Mumbai: Actor Ali Fazal is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares to reprise his role as Guddu Bhaiya in the upcoming film adaptation of the hit crime-thriller series Mirzapur. Drawing inspiration from his family’s traditional wrestling background, Fazal has immersed himself in the world of “pehelwani and kushti” to develop the strength and stamina needed for the character.
“Guddu Bhaiya is a force to be reckoned with, and I wanted to approach him with the same authenticity that my ancestors brought to their craft,” Fazal shared, highlighting the influence of his wrestling heritage. His training goes beyond protein shakes, focusing on traditional exercises and a diet rooted in his family’s methods—rich in natural proteins, ghee, milk, and seasonal produce—to build a physique capable of both combat and endurance.
“The aim is to create a body that is not just visually impressive but also functional, reflecting Guddu’s raw power and resilience,” Fazal added.
Mirzapur: The Movie continues the story of Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a powerful crime lord ruling over the Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh. The series originally starred Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, Harshita Gaur, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Returning for the movie, the cast is joined by Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, and Neha Sargam.
Filming largely takes place in Mirzapur, with additional shoots in Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. Fazal’s rigorous preparation promises to deliver a more intense and youthful Guddu Bhaiya for fans eagerly awaiting the cinematic adaptation.
