Gullak Review

'Gullak' is about a family staying in the North of India, the Mishra family comprising of the husband, Santosh Mishra, wife, Shanti Mishra, and their two sons. The elder son, Annu is a civil engineer and trying for a Government job, while the younger son, Aman is still studying. The father works with the electricity department and the wife is a home-maker – creating a blueprint for the middle-class families of India. The ongoing in the miniseries is what can be termed as the everyday life of a family in India. That’s a refresher from any of the big ticket, big scenario webseries that we are looking at today. The performances by everyone in the cast is so painfully real that the audience wants to go ahead and give them a hug. It’s difficult to point out who does a better job or which character is more important.

'Gullak' succeeds in many departments, but probably the best thing about it is its self-containment. The writing is precise and meaningful, so much so that the the end product is utterly believable, genuinely funny, and amazingly refreshing. Fortunately, the show's crisp writing and intelligent direction are supported by some brilliantly self-aware and downright delightful performances of the lead actors. Geetanjali Kulkarni, in her rendition of a subjugating yet caring mother/wife, hits the bull's eye, while Jameel Khan, playing a calmer, more sensible husband to her, is fairly convincing. Vaibhav Raj Gupta and Harsh Mayar, as junior Mishras, are also equally enjoyable.

The series is a nod to the unsophisticated middle-class lifestyle and artless ethos of a stratum that forms the bulk of society. It is a nod to the life of people like you and me – mediocre, but elevated to magical by the unconditional love of family; people who collect memories, not riches, in the piggy bank of life.

Splendid stuff this! Go watch it now.