Gullak 4 Review: A Heartwarming Yet Flawed Season

The fourth season of “Gullak” returns with another set of middle-class struggles, portraying the real-life nuances of an ordinary working-class family. In this “Gullak 4 Review,” it is evident from the outset that the show continues to draw from the nostalgia of its previous three seasons. However, this time, the Mishra family is moving away from nostalgia and stepping into contemporary problems. The five episodes, though endearing in parts, feel scattered and fail to follow a linear narrative.

Star Cast and Crew

• Cast: Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Harsh Mayar, Sunita Rajwar
• Creator: Shreyansh Pandey
• Director: Shreyansh Pandey
• Streaming On: Sony Liv
• Language: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bangla, and Marathi with English subtitles
• Runtime: 5 episodes of 30 minutes each

Gullak 4 Review: What’s It About?

“Dar aur tanaav aisa zeher hai jise thoda thoda lene se middle class ki immunity bahut badh gayi hai.” The fourth season explores the challenges of adulting versus parenting, a theme hinted at in the trailer. However, the essence of this theme only truly comes to the fore in the last episode, where major conversations take place in the final 20 minutes. The rest of the episodes rely heavily on the charming performances of the Mishra family to compensate for the scattered storyline.

Gullak 4 Review: Script Analysis

Shreyansh Pandey, who has been at the helm of the previous three seasons, takes over as director, writer, and creator for Gullak 4. Unfortunately, the new season doesn’t dive as deep into the emotional core that made the earlier seasons so compelling. While previous seasons made even the smallest victories feel like personal achievements, Gullak 4’s episodes revolve around mundane daily events that lack the same emotional weight. The series tries to connect with nostalgic elements but often falls short.

Gullak 4 Review: Star Performance

The cast, including Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar, deliver stellar performances as Santosh Mishra, Shanti Mishra, Annu Mishra, and Aman Mishra, respectively. Their familiarity with their characters shines through, and their performances are the highlight of an otherwise weak season. Sunita Rajwar as Bittu Ki Mummy is a standout, adding a refreshing break from the monotony of the episodes.

Gullak 4 Review: What Works

The relatable story of the Mishra family remains a strong point. There are moments that capture the essence of middle-class life, from buying curtains for an old wall to dealing with a chain-snatching incident. These elements keep the show grounded in reality and offer glimpses of the warmth that defined the previous seasons.

Gullak 4 Review: What Doesn’t Work

A major letdown in Gullak 4 is the absence of the narrator – the piggy bank (Gullak) – whose beautifully written dialogues were the heart of the show. This season, the narration feels lackluster, missing the charm that once made the episodes memorable. Additionally, the mundane storytelling makes the episodes feel disjointed, with the central theme of adulting only becoming apparent in the final episode.

Also read: Panchayat Season 3 Review

Gullak Season 4 leaves viewers with mixed feelings. It’s a show that has been loved for its authenticity and relatability, making the audience laugh and cry with the Mishra family. However, this season feels distanced, and despite the endearing performances, the warmth and emotional connection seem to be missing. While I still want to root for the Mishra family, the flaws in the storytelling are hard to ignore.

Gullak 4 Official Trailer

In conclusion, while “Gullak 4” has its moments, it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its predecessors. The series still has the charm of the Mishra family but needs to recapture the essence that made it a beloved show in the first place.