: The film features career-defining roles for its cast. Manoj Bajpayee delivers a legendary performance as the vengeful Sardar Khan, while Nawazuddin Siddiqui 's transformation into the brooding drug-addicted Faizal Khan is widely cited as a highlight. It also served as a launchpad for actors like Pankaj Tripathi (Sultan) and Richa Chadha (Nagma Khatoon).
The scope and detail are unparalleled and makes the audience feel like they are really living in these time periods. The balancing act of so many characters is achieved deftly.
: Rated A (Adults Only) for extreme violence, strong language (slang), and mature themes; definitely not for family viewing.
: Kashyap’s direction is often compared to western greats like Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese for its stylized violence and complex character arcs. The film avoids "extra-heroic" entries, focusing instead on the dirty, unglamorous mechanics of small-town gang wars.
: The film excels in its attention to detail, using authentic local dialects, period-specific movie posters, and subtle cultural nuances—such as the specific use of certain utensils—to immerse viewers in the UP-Bihar belt.
Some viewers find the violence and lengthy runtime challenging. IMDb Rating : 8.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 89% Length : Approximately 320 minutes (total for both parts)
: Sneha Khanwalkar’s experimental score blends folk, funk, and local chutney music to perfectly capture the film's anarchic tone. Critical Perspectives