Gullak - 2019

Introduction

Gullak is an Indian Hindi-language web series created by The Viral Fever (TVF) and directed by Amrit Raj Gupta and Palash Vaswani. It is a family drama about a middle-class family living in a small town in India and their everyday struggles and moments of joy. The series features actors Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar in leading roles. The show has been praised for its realistic portrayal of a middle-class Indian family and has received critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and direction.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Story

• Release

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Predictions

• Seasons and Synopsis

• Behind The Scenes

• Controversy

• Ratings and Reviews

• Awards

• Conclusion

Details

Story

PlayGullak revolves around the Mishra family, consisting of father Santosh, who works in the local electricity department, mother Shanti, a homemaker, and their two sons, Annu and Aman. The show is set in a small town in North India and explores the everyday lives of the Mishras, focusing on the family's financial struggles.

Each series episode revolves around a particular incident or event in the Mishras' lives, such as a visit from a distant relative, a school admission interview, or a neighbourhood talent show.

Despite the Mishras' financial difficulties, the show is full of warmth and humour, emphasising the family's relationships with each other and their community. The characters are relatable and endearing, with each family member facing their own challenges and growing as individuals throughout the series.

Gullak is a heartwarming and authentic portrayal of middle-class life, highlighting the importance of family, community, and perseverance in facing financial difficulties.

Release

Gullak was created by The Viral Fever (TVF) and directed by Amrit Raj Gupta and Palash Vaswani. The show was first released on TVFPlay and SonyLIV on 27 June 2019 and had three seasons with a total of 15 episodes. The first season consisted of five episodes and was released on 27 June 2019, while the second was released on 15 January 2021. The third and most recent season, with another five episodes, was released on 7 April 2022. Each season was entirely released on the same day, with all episodes available to watch anytime on SonyLIV.

Cast

Crew

Director - Amrit Raj Gupta (Season 1), Palash Vaswani (Season 2, Season 3)

Creative Producer - Shreyansh Pandey

Cinematographer - Shree Namjoshi (Season 1), Anand Bansal (Season 2), Shiv Parkash (Season 3)

Singer - Jaspreet Jazim Sharma (Season 1)

Lyricist - Durgesh Singh

Composer - Anurag Saikia

Editor - Amit Kulkarni (Season 1), Gourav Gopal Jha (Season 2, 3)

Written By - Durgesh Singh

Costume Designer - Smiti

Casting Director - Anmol Ahuja, Abhishek Banerjee

Character Analysis

• Santosh Mishra (played by Jameel Khan) - Santosh Mishra is an employee in the electricity department and lives with his wife, Shanti Mishra, and their two sons, Annu and Aman, in a small town in India. He is a simple man who values his family but is also known for his witty and sarcastic sense of humour. However, he is also a bit miser, always looking for ways to save money and get the best deal possible. Despite his frugal nature, Santosh Mishra is very generous with his family. He is also very fond of his wife and children and spends time with them.

• Shanti Mishra (played by Geetanjali Kulkarni) - Shanti Mishra is Santosh Mishra's wife and is a homemaker. She is a practical and no-nonsense woman who believes in taking care of her family and running the household efficiently.

• Annu Mishra (played by Vaibhav Raj Gupta) - Annu Mishra is the eldest son of Santosh and Shanti. He is a young man struggling to find employment and is under pressure from his family to find a job and support them financially. Alongside his job search, he is preparing for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam and is optimistic and determined to find a suitable job soon.

• Aman Mishra (played by Harsh Mayar) - Aman Mishra is the younger son of Santosh and Shanti. He is a mischievous and carefree teenager who often gets into trouble.

Predictions

The 4th season of Gullak is expected to release in 2023. However, there has yet to be any official announcement. The cast in the upcoming season will likely be the same as the previous ones.

Seasons and Synopsis

Behind the Scenes

• Gullak is shot in a realistic, documentary-style format with a minimalistic sound design. During the first season's production, the cast and crew faced challenges such as a limited budget and staying in the same house where they were shooting.

• Actors also shared that the house used for the show had become an important symbol for them, and its dismantling after the second season was an emotional moment.

Controversy

There are no significant controversies associated with the Gullak series. However, there have been some critical reviews regarding the show's third season, with some viewers noting that it is more dramatic and darker than previous seasons.

Ratings and Reviews

Gullak is a critically acclaimed Indian web series with a strong 9.1 rating on IMDb. The show explores the everyday struggles and joys of a middle-class family in small-town India with humour, heart, and authenticity.

Awards

Gullak has been widely praised for its realistic and relatable portrayal of middle-class life in India. It has also been well-received by audiences and critics alike, with the show receiving positive reviews for its performances, writing, and direction.

Interesting Facts

• The show's title, Gullak, means piggy bank in Hindi and refers to the family's struggle to save money in a small town.

• The show is shot in a single-camera setup, with the camera operator following the actors as they perform their scenes.

• The show's cast, including Jameel Khan and Geetanjali Kulkarni, are known for their work in independent cinema and theatre.

• The show's music is composed by Anurag Saikia, known for his work in Bollywood films such as Karwaan and Mulk.

• The series is set in a small town in North India and features local dialects and slang, giving the show an authentic feel.

Conclusion

Gullak is a heartwarming and authentic portrayal of middle-class life in a small town in India, emphasising the importance of family, community, and perseverance in facing financial difficulties. The show revolves around the Mishra family, and each episode depicts a particular incident or event in their lives, highlighting the family's relationships with each other and their community. Gullak is praised for its realistic portrayal of a middle-class Indian family and has received critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and direction.