Though the writer and director have changed, as Jameel Khan in one of his interviews said, the essence of the show is still the same. But honestly, in the first two episodes, I did feel that the magic is slightly missing. As if the writer and director are trying hard to find the real essence but somehow they are still struggling. You know it’s like adding real kesar to food vs adding kesar essence to food. It’s not the same but it’s still the same. The duo, for me, found the nerve of the show somewhere in the third episode. But that’s my opinion. You might not feel the same.
If you have been watching Gullak from season 1, there is nothing new I can tell you about this season. Because even this time, the characters are busy living their regular lives – telling us stories that are born out of the ordinariness of the middle class families.
The only thing that is different in this season is Aman’s transition from a kid to an adult. His changing behaviour towards his family and his family’s efforts to bring him back to normal. But that is not what the entire series is all about. You will also see Annu Mishra still struggling to find his place in the society. While the parents, Shanti Mishra and Santosh Mishra look very much settled this time, the kids are on their own journeys. They are bringing back their shares of happiness and frustrations – and then settle down when they find their anchor back at home.
What I loved about Gullak 4 is the continuity in Shanti Mishra’s disappointment in an all men family. The way she doesn’t make breakfast for the family when all of them fail to buy veggies or in the chain-snatching episode where the men focus only on making the situation light, not focusing much on what the woman is going through. The missing sensibility and sensitivity that Shanti Mishra always finds in a stranger woman is so satisfying to watch – may it be Furtilee in season 3 or the lady police in season 4. The best part is that it is not about the battle of the gender but the difference between the basic characteristics of men and women.
Before I wrap up, there is one thing I want to highlight here. What makes series like Gullak stand out so prominently season after season? It’s attention to details. In the last episode, when Annu Mishra finally finds his brother, Aman, there are three chairs in a row on the bus stand. While Aman is seated in the rightmost chair, Annu skips one chair and sits on the leftmost. In this scene, Aman is tense as he has left home but at the same time, is upset and guilty of kind-of humiliating and insulting his father. On the other hand, Annu understands his situation and is relaxed that he found his brother – safe! Now, when Annu Mishra sits in that chair, placing a bottle of water on the middle chair, notice their body language. As Aman is leaning forward and is clearly lost in his own thoughts, Annu sits relaxed in his chair, stretching out. These fine details are what makes a film or a series stand out in the crowd. As an audience, this technicality might not make a big difference to us but psychologically, that is what makes us connect with these characters and fall in love with the show.
Since the season does not have many ups and downs, there is nothing much to write about it this time. All I can say is, watch Gullak 4 for a refreshing weekend. And if you are planning to just lay in your bed and enjoy the weather, how about ordering some food and binge-watching the entire season?
Have some ‘light-hearted’ fun!
P.S: As the season ends, we are left with a broken Gullak. Does that mean the series isn’t returning with a new season? Maybe!
