The hit Amazon Prime Video crime drama Mirzapur has achieved a major milestone, appearing nine times on IMDb’s annual list of the Top 10 Most Popular Indian Series since its premiere in 2018. According to IMDb’s “10 Years of Streaming in India” report (2016–2026), Mirzapur leads as the most persistent and popular Indian show on the chart, featuring every single year since its debut.
What Pankaj Tripathi Said
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who plays the iconic role of Akhandanand “Kaleen Bhaiya” Tripathi, believes the show’s massive appeal lies in its grounded, authentic storytelling that transcends regional boundaries:
“These are characters and conflicts that emerge from a recognisable Indian setting, yet their ambitions, relationships and struggles connect with audiences across geographies. When a story rooted in a specific place travels across the country and finds viewers around the world, it shows that authenticity has no borders.”
Crediting the entire crew for the success, Tripathi added that a character becomes iconic due to collective effort—including the writers, directors, and co-actors.
Co-Star Perspectives & Key Insights
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Ali Fazal (Guddu Pandit): Noted that while the series is known for heavy violence, its deep character development and relatable emotional conflicts allow the narrative to resonate universally.
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Cinematic Expansion: Following its web series dominance, the franchise expanded into cinemas with Mirzapur: The Movie, which achieved significant box office and critical success.
IMDb Streaming Report Highlights (2016–2026)
| Show Title | Total IMDb Top 10 Appearances | Key Record |
| Mirzapur | 9 | Charted every year since debut (2018–2026); topped list in 2024 |
| Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story | 5 | Most appearances for a single-season show |
| Panchayat, The Family Man | 4 each | Recurring top performers across multiple seasons |

