Anjum Batra is back with a powerful performance in Maamla Legal Hai 2, reprising his role as Lakhmir “Mintu.” In a candid chat, the actor opened up about the evolution of his character, his approach to acting, and what audiences can expect from the new season.
Anjum Batra on his character Mintu
Reflecting on the first season, Anjum shared, “In Season 1, the character of Mintu… was quite single-layered, according to me. There weren’t many dimensions to him; he was essentially Tyagi’s shadow, his yes-man.” He added, “Whatever Tyagi said or did, Mintu believed it was the best. He always stood by him and followed his lead.” Despite that simplicity, Mintu’s positivity stood out. “He was also someone who never spoke negatively… always positive, a high-spirited person… someone who stays happy no matter what.”
However, the new season brings significant changes. “But this season is different. The writers have added a lot more layers to Mintu,” Anjum revealed. With Mintu now stepping into a position of authority, “he was made the acting president of the Bar Association, and that brings in a sense of responsibility and competition.” He further teased, “There’s also a dynamic involving Sujata and the tussle within the chamber… whether it will be Balli Negi and Associates or Negi Balli and Associates. That competition starts even with the name.”
The actor also hinted at emotional shifts. “Along with that, there’s a new love-hate dynamic, which was not present in the previous season,” he said, adding, “So overall, Mintu has a lot more to do this time… I hope the audience enjoys it. The rest, I can’t reveal much, you’ll have to watch the show.”
On working with Ravi Kishan
Speaking about his craft, Anjum noted, “If you ask any actor what kind of roles excite them… we all enjoy playing different kinds of characters.” He explained, “Every person is unique; their mentality, body language, and expressions differ. That’s what makes acting so exciting.” Drawing from experience, he said, “I consider myself lucky because I’ve worked on shows like Crime Patrol, Bhanwar, Saavdhan India, and Code Red for almost 10 years.”
Despite the comic tone of the show, he emphasized growth. “In Season 1, Mintu was largely a comic character… but thankfully, there are more layers to the character, which made it even more enjoyable.” Addressing typecasting, he said, “If you play a character very well, you often get typecast. But thankfully, that hasn’t happened to me yet.”
Anjum also spoke about the challenge of playing Mintu. “Mintu is very different from who I am; I don’t have that comic energy in real life… that challenge makes it fun.” On the Tyagi-Mintu bond, he assured, “That love and friendship… will continue,” while teasing, “there is a twist… you’ll get to see it in one of the episodes.”
He concluded by sharing updates on a new film: “It’s a story set in the 1980s, based on India and Pakistan… speaking in the West Punjab dialect… was a challenge. But overall, it was a great experience.”