Ali Fazal on Mirzapur’s Lasting Impact: ‘I’m Glad People Connect With Guddu Pandit’
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Ali Fazal, the heart of Mirzapur as Guddu Pandit, opens up about the show’s enduring fanbase and how comparisons to his iconic role don’t faze him. In an exclusive NDTV interview while promoting Metro…In Dino, he reflects on Mirzapur’s global appeal, his diverse career, and the excitement for Season 4 and Mirzapur: The Film, both slated for 2026. This blog dives into Ali’s journey, his gratitude for fans, and what lies ahead.
Guddu Pandit: A Role That Defines a Generation
Since Mirzapur premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2018, Ali Fazal’s portrayal of Guddu Pandit has become a cultural phenomenon. The gritty crime drama, set in the lawless underbelly of Uttar Pradesh, follows Guddu’s transformation from an ambitious bodybuilder to a ruthless gangster driven by love, loss, and vengeance. Over three seasons, Ali’s layered performance has earned him a loyal fanbase, with fans on X chanting “Guddu Bhaiya” and memes immortalizing his intense dialogues. In a June 18, 2025, NDTV interview, Ali addressed whether constant comparisons to Guddu overshadow his diverse roles, revealing a grounded perspective that celebrates his audience’s love.
Embracing the Mirzapur Legacy
While promoting his upcoming film Metro…In Dino, Ali spoke candidly about Mirzapur’s impact. “No, it doesn’t bother me. Why should it? I’m constantly doing Mirzapur, and it’s only growing. I’m glad people connect with that,” he told NDTV. He acknowledged that fans often latch onto a single iconic role, saying, “In other countries, people connect with my international work and that’s a separate audience. So I know how people can tend to connect with you only through that one character.” For Indian audiences, Guddu Pandit is a benchmark, while his international fans recognize him from projects like Furious 7 (2015), Victoria & Abdul (2017), and Death on the Nile (2022).
Ali’s gratitude shines through as he embraces this duality. “With my international audience, they react to the work they have seen in the West. That becomes the only thing they are circling back to. It’s a mixed bag of people appreciating at the end of the day,” he said, adding, “In a society filled with angry people, I don’t think I would mind any kind of appreciation for the work we do.” His humility resonates on X, where @CinephileIndia praised him as “an actor who values his fans’ love, no matter the role.”
Guddu Pandit’s Evolution in Mirzapur
In Mirzapur, Ali plays Govind “Guddu” Pandit, a college student with dreams of becoming Mr. UP Bodybuilding Champion. His life unravels after a tragic love story and personal losses, pushing him into a violent power struggle against the don Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi). Guddu’s arc, marked by raw emotion and moral ambiguity, transforms him into a vengeful gangster navigating regional politics. Ali’s ability to portray Guddu’s pain and rage has made the character a fan favorite, with Reddit threads lauding scenes like his confrontations with Munna Tripathi (Divyenndu).
The series’ success—Season 1’s 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and Season 3’s global streaming records—owes much to Ali’s chemistry with co-stars like Vikrant Massey (Bablu Pandit) and Shweta Tripathi (Golu Gupta). Season 4, tentatively set for late 2025 or early 2026, promises to escalate Guddu’s saga, with Shweta Tripathi telling NDTV, “Work is on. Bahut zor-shor se kaam ho raha hai. I cannot wait to be on that set.” A feature film, Mirzapur: The Film, also slated for 2026, will expand the universe, though details remain under wraps.
A Diverse Career Beyond Mirzapur
Ali’s career spans genres and borders, showcasing his versatility. Born on October 15, 1986, in Lucknow, he debuted in The Other End of the Line (2008) and gained notice with 3 Idiots (2009) and Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011). His Bollywood breakthrough came with Fukrey (2013) as Zafar, a role he reprised in Fukrey Returns (2017) and Fukrey 3 (2023). Internationally, he appeared in Furious 7 and played Abdul Karim in Victoria & Abdul alongside Judi Dench, earning critical praise.
His recent projects include Kandahar (2023) with Gerard Butler and Khufiya (2023) on Netflix, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Ali also runs Lights! Camera! Action!, a production house with Richa Chadha, his wife since 2020, producing films like Girls Will Be Girls (2024), which won awards at Sundance. On X, @BollywoodGuru called him “a global desi star balancing indie and mainstream with ease.”
Metro…In Dino: A New Chapter
Ali’s current focus is Metro…In Dino, a romantic anthology directed by Anurag Basu, set for release in 2025. As Akash, a musician, he stars opposite Fatima Sana Shaikh in this sequel to Life in a…Metro (2007). The film, featuring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, and Konkona Sen Sharma, explores modern relationships with Basu’s signature emotional depth. Ali’s excitement for the project, shared in a Pinkvilla interview, highlights his passion for diverse roles, saying, “It’s a beautiful story that connects with today’s audience.”
The Road Ahead
With Mirzapur Season 4 and Mirzapur: The Film on the horizon, Ali’s association with Guddu Pandit continues to grow. Shweta Tripathi’s update, hinting at a possible July 2025 announcement around her birthday, has fans buzzing on X, with @MirzapurFanClub speculating, “Guddu vs. Kaleen Bhaiya will hit new heights!” Ali’s international projects, including a potential Hollywood role teased in a 2025 Variety report, suggest his star will rise further.
His personal life, marked by his marriage to Richa Chadha and their newborn daughter in July 2024, adds a grounding layer. Ali’s recent Instagram post from London, captioned “Jamming through life,” reflects his balance of work and family, earning likes from fans and peers like Anurag Kashyap.
A Star Who Embraces His Roots
Ali Fazal’s journey from Lucknow to global screens is a testament to his talent and resilience. His gratitude for Mirzapur’s fans, despite comparisons to Guddu Pandit, showcases a rare humility. As he gears up for Metro…In Dino and Mirzapur’s next chapter, Ali remains a bridge between Indian and international cinema, winning hearts with every role.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available reports and social media updates. Release dates and project details are subject to change. The article does not reflect the views of Ali Fazal or any affiliated parties. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently.
Sources: NDTV (June 18, 2025), Pinkvilla (June 17, 2025), Hindustan Times (2024), Variety (2025), Amazon Prime Video press releases, and posts on X.
