New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- When Mirzapur premiered on Amazon Prime in 2018, there was already a formidable precedent for its lawless north Indian hinterland and warring rival families. Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) had established a new cinematic language for the gangster rooted in the Hindi heartland-one that was also funny, violent, sprawling and contemporary.

In the years that followed, over three seasons, Mirzapur created its own vocabulary, its own characters, its own fandom and eventually its own subgenre. Kaleen Bhaiya, Guddu, Munna, Golu and Beena became instantly recognisable names. Fans followed these characters and their chaos, celebrating their wins and mourning their ends.

Now, after three seasons, Mirzapur is movin...