24 August,2026 06:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anangsha Biswas. Pic via Instagram
Anangsha Biswas, who won attention for her portrayal of Zarina in the popular series Mirzapur, is set to reprise the character in Mirzapur: The Movie. While the actor's grey character became a talking point for her confidence and use of charm in the show's cut-throat political world, the attention did not always remain limited to her performance. Anangsha has now recalled the disturbing messages and comments she received after the first season aired.
Speaking to Hindi Rush, Anangsha said she was deeply affected by the reaction to her character, particularly because it was a new experience for her. "After Season 1, I was very disturbed because it was all very new to me. There were comments, strange emails and people commenting on my social media, with the same kind of words being used everywhere. I was a little shaken," she said.
The actor said what troubled her most was the assumption that the woman she portrayed on screen reflected who she was in real life. Anangsha explained that she considered acting her "Saraswati" and had approached the role with complete dedication, making the unsolicited messages all the more upsetting.
Recalling some of the messages, she said people would ask, "How much would you charge for one night? Come with us to Mauritius for two days, for a weekend."
The actor stressed that playing a bold or sexually confident character does not give audiences the right to cross personal boundaries. Her experience also highlights the familiar problem of viewers blurring the line between performers and the fictional characters they portray.
For Anangsha, Zarina may be comfortable using her sexuality as a weapon within the world of Mirzapur, but that does not mean the actor playing her should be treated in the same way off-screen.
Anangsha's return comes as the Mirzapur franchise makes the jump from streaming to theatres with Mirzapur: The Movie. The film brings back several familiar faces from the series, including Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya, Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit, Divyenndu as Munna Bhaiya and Rasika Dugal.
The film will continue the story of the franchise while expanding its world onto the big screen. Jitendra Kumar will also take over the role of Bablu Pandit, originally played by Vikrant Massey in the series.
At the trailer launch, co-producer Farhan Akhtar credited the show's loyal audience for pushing the franchise towards a theatrical outing. "The show is a result of fans' love. They have supported the show from the time it was first released," he said, adding that fans repeatedly asked, "When is Mirzapur coming?"
As Zarina returns to the chaotic world of Mirzapur, Anangsha's experience is a reminder that portraying a provocative character on screen should never be mistaken for an invitation to invade the actor's personal space.
