From Punchnama's Liquid To Mirzapur's Munna Bhaiyya, Divyenndu Believes In Playing High Stakes

Even Divyenndu Sharma never imaged that his character Munna Bhaiya would become such a rage. He is super glad that he signed Mirzapur and is reaping the benefits of his career's best phase.

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Indiatimes got candid with Divyenndu and spoke to him about the rage around Munna Bhaiya and his journey in the film industry.

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To begin with when asked how is he celebrating this phase of his career, he very honestly replied, ¡°I¡¯m just enjoying it by not questioning anything, by not over thinking about anything. I have worked hard to see this day. I have done all the hard work, so this is the time to just sit back, relax and enjoy the view.¡±

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The kind of rage Mirzapur has, is unbelievable, it¡¯s almost like Sholay.

When asked if he had a hint that Mirzapur would become so big, the actor replied, ¡°I definitely knew one thing that this is something solid. When I read it, I knew this would ring a bell with the audience for sure because of the writing, the platform, the production house, everything was in good sense. I had a fair bit idea that it would be solid, but this massive a hit? NOPE, never thought about it.".

At the risk of sounding arrogant, Divyenndu compared Mirzapur to be as big as Sholay "The kind of rage Mirzapur has is unbelievable, almost like Sholay - it¡¯s that big, people are that crazy about it, across all genders, age-groups and states - it¡¯s just amazing and overwhelming.¡±

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I know that people will not carry guns and do crazy stuff or anything. I think they just want to celebrate the spirit of Munna Tripathi.

When asked to comment on how most of his fans want to become Munna Tripathi as they are influenced by him, does he take it as compliment or criticism, he explained,

"I think it¡¯s a compliment because I believe that people are sensible- for them Munna Tripathi is someone who¡¯s wearing a kurta, dark glasses and driving a jeep. I know that people will not carry guns and do crazy stuff or anything. I think they just want to celebrate the spirit of Munna Tripathi. Because A) he is a dark character and B) he is also very vulnerable because when Munna cries, you also feel that emotional chord connected with Munna.

In the first season this dialogue got pretty famous - Bahut dhukh hota hai jab aap yogya ho, aur log aapki yogyata ko na samjhe. I think that¡¯s the thing , lots of Indians relate with it, we feel we are capable of something but we don¡¯t get a chance."

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"Also, in the second season when you see him as a loving and caring husband, you see Munna Tripathi as more human and that¡¯s what makes his character very complete. See at the end of the day we all have grey shades in us, so people are attracted with both the sides of Munna,¡± he concluded.

Saying no to big films and big money is never ever easy. My struggle actually started after I became successful.

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When Divyenndu said no to Punchnama sequel, many thought he took a wrong decision, but he found a much bigger hit in Mirzapur, when asked about this, he said, ¡°Punchnama 1 became such a cult film; I obviously knew that 2 would become an even bigger hit. I have always said that I knew Punchnama 2 would be a huge hit and that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t do it. The only thing was I didn¡¯t want to get slotted in that cute boy next-door image, who just does hunky-dory films. Because I knew as an actor I could offer much more and I always say this- It¡¯s my tapasya as an artist that I finally got Munna. You would agree with me that saying no to big films and big money is never ever easy. So my struggle actually started after I became successful. ¡°

From where he got the courage to say no to films since he has no background in the industry? He said, ¡°More than me, I had faith in my training. I have trained in theatre, I went to film school, I studied films there, and deep down inside I had that faith in me. Also I am very honest guy, I don¡¯t over promise myself for anything. I see myself very clearly in the mirror of what I am capable of. You can only have this kind of confidence when your training is proper.¡±

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I seriously want that kind of culture to come in our film industry where decisions are based on artistic value

Divyenndu's new crime thriller Bichoo Ka Khel released recently. No points for guessing but the audiences expect even more from him now as Munna became a rage, to which he said, ¡°I don¡¯t think like this at all. I don¡¯t over think about things. If I am convinced with the story and the character, I jump in a project. Similarly like I did Pyaar Ka Punchama, then I did Chashme Buddhor, but at the same time when I got a film like Toilet- Ek Prem Katha, I was okay to play Akshay Kumar¡¯s brother because I liked the project. I seriously want that kind of culture to come in our film industry where decisions are based on artistic value rather than such calculations - that I have become this brand, now I have to become even bigger, how to consolidate my position, all these things corrupt you as an artist , so you have to be as innocent as possible, don¡¯t corrupt yourself ever.¡±

Bicchoo Ka Khel is now streaming on Alt Balaji and Zee5.