Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta and Harsh Mayar-led Gullak 4 is here, and it has made every fan happy. This season, we get to see a lot of fresh elements/perspectives. At the same time, there are two moments from the previous seasons that make a comeback, and for a good reason. It takes you right back and hits you in the sweet spot, just as the fresh plotline sweeps you off your feet. Here’s analysing all the high moments on the show, old and new…

PS: Major spoilers ahead

Sweet ‘Disappointment’ just as the show progresses

Remember where it all began? With ‘Annu’ Vaibhav Raj Gupta feeling hungry and his mother Geetanjali ‘Shanti Mishra’ Kulkarni fed him rice with potatoes, which is a dish called Tehri. Just as Annu describes the dish, Shanti reminds everyone that it is called Tehri, and that is when Annu calls it ‘disappointment.’ That built the show and told you about how in a middle-class Indian family, the mother is supreme. Thus, even if she makes ‘disappointment,’ you choose to eat it even then.

The same comes back this season, with Annu and the whole Mishra family stating that they will eat the ‘disappointment.’ Just as the parents get into an argument, Annu states, “Mummy, cook some madness… uh… disappointment in the pressure cooker.” That is when Shanti again corrects him and says it is called Tehri, leading to Annu agreeing it is Tehri.

Water shortage

Back when the makers were building the story of Gullak, they introduced us to Shanti Mishra’s life, and how she was the one who had to wake up at 8 am on a Sunday morning because her husband Santosh Mishra forgot to turn off his alarm(s). Soon after waking up, they have to fill the water tanker because the water supply will stop after some time, and be restored only in the evening. While Shanti does, the tanker stops working. Later in the day, after waking up, Santosh Mishra ends up taking on the task of plumbing (like most Indian fathers), but ends up having to hand it to a real plumber (again, like most Indian fathers).

This time, the water was cut out of the blue. On noticing so, Shanti demanded that they bring every vessel in the house to fill them up with water. Alas, she was too late and there was very little water left. This is one of the fun episodes, which sees a drastic change.

Santosh Mishra, the middle-class man defending his family property

Gullak 4 commences with the Mishra parivaar getting an eviction notice even when their papers are in place. Santosh Mishra has promised his wife that if it comes to his family, his third eye will open (with reference to Lord Shiva opening his third eye before doing taandav as a sign to destroy). Towards the end of the first episode, Santosh Mishra shows how a true Indian middle-class family is built – that they will tolerate till it comes to their family members in danger. He refuses to be threatened and takes control of the situation beautifully.

Shanti Mishra, a woman unable to lead her life like a woman

A woman is known by what she feels. Often, their voices are curbed. Although Shanti Mishra is someone who screams all the time at her family because the men are too unserious and do not show her the respect she deserves (read taken for granted), her voice does not reach where it should quite often. This is because her needs are dismissed inside and outside the house. The biggest example is in the second episode of Gullak 4, where Shanti loses her respect when she feels happy. This might have been overlooked had Annu not stepped up and stated the obvious.

Shanti, like many women, especially Indian women, wanted to feel good about herself. Often staying least dressed owing to rising crimes, the one day she chose to flaunt her golden necklace, is the day it gets stolen. After having prayed on an auspicious day, walking back home while waving to an innocent child standing at the balcony, Shanti is knocked unconscious. Two men on a bike not only steal her golden chain but also touch her without her consent. The episode ends with her convincing herself that it is a good situation because she was at least left alive.

Aman Mishra, adulting but not walking on the stray path

Shanti being herself, she keeps on irking Santosh. Pressurized by her and of course, the gossip queen Bittu Ki Mummy, Santosh loses his calm in a moment when Aman was just leading his life the way he has (having fun with his father). Another external factor comes to the Mishra house and gossips to Shanti about spotting Aman with two women (in reality, he was with his friend Suryaprakash Narayan who wanted to go on a date with his alleged girlfriend, but the girl brought her own girlfriend to the ‘date’). Given that and how he tried to save his own mother Shanti Mishra’s respect by not letting her book Those Raunchy Nights get into the wrong hands, Aman was grossly misunderstood by Santosh. On realizing what actually transpired, Shanti is left heartbroken but has to stay strong for her husband and son. The scene, honestly, is one of the best ways to describe how tricky both adulting and parenting in the phase really is.

Annu’s transformation from a frustrated youngster to an understanding brother

Anand Mishra aka Annu might not be able to crack SSC but he sure took on most responsibilities of the house. Seeing his parents and his own self struggle while his younger brother decided not to take life too seriously (also because he’s literally just a teenager), Annu could not help but be angry. He paid his father’s hospital bills when Santosh was suspended, and this time, Annu applied for a new job. He is a salesman. Being a salesman, as one might already know, is a highly stressful job. The con is, obviously, that you do not get the sales all the time. However, the pressure is on. Legal and illegal tricks afterward, Annu manages his first big sale, despite the major hurdles in his way, mainly from the fact that the client reads through his company’s motto. A frustrated boss poured his wrath on the new employee. Annu, however, is built differently. Knowing his capability very well, he decided it was time for payback. And once he did that, Annu got praised in return by the man he could not stand. Not just on the professional front, Annu also grew fourfold on the personal front. Once objecting to the lifestyle his little brother leads, Annu comes in full support of Aman. He praises Aman’s love letter even to the parents and Annu just lets Aman be, which helps the younger brother understand what he really wants in life.

Gullak 4 is now streaming on SonyLIV and OTTplay Premium.

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