Mid Day, following the announcement of Mirzapur—The Movie by the producers, the actor expressed his excitement at the prospect of stepping into the role once again, this time for the big screen. He expressed his continued high regard for this character and the widespread love for it. Banerjee claimed that he went by the name "Comounder" for a long time, and the character was dark, dramatic, and edgy to play.
Pankaj Tripathi (Kaleen Bhaiyya), under the direction of Gurmmeet Singh (who has directed more episodes than anyone else over the show's three seasons), will play the lead opposite Ali Fazal and Divyenndu. The two beloved characters, Compounder (Banerjee) and Munna (Divyenndu), are returning to the big screen despite having died in the first and second seasons, respectively.
Few actors, as pointed out by Banerjee, get the chance to revive a dead character and play him again for a new audience. Compounder's backstory is so complex and honest, and he knows his audience has been wanting more from him. Returning the character is an exciting opportunity for Banerjee personally as an actor, and it also fulfills a long-standing desire among the fans.
Mirzapur as a career catalyst for Abhishek Banerjee
As far back as Banerjee can remember, Mirzapur has been his resume staple. Indeed, the casting director landed his first major role in a commercial production with this crime drama, which depicts the dynamics of power and gang conflicts in Uttar Pradesh. He was the show's casting director at first, but he eventually became an actor on it.
When asked what makes the casting of Mirzapur so memorable, Banerjee said that the scene was drastically different back then. The series revolutionised the industry by rekindling actors' passion for web series. As a result of the success of the show, many of the performers have gone on to star in other films and television shows. Creators, writers, and directors were not the only ones who benefitted from the show; the cast as a whole did as well. This is a huge improvement, the actor says, now that Mirzapur is a film.
Why Mirzapur is ideal for the big screen
Excel Entertainment produces the show, which many argue would be ideal for a 70mm screening due to its high drama and spectacular action sequences. Even Banerjee acknowledges that the series has an inflated sense of scale.
The scale is a perfect fit for the show's larger-than-life conflicts, which include power battles, vengeance, and raw human emotions. A visceral storyline and intense frames are present. Each character's journey is complex. When viewed on a large screen, these details will appear even more prominent. The tumultuous action scenes, complex plot points, and dramatic backdrop will stand out even more when viewed on a larger screen. The raucous, all-encompassing universe of Mirzapur is well-suited to the dramatic and spectacular possibilities afforded by film.
As they prepare the script, the actor is confident it will be perfect for the film. Banerjee's motivation is solely based on the thrill of being back with his old tribe; he hasn't even read anything about the movie yet. There's a certain enchantment about returning to the starting point, but on a far wider scale.
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