What Is the Story About?
Gullak’s season three once again brings back the middle-class tales centred on the Mishra Family. What are the new challenges they fave, and how the family overcomes them? What are the joys they share is the primary narrative.
Performances?
By now, the four primary characters essaying the critical roles in the Mishra family look one, really. Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar are just living the parts as a family.
Each part has visible character growth, mainly the father (Jameel Khan) and son (Vaibhav Raj Gupta). The latter especially get more focus as he starts to share the responsibilities with his father. A few moments, as usual, are heart touching involving the family, and they all do it naturally. The ending episode, in particular, shines when it comes to the drama. Vaibhav is terrific, and the rest pitch in with neat emotions without going overboard.
Once again, more than the individual, everyone shines as a group, but one can’t help but feel if Geetanjali Kulkarni and Harsh Mayar were a bit left behind. We get this feeling more with Harsh as Geetanjali has some beautiful moments in one episode.
Analysis
Palash Vaswani directs the third season of Gullak, created by Shreyansh Pandey. As is with the second season, one can watch the series from the third season itself and go with the flow.
The narrative moves like new chapters getting unfolded from the Mishra family. One only needs to understand the basic relationship, and that’s it; they can continue watching the series without bothering about the past. They only come about intermittently but aren’t serious enough to disturb the current viewing.
Coming to the new season, it is a little less dark compared to the second one until the finale. The first four episodes take us back to season one, where it represented bitter-sweet middle-class life in typical The Viral Fever (TVF) style. We get back to that balance here.
Every episode has that one block that touches the emotional chords. Sometimes they are predictable, and sometimes they aren’t, but in either case, they work out. The writing and the performances make the whole thing look smooth.
The narrative takes a dark turn towards the end. The whole suspension, followed by the office portions and then the inevitable happening after all the build-up is neatly done. However, everything is wrapped up in a very cinematic style. It leads to a mixed bag kind of feeling. Those who don’t mind it might find Gullak Season 3 good; others might be underwhelmed.
Overall, Gullak Season 3 maintains the charm and compelling drama of the previous two seasons. The fabulous casting and writing hold things together, overcoming the predictability. If you like slice of life dramas, give Gullak Season 3 a try.
Other Artists?
There are very few other actors this time around. Sunita Rajwar reprises her role to great effect again. Unlike the previous season, she is used sporadically here, which is for the good of everyone involved. Shivankit Singh Parihar’s voice-over narrative continues to be brilliant. The rest of the cast is alright despite small parts.
Music and Other Departments?
Anurag Saikia, who is fast gaining a good reputation for work in web series, has done a commendable job again. The small cues leading to happiness or melancholy are superbly handled. The few songs are placed neatly and work in giving breathing space to the narrative. Shiv Parkash’s cinematography is good. The small-town vibe is wonderfully captured, similar to the previous seasons. Gourav Gopal Jhan’s editing is neat. The pacing is slow but consistently engaging throughout.
Highlights?
Casting
Writing
Relatable Middle-Class Emotions
Drawbacks?
Predictability In Parts
Uneven Tone At Times
Cinematic Closure
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Gullak Season 3 Review by Binged Bureau