Copyright timesnownews
The wait for Mirzapur: The Movie just got even more thrilling! The powerhouse trio—Pankaj Tripathi (our very own Kaleen Bhaiya), Ali Fazal (Guddu Pandit), and Shweta Tripathi Sharma (Golu Gupta)—have officially wrapped the Banaras schedule of the much-anticipated film. After two weeks of intense filming amidst the colourful chaos of Banaras—its ghats, narrow lanes, and the unmistakable hum of local life—the cast and crew have now packed up from the holy city. The atmosphere on set was electric, with fans catching glimpses of their favourite stars shooting in public spaces, sending social media into a frenzy. The team is now gearing up to commence the Mumbai schedule right after Diwali, marking the next major phase in bringing the Mirzapur universe to the big screen. Shweta Tripathi on Banaras, Golu, and Growing with the City For Shweta Tripathi Sharma, returning to Banaras wasn’t just another shoot—it was emotional, nostalgic, and deeply personal. Reflecting on her time there, she said, “Banaras has given me so much as an actor—it’s almost poetic that I keep finding myself here for roles that define me. Golu’s journey has been one of transformation and inner strength, and shooting in Banaras makes that emotion feel real. The people here treat Mirzapur as their own story, and that’s such a rare and beautiful thing to witness. This schedule was intense, emotional, and full of gratitude. Now I’m looking forward to taking that same energy to our next schedule in Mumbai.” Her words beautifully sum up how deeply the city has intertwined itself with the soul of Mirzapur. Of Late-Night Shoots, Forty Cups of Chai, and White Buttered Bread When it comes to the cast of Mirzapur, camaraderie is clearly fuelled by more than just on-screen chemistry—it’s also powered by tea. Lots of it. Reminiscing about her favourite moments on set, Shweta shared her heart-warming (and slightly hunger-inducing) Benarasi food memory: “During our night shoots, the one thing we all looked forward to was Lakshmi Chai. Since the cast of Mirzapur is so big, whenever the tea arrived, we’d serve around 40 cups along with a small, very cute-looking piece of bread, topped with white butter.” And when the shoot ran long, the crew ensured their spirits (and cups) stayed full. “We used to send thermos flasks of tea from the hotel to keep it hot. That was the one thing that kept us going through the night shoots,” she added. Somewhere between intense scenes and sips of chai, Mirzapur magic was being brewed—literally. Ali Fazal’s Birthday: A Lucknowi Feast to Remember What’s a Mirzapur shoot without a little celebration? This time, it was Ali Fazal’s birthday that turned into a royal affair, quite literally. Shweta revealed that the party was unlike any other, all thanks to a special culinary twist. “It was Ali’s birthday, and he did something truly special—he got fifth-generation chefs from Lucknow to cook for us. Oh my God, I’ve never eaten food like that! Since my mother is from Lucknow, anything connected to the city instantly makes me happy,” she said. From kebabs that melted at first bite to biryanis fragrant enough to make one nostalgic, the cast had a feast fit for Mirzapur royalty. “I’ve never eaten food like that in my life! Everyone was there that day — Rasika, Pankaj ji, Abhishek Banerjee, and the rest of the cast. We all called it our ‘breaking bread together’ moment. That evening, all you could hear were sighs from every corner — we were all in a blissful food coma,” she laughed. The scene sounds more like a Lucknowi daawat than a birthday party, with plates wiped clean and hearts full. Games, Gupshup, and the Mirzapur Family Even off-camera, the Mirzapur team seems to share the same energy that defines their on-screen relationships—minus the guns and gore, of course. “As soon as the shoot ended, everyone would gather in the evenings — we’d play games, chat for hours, and just enjoy being together. It always feels like coming back to family. It’s been nine years of knowing each other so closely, so well, so spending time with them is always really special,” Shweta said. After years of working together, the Mirzapur cast seems more like a family than co-stars, and that warmth clearly translates on screen. The Chutney That Stole the Show Between chai and kebabs, one little condiment made quite an impression on Shweta—Banaras’ signature tomato chutney. “And there’s one more thing I absolutely love — tomato chutney! I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s so good that I’ve had it with everything — from poha and cheela to rice and lentils. I love it so much that I could honestly eat it just like that,” she confessed with a laugh. Only someone with true foodie credentials would describe chutney with such affection—and Shweta clearly fits the bill. What’s Next for Mirzapur: The Movie With the Banaras schedule wrapped, Mirzapur: The Movie is now heading into its next phase in Mumbai. Fans can expect the same explosive mix of power, revenge, loyalty, and human drama—but on a much grander cinematic scale. As the universe of Mirzapur expands from streaming to the silver screen, one thing is certain—the heart of the story will remain the same: raw, real, and rooted in the very soil that first birthed it. And if Shweta’s stories are anything to go by, the team’s off-screen bond and their shared love for food, laughter, and chai might just be the secret ingredient behind Mirzapur’s enduring success. Fun Fact: The team’s obsession with chai might just rival Kaleen Bhaiya’s love for control—except this time, it’s the tea that’s running the show!
