Sonal Chauhan on Mirzapur: The Movie Success: ‘None of Us Expected This Kind of a Storm’

Sonal Chauhan entered the much-loved Mirzapur universe with Mirzapur: The Movie, taking on the role of Mumtaz Bibi, a character romantically involved with Ravi Kishan’s Babban Yadav.

For Sonal, stepping into a franchise with an established audience was both exciting and intimidating. The challenge became even greater as the popular streaming universe made its transition to the big screen.

In an exclusive conversation with HF’s Hardika Gupta, Sonal opened up about becoming part of Mirzapur, her preparation for Mumtaz and the overwhelming response the film has received in theatres.

‘I’ve Been an Ardent Fan of Mirzapur’

Sonal revealed that one of the biggest reasons she accepted the role was her long-standing connection with the franchise as a viewer.

“When I was offered the role of Mumtaz in Mirzapur: The Movie, the one thing that I was very clear about was that I wanted to be a part of this world of Mirzapur. I have been watching Mirzapur over the years and I’ve been an ardent fan,” she said.

The actor also expressed her admiration for Excel Entertainment and its content, adding that she had wanted to collaborate with the production house.

“So I’ve been wanting to work with them and Mirzapur was this perfect opportunity to collaborate with Excel. So I’m glad it happened,” she added.

Sonal Chauhan Admits She Had ‘Doubts’ About Joining the Franchise

While she was excited about the opportunity, Sonal acknowledged that she was also apprehensive about entering a franchise whose original cast had already developed a strong connection with viewers.

“100% there were doubts,” she admitted.

According to Sonal, the established fan base of Mirzapur meant that introducing new characters came with additional pressure. The fact that the franchise was moving from OTT to theatres made the challenge even greater.

“The original cast has established a loyal fan base, a connection with the audience. So I didn’t know how the new additions will be received and especially this time it was coming on the big screen. So it was an added responsibility,” she said.

She added that she was unsure whether audiences would accept the new characters and cast members.

“So yes, I had the doubts. I had the fears. It was a bit daunting,” Sonal recalled.

Faith in Gurmeet Singh and Puneet Krishna Gave Her Confidence

What helped Sonal overcome those concerns was her faith in director Gurmeet Singh and writer Puneet Krishna.

Having followed Mirzapur over the years, Sonal said she had noticed how the creative team handled new characters and ensured they received meaningful space within the story.

“One thing that I always saw was that my director Gurmeet and writer Puneet Krishna, both of them, whenever they’ve introduced a new character, they have done full justice to it. They have given equal importance to each and every character,” she said.

For an actor joining an established universe, Sonal said that approach was particularly reassuring.

“I went in with that faith on both of them, on Gurmeet and Puneet ji and I’m so glad I did,” she said.

Describing her experience on the set, Sonal called it one of the best professional experiences of her life.

“I can safely say that this has been one of the best experiences of my life professionally, working on a movie set. The most positive people, the most fun people to work with,” she said.

Mumtaz Bibi Has Received More Love Than She Expected

Sonal also spoke about the response to Mumtaz Bibi, saying the affection she has received from viewers has gone well beyond her expectations.

“I’m just so happy with the kind of love that I’ve been receiving for Mumtaz Bibi,” she said.

The actor compared the response to the affection she received for Zoya in Jannat, describing Mumtaz as another role that has connected strongly with audiences.

“I can say that after Zoya from Jannat, this has been the second time that I’m receiving the kind of love that I’ve been receiving from the audience and it’s much, much, much more than I expected,” Sonal said.

Why Mumtaz Was a Challenge for Sonal Chauhan

Sonal was particularly attracted to Mumtaz because the character required her to step into an unfamiliar world.

She explained that much of her previous work had involved urban characters or environments that felt relatively familiar to her. Mirzapur, by contrast, presented a dusty, violent and somewhat rural setting that she had not explored before.

“What attracted me to Mumtaz Bibi was the challenge, whether I’ll be able to look like I belonged to that world,” she said.

The actor revealed that she had long hoped a filmmaker would see her potential for such a role.

“I always wanted to and I really, really wished since a long time that some filmmaker saw me as that and put his faith in me,” she said.

For Sonal, Mirzapur provided exactly that opportunity.

“I don’t think I could have gotten a better opportunity,” she added.

The role was also a personal challenge. Sonal wanted to demonstrate that she could convincingly inhabit a character far removed from the worlds she had previously portrayed.

“The biggest attraction for me was the challenge to myself and then to show it to the film industry and to everyone else that I can do this also with conviction,” she said.

Sonal Chose Softness for Mumtaz

One of the defining elements of Sonal’s performance was the softness she brought to Mumtaz despite placing the character within the brutal world of Mirzapur.

She acknowledged that maintaining that quality amid the franchise’s violence and intensity was difficult.

“It was a bit daunting because I portrayed Mumtaz with a certain softness. And here we are in the world of, you know, in a violent, fierce world of Mirzapur,” she said.

Rather than overthinking the contrast, Sonal said she trusted her instincts.

“I went with my gut and it has paid off,” she said.

The response from viewers has further reassured her about that creative choice. Sonal said many people have specifically mentioned Mumtaz’s softer personality in their messages to her.

“I’m glad that I went with that because it’s a contrast and it was a risk that I took,” she said.

Mumtaz and Babban’s Contrasting Relationship

Sonal believes the contrast also strengthens Mumtaz’s relationship with Babban Yadav, played by Ravi Kishan.

While Babban is presented as a ruthless gangster to the outside world, his behaviour changes around Mumtaz.

“How Babban is a ruthless gangster for everyone else. But with Mumtaz, he becomes soft. And I think that is something that has worked for the love story,” Sonal explained.

She added that audiences have particularly responded to this softer side of their relationship.

‘None of Us Expected This Kind of a Storm at the Box Office’

With Mirzapur: The Movie making a strong theatrical impact, Sonal admitted that the scale of the response surprised the team.

“Honestly, I don’t think any one of us expected this kind of a storm at the box office,” she said.

The uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s transition from streaming to theatres had initially made the team nervous.

“We were all nervous and we didn’t know how this transition from OTT to the big screen will be taken by the audience,” Sonal said.

However, she believes the audience response has ultimately been about more than box-office figures.

“The numbers are amazing, but the way the audience has received this film and the way they have received me as Mumtaz is just unbelievable and it’s just so beautiful,” she said.

For Sonal, the combination of commercial success and affection for individual characters has made the experience particularly rewarding.