Here's how Mirzapur's Kaleen Bhaiya got his name

Pankaj Tripathi in a still from Mirzapur 2 poster. Image source: PR

The makers of the show Mirzapur recently revealed a very interesting backstory on how they named Akhandanand Tripathi as 'Kaleen Bhaiya' and how it almost got changed to 'Atechi' or 'Sandook' bhaiya.

In a recent interview, show creator Puneet Krishna shared, "During the '90s while growing up, there was this belt of UP johnpur, Mirzapur where a lot kaleen's were made. World's largest exporter of kaleen's. So when I wrote Mirzapur, I kept that in mind and named him Kaleen bhaiya Coz we had in mind that he would smuggle the drugs under the carpets. And there's a certain power to this term Kaleen bhaiya."

He further adds, "So when we went for the recee, for location hunt, we figured that many carpet factories have shut, we hardly found one, so suggestions started pouring in that instead of Kaleen we can have suitcase or something resembling. But my argument was that 'Atechi bhaiya' wouldn't sound right so somehow we retained Kaleen bhaiya."

Being one of the most awaited web series, Mirzapur 2 comes with a promise of all the way more intense and emotional drama and double the level of action.

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani under their production house Excel Entertainment, 'Mirzapur 2' releases on Amazon Prime Video on October 23.

Also Read: Exclusive! Pankaj Tripathi: 50-60 People Used To Ask Me About Mirzapur 2 Daily

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news