Gullak Season 5 Review: Geetanjali Kulkarni Heavy-Lifts An Otherwise Middling Outing

Gullak has returned with its fifth season nearly two years after the success of the fourth. Over the years, the series has built a devoted cult following through its simplicity, relatable characters, and authentic portrayal of everyday middle-class life. In this new season, the modestly living Mishra family of Mishra Niwas 534 confronts modernisation while striving to stay rooted in their values amid rapidly changing times.

The family receives a fresh coat of paint on their home, upgraded Wi-Fi, and attempts to adjust to a faster world outside. Annu (now played by Anantvijay Joshi) grapples with adult pressures, debating whether to tolerate and continue his toxic job or venture out on his own. Aman (Harsh Mayar) resorts to desperate measures

to earn money, landing in minor trouble. Patriarch Santosh (Jameel Khan) faces financial strain as he applies for a housing loan, hesitant to seek help from his elder son. Meanwhile, Shanti (Geetanjali Kulkarni) struggles with her fading sense of identity which is intensified by sharp remarks from Bittu Ki Mummy (Sunita Rajwar) after the initial success of her women’s empowerment group, Sakhi Shalini Mahila Mandal. At its core, the season continues to explore the central question of whether one can truly move forward without abandoning one’s roots.

The storytelling remains gentle and grounded, filled with everyday conflicts and warm family conversations that echo the charm of earlier seasons. While this familiarity offers comfort and nostalgia, it also limits the season’s progress. Despite promos suggesting significant updates and adaptation to modern life, most episodes unfold in the same slow, understated style, focusing on small-scale issues such as house painting, toothaches, and the mystery of fake paneer. These moments may, to a good extent, capture middle-class realities but they fall short of delivering the fresh evolution the marketing implied.

12th Fail fame Anantvijay Joshi steps into the role of Annu and delivers a solid performance, successfully conveying ambition, doubt, and sincerity. Geetanjali Kulkarni stands out as the season’s highlight, bringing quiet strength, emotional depth, and endearing vulnerability to Shanti. Her scenes navigating sly jabs from the ‘pseudo’ Bittu Ki Mummy feel particularly authentic and moving. Jameel Khan remains a steady presence as the principled yet pressured Santosh. Harsh Mayar’s Aman retains a somewhat childish energy that may feel dated for his age but it aligns with the show’s nostalgic tone. Supporting additions like Pinky Mama, played by Gopal Dutt, introduce manipulative, over-the-top energy that occasionally adds spice but often feels forced against the series’ inherently soft tone. Bittu Ki Mummy is portrayed as unnecessarily antagonistic, with many of her actions seeming forced to heighten Shanti’s arc. Other characters, such as Helly Shah’s Dr. Priti Singh, receive limited material to work with.

The biggest drawback is the ending, which wraps up too neatly and conveniently for a show celebrated for its honest, grounded approach. After a season spent on gradual, small-scale struggles, the rapid resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying.

Despite these shortcomings, Gullak Season 5 remains an easy and comforting watch. It stays true to its identity by avoiding loud drama or fleeting trends, offering the same warmth, strong performances, and simple charm that have always defined the series. Fans who cherished the earlier seasons for their relatability and nostalgia will find genuine joy here, even if the show does not evolve as boldly as it promises.