Mirzapur Gets New Bablu; Does Jitendra Kumar Take Vikrant Massey's Legacy Forward With Same Honesty?

The arrival of digital streaming platforms in India gave actors a platform to let their craft shine and look at entertainment beyond superstardom. Jitendra Kumar became a household name with content-driven shows like Kota Factory. Then came Panchayat when the nation was locked at home due to the pandemic. The show's simplicity and Kumar's incredibly lovable performance made him famous as Sachiv Ji. Jitendra became the face of softer, family-oriented dramas. But when it was announced that he would be playing Bablu Pandit in Mirzapur's film adaptation, fans were sceptical about whether he could match Vikrant Massey's legacy.

Vikrant played Bablu Pandit, the younger brother of Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) in the first season of Prime Video's Mirzapur in 2018. The character was killed in the final episode, putting an end to his story. He was the catalyst in taking the narrative forward with the new rivalry angle. The film adaptation took a different route and gave a new spin to Bablu's personality. The core remained the same, but with Jitendra, it got a fresh approach.

The character of Bablu has been associated with Vikrant for the longest time. Breaking the mould, Jitendra took the challenge to reinvent his image and fit into the world of Mirzapur: The Movie effortlessly. The face of Bablu might have changed, but the character's likability hasn't.

In Mirzapur, Bablu was the softer and more intelligent brother of Guddu, who did not let the parent-child equation at home turn completely bitter. While Guddu was all about the brawl, Bablu was the heart. He saw dreams, and despite being involved in criminal activities, he saw the brighter side of the profession – money. Guddu brought street smartness; Bablu completed the puzzle with his maturity.

Vikrant, the brilliant performer that he is, ensured that he added multiple layers to the character. Since Mirzapur was a new world altogether, Massey shaped it up with all the creative freedom he had. The impact of his performance is still felt. Eight years later, when Mirzapur: The Movie was confirmed, Vikrant's return to the title was anticipated. On mutual ground, Jitendra replaced him without bad blood. The legacy was passed to the Panchayat actor who arrived on the big screen on September 4.

In 2026, Bablu has changed. Jitendra's version of the famous character had more agency. He is smarter, wiser and an almost perfect gentleman. Bablu wants his empire and is willing to step away from Kaleen Bhaiya's shadow. His eyes call for power, authority and position. As compared to Vikrant's version, Jitendra's Bablu is darker.

Jitendra Kumar as Bablu Pandit in Mirzapur: The Movie

Mirzapur is a part of India's pop culture. What Vikrant brought to the table felt more authentic, less performative and more organic. Jitendra, to the best of his ability, tried to replicate his predecessor. While he is a brilliant actor with a lot of potential, the shadow of Massey lurks behind him.

Having said so, it doesn't imply that Jitendra delivered a weaker performance. The world of Mirzapur is yet to accept him wholeheartedly. The iconic Guddu-Bablu chemistry feels dull in the film. Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Divyenndu immersed themselves in the story, but Jitendra needs more time to understand its pulse. There is a scene at the end where Kaleen urges Bablu to stay in Mirzapur and help him expand his business. The rage in his eyes explains his emotions more than words could ever.

Vikrant's Bablu would have had a different approach to this scene. The series also tapped into his sensitive love story with Golu Gupta (Shweta Tripathi). In Mirzapur: The Movie somewhere missed out on capturing that emotional and sensitive side of the character. Bablu and Golu's incomplete love story has had a massive impact on viewers.

Jitendra, as an actor, is fantastic, but as Bablu, it remains only with Vikrant. Despite the new approach, Massey's absence is felt.

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