"Gullak Season 4 Review: Reuniting with the Mishra Family is as Refreshing as Roohafza on a Scorching Summer Day"

The return of 'Gullak' for its fourth season presents the delicate challenge of balancing the show’s endearing familiarity with the need to keep things fresh. For the first time, it feels like the show might be facing the threat of diminishing returns.

Don’t get me wrong. Reuniting with the beloved Mishra family — parents Santosh (Jameel Khan) and Shanti (Geetanjali Kulkarni), along with sons Annu (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) and Aman (Harsh Mayar) — is as refreshing as a tall glass of roohafza or khas on a scorching summer day. Their North Indian middle-class charm remains a cherished aspect of the series.

The magic of this TVF show, created and directed by Shreyansh Pandey, lies in its relatable storytelling. The Mishra family’s everyday joys and sorrows, or 'chotey-chotey khushi-aur-gham,' resonate deeply because they mirror our own lives or those of people we know. However, as viewers, we now crave a little more. The simplicity that has been the show's strength is still delightful, but introducing some complexity might just be the twist needed to keep pace with the changing times.

In its latest season, 'Gullak' explores a variety of engaging themes across its five 30-minute episodes. We delve into the murky world of giving and taking bribes, particularly around unauthorized additions to a humble home. The serious consequences of chain-snatching ('chhinaiti') unfold, impacting not just the victim but rippling through the entire family. The show also examines the delicate balance of being shrewd without compromising one's core values of 'sanskaar' (cultural ethos) and 'atma samaan' (self-respect).

We witness the trials of striving for upward mobility while grappling with a coarse and unrefined boss. Perhaps most compellingly, the series tackles the challenges of 'adulting' and parenting. Our ever-insightful narrator, the titular 'gullak' (piggy bank) voiced by Sunita Rajwar, even introduces the term 'adulting' to highlight the complexities faced by the family as they navigate these adult responsibilities.

Now that we’re well-acquainted with the lovable Mishra family and their favorite nosy neighbor, Bittu Ki Mummy (Rajwar, effortlessly embodying her sari-and-sweater-clad persona), the writers can focus more on storytelling without re-establishing characters and quirks. We understand that Santosh will squirm at the thought of slipping an envelope to a corrupt official, despite working at the town’s electricity board where such bribes are common. Shanti’s deep distress over losing her gold chain goes beyond its monetary value; it symbolizes her middle-class pride and security.

The boys, who have grown before our eyes since 'Gullak' first premiered in 2019, now face new challenges. Annu navigates his role as a medical representative while Aman deals with teenage angst, discovering girls, coffee shops, and the allure of "naughty" books. This progression hints at the show’s readiness to tackle more complex teenage issues, including the budding awareness of sexuality—a topic previously kept at bay to maintain the show’s reputation as clean family entertainment. The gentle foray into these areas suggests 'Gullak' is maturing, mirroring its characters' growth.