Episode 3 transports us to the past. It deals with the formation of crime-ridden Mirzapur that we know today.
Rati Shankar Shukla and Akhandanand were once friends who worked together for Akhanda's family. After a brave display of loyalty, Akhanda was named the King of Mirzapur and his son Munna, the next successor. Shukla's wafadari (loyalty) was rewarded when he was given the neighbouring town—Jaunpur.
But Shukla always felt like an outsider after that. He was humiliated, after all. His sacrifices were given less importance just because he was not born in the Tripathi bloodline.
Extremely dramatic backstory if you ask me. But somehow, very convincing. It establishes another underlying trait of the Tripathi's - they appreciate loyalty, but are not loyal themselves. They ask their well-wishers for everything, and when the time comes, they abandon those innocent people for their own gain.
Coming back to the present, Kaleen bhaiya tells Guddu and Bablu that they were hired so the Tripathi's could expand their gun business. Guddu and Bablu are given a "free hand." They can use "buddhi aur bal" (both brains and brawn) to get the result.
Kaleen bhaiya gives Guddu and Bablu all this power because he needs the money. And soon, it's all about retaining control. The Tripathi's need to fund politician JP Yadav's campaign, because he is the only person who will turn a blind eye towards the increasing criminal activities of Mirzapur. Quite an accurate depiction of modern politics!
After his meeting with JP Yadav,
Akhanda goes on to meet Lala, the rival from Jaunpur. They meet at a neutral location and each side brings a whole armed crowd with them to ensure things run smoothly.
That's the thing about power. The more you want it, the less you get. Two of the biggest names in all of Purvanchal, standing in a small roadside restaurant with a huge crowd backing them, but somehow they still feel unsafe.
After a successful meeting, both parties head separate ways. We find out that Lala's daughter is friends with Dimpy (Bablu and Guddu's sister). Of course she is. How else will the plot become all the more complicated?
Akhanda and his men stop at a remote location on their way home. The local women attack him and try to shoot him on the chest. Of course someone from Jaunpur planned this, but there is no way of proving it. Maqbool, Akhanda's most trusted employee risks his own life to save Akhanda. Everyone returns home wounded and angry.
Back at home, Munna is still pouting about all the power his father gave the newcomers. He is especially aggravated because Sweety rejected his advances and insulted him yet again.
Bina Tripathi (Rasika Dugal) gives Munna a pep talk and assures him that his father knows best. She is Munna's step-mother, but that doesn't stop her from playing flirtatious mind games with him.
Rasika Dugal's character is particularly fascinating because she is fierce and often acts on her impulse. That is not how small town women are often portrayed in the media. I am excited to say where the coming episodes will take us, and how these layered characters resolve their issues.