Actor Divyenndu will not return as Munna Bhaiya in the third season of Prime Video’s hit crime-drama series Mirzapur, he said in a recent interview with Mumbai-based storytelling platform Humans of Bombay.

“I am not part of Season 3 guys. I know it's a heartbreak. I love those conspiracy theories, they were legit. But on Humans of Bombay I shall declare that I am not part of Mirzapur Season 3,” the Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor said.

“When I was in character, it was affecting my personality a lot. At times, it used to get really dark for me. I felt suffocated. It's so tricky that you don't even realise that you are in that zone. It's only when you come out of it do you realise how dark it was,” he further said.

Mirzapur made its debut in 2018, captivating audiences with its gritty narrative and gory action. Divyendu portrayed the character of Munna aka Phoolchand Tripathi, the son of gangster Akhandanand Tripathi alias Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi) in the series. Munna clashes with Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal), who seeks revenge for the deaths of his wife and younger brother, portrayed by Shriya Pilgaonkar and Vikrant Massey, respectively.

The second season, which followed in October 2020, ended with the death of Divyenndu’s character Munna. However, fans had hoped for Divyendu's return in the third season.

The anticipation for the third instalment heightened when the first look of Mirzapur 3 was unveiled at a grand event on March 19, attended by cast members including Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Shweta Tripathi.

Divyendu, who made his Bollywood debut with Aaaja Nachle (2007), was last seen in Kunal Kemmu’s comedy caper Madgaon Express, which released in theatres in March.