The ‘wow’ thing about OTT is you can revisit a film or series or promptly catch up with them because ‘netizen’ friends incredulously ask – ‘Don’t tell us to haven’t seen it yet’ ? We then proceed to discover a real gem a bit lost in a maze of viewing content. Basing on reliable reports, Tandra has been vociferously rooting for web-series called ‘Gullak’ on ‘Sonyliv’ which has completed 3 Seasons & into it’s 4th ! ‘Gullak’ has since entered our sitting room & we’ve fallen for it nearly every evening !
It’s about the happy and sad, nonsensical and ironical side of life and times of a ‘middle’ middle class family of four (and distinct from the lower & upper, many types of middle tiers now exist in society !). Each episode is a slice of life event or incident encapsulated into 30 mts time of a roller coaster trip- emotions, egos, struggles, tussles through their endless barbs and banter & moments of small joys that bind an Indian family like glue.
Many films in the past have dealt with time-tested middle-class syndrome where moral values and family traditions come in conflict with aspirations of the gen-next and peer pressure from neighbours and close relatives ! ‘RK Laxman’s’ genre of the middle class has his daily struggles faced with dry humour and a tenacious will to regroup for better times. ‘Gullak’ has relatable characters who make you laugh & tug at your heart-strings.
In one episode, the flamboyant Annu, family’s elder son, fails to qualify the SSC exams and is crestfallen, unable to face his parents who desperately want him to succeed. To his surprise he finds his parents taking it in their stride and asking him not to lose heart, as failures are also part of life. I recall being heart-broken when in 1971, I had missed the 1st Div in BSc by a few marks. Dad gently consoled saying you can’t keep a good person down. I bounced back in MA Eco and secured a Univ ranking. But that’s another story.
Possibly most heartening thing about ‘Gullak’ is the complete absence of stars and the emergence of four brilliant actors. Of these, Jameel Khan who superbly plays the genial, sporting ‘Mishra Family’ figure head is a known face but only figuring in negative roles. The doughty matriarch Shanti is played by Geetanjali Kulkarni to perfection, as she tries to keep the ‘man-power’ (husband and two sons) in check and always succeeds there.
But the real scene stealers are the two sons, Annu and Aman, portrayed with effortless conviction by Vaibhav Raj Gupta and Harsh Mayar. The sibling rivalry yet their untold bonding, the elder brother exercising domination and the younger one rebelling look so true, if you’ve brought up two sons of your own ! Their fights appear stupid yet so nostalgic ! This and the simplicity of narrating the middle class highs & lows, is pure ’Soul Curry’ !
Working on Living 