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Shweta Tripathi defends Jitendra Kumar replacing Vikrant Massey in Mirzapur: ‘What Jeetu has done is not easy’

Jitendra Kumar's casting as Bablu in Mirzapur: The Movie faced initial criticism but gained acceptance after the film's success.\

Updated on: Sep 11, 2026, 06:04:49 IST
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When it was first announced that Jitendra Kumar would replace Vikrant Massey as Bablu in Mirzapur: The Movie, many people did not approve of the choice. However, after the film’s release and its subsequent success at the box office, that narrative has changed. In a recent interaction, Shweta Tripathi spoke about Jitendra replacing Vikrant’s character in the film.

‘What Jeetu has done is not easy’

Jitendra Kumar replaced Vikrant Massey in Mirzapur The Movie.
Jitendra Kumar replaced Vikrant Massey in Mirzapur The Movie.

Speaking to NDTV, she said, “What Jeetu has done is not easy. On Mirzapur, we are a family. We could be intimidating, we all have been together for nine years. But he made a full Bablu-type entry. We didn't come to know how he managed to pull it off. But now he's a part of our core group. Be it work or party, he has to be there. And he makes fantastic mutton! He has done full justice to a different version of Bablu and not taking away anything from (Vikrant) Massey. He is a fantastic actor which all of us know.”

‘The entire cast welcomed him with open arms’

Shweta previously starred with Jitendra in the 2019 film Gone Kesh. She admitted that the comfort level they already shared after working together added to their chemistry in the film.

Deep Dive

Why was Jitendra Kumar cast as Bablu in Mirzapur: The Movie instead of Vikrant Massey?

The director Gurmmeet Singh explained that bringing in a new actor was part of a creative decision to take the story in a different direction and to open up new opportunities for the film.

What challenges did Jitendra Kumar face in taking over the role of Bablu in Mirzapur: The Movie?

Shweta Tripathi noted that Jitendra's performance was impressive given the complexity of stepping into a well-established character, emphasizing that he made a full Bablu-type entry into a familiar cast environment.

How has Mirzapur: The Movie performed at the box office since its release?

Since its release on September 4, Mirzapur: The Movie has grossed ₹197 crore worldwide, showing strong performance both during the opening weekend and in subsequent weeks.
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Director Gurmmeet Singh has now shared his side of the story. He explained that bringing in a new actor was part of taking the story in a different direction. For him, the creative process could not be tied to what had already been done in the series.

In a recent interaction with Zoom, the film’s director Gurmmeet Singh revealed the reason behind replacing Vikrant. He said, “The best thing about the creative process is that it never binds us. There is often an expectation that everything will remain the same, but that isn't possible—and that shouldn't bother anyone. When we decided to recast Bablu, we were approaching the film in a new way, and this opened up new doors for us.”

Mirzapur: The Movie is based on the Amazon Prime Video series Mirzapur (2018). It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan in lead roles.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vibha Maru

Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.

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