Gullak Season 5 Review: The Mishras Return, But The Gullak Feels Missing
Cast: Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Harsh Mayar, Anant V Joshi, Sunita Rajwar, Shivankit Singh Parihar
Creators: Shreyansh Pandey
Directors: Abhay Raut, Shreyansh Pandey
Streaming On: Sony LIV
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 7 Episodes (Approximately 30 Minutes Each)
Gullak Season 5 Review: A Franchise Struggling To Hold On To Its Magic
Few Indian web series have connected with audiences as deeply as Gullak.
When it first arrived, it wasn’t just another family drama. It felt like a reflection of everyday middle-class life. The Mishras weren’t fictional characters living in a distant world; they felt like neighbors, relatives, or even members of our own families.
For many viewers, Gullak became more than a show. It became a collection of familiar memories wrapped in warmth, humor, and nostalgia.
Season 5 brings the Mishra family back once again, but this time something feels different.
The familiar faces remain. The family dynamics remain. The warmth is still present in parts. Yet the emotional connection that once made Gullak special feels noticeably weaker.
Instead of feeling like a natural continuation, the new season often feels like a franchise trying hard to keep itself alive.
Gullak Season 5 Review: Story
Life continues at the Mishra household.
Santosh Mishra is still dealing with financial pressures and daily struggles. Shanti Mishra remains the emotional center of the family, balancing responsibilities and relationships. Aman is moving toward adulthood, while Anand faces new personal and professional challenges.
This season revolves around multiple storylines, including family property issues, home loans, career decisions, housing aspirations, and changing relationships.
There are also fresh additions to the narrative, including Anand’s romantic track and larger subplots involving neighborhood characters.
While each storyline has moments of charm, the season spends so much time juggling multiple arcs that it loses sight of what once made Gullak unique: the beauty of ordinary moments.
Gullak Season 5 Review: What Works
The Familiar Comfort Of The Mishra Family
Even after several seasons, spending time with the Mishras still feels comforting.
The series continues to capture small middle-class concerns with authenticity. The conversations around money, family expectations, home ownership, and personal growth remain relatable.
There are several scenes that successfully recreate the warmth longtime fans expect from the franchise.
The Humor Still Lands
The signature narration and observational humor continue to generate smiles.
The show remains capable of finding comedy in everyday situations, which has always been one of its biggest strengths.
While the emotional impact may not be as strong as before, the writing still delivers occasional moments of nostalgia and charm.
Gullak Season 5 Review: Performances
Jameel Khan Remains Outstanding
As Santosh Mishra, Jameel Khan once again proves why he is the heart of this franchise.
His performance feels effortless and genuine. Whether dealing with financial stress, parental responsibilities, or everyday frustrations, he brings authenticity to every scene.
Few actors portray middle-class fathers as naturally as he does.
Geetanjali Kulkarni Continues To Shine
Geetanjali Kulkarni remains the emotional backbone of the show.
Her portrayal of Shanti Mishra is layered, warm, and deeply recognizable. She brings dignity and emotional depth to even the simplest scenes.
Sunita Rajwar Steals Scenes Yet Again
Sunita Rajwar’s beloved neighborhood character continues to be one of the show’s highlights.
This season gives her a larger role and a more substantial storyline. While she remains entertaining throughout, some viewers may feel her subplot occupies more space than necessary.
The Replacement Of Anand Is Difficult To Ignore
One of the season’s biggest challenges is replacing the original actor who played Anand.
Anant V Joshi delivers a sincere performance and does his best with the role. However, the chemistry established in previous seasons is difficult to replicate, and the transition feels noticeable throughout the season.
Gullak Season 5 Review: What Doesn’t Work
The Show Has Lost Its Core Metaphor
The biggest issue with Season 5 is not poor writing or weak performances.
It is the gradual disappearance of the Gullak itself.
In earlier seasons, the piggy bank represented more than a title. It symbolized small savings, accumulated memories, everyday sacrifices, and emotional investments.
The narration tied everything together beautifully.
This season, that metaphor feels secondary. The voiceover exists, but it no longer carries the emotional weight it once did.
Too Many Side Stories
The show increasingly shifts focus toward extended subplots, romances, and supporting characters.
While some of these stories are interesting individually, they often distract from the central family dynamic that originally made the series special.
The result is a season that feels crowded and occasionally unfocused.
Repetition Becomes A Problem
The series continues exploring middle-class struggles, but much of the material feels familiar.
The earlier seasons handled similar themes with greater emotional depth and freshness. Season 5 often revisits ideas the show has already explored more effectively in the past.
Gullak Season 5 Review: Direction And Writing
The creators clearly understand why audiences love the Mishras.
The problem is that the writing increasingly relies on recreating old emotions rather than discovering new ones.
Several episodes feel stretched, and the emotional conflicts lack the impact of earlier seasons.
The storytelling remains pleasant, but it rarely reaches the emotional highs that once defined the franchise.
What was once a deeply personal slice-of-life drama now feels closer to a conventional family series.
Gullak Season 5 Review: Final Verdict
Gullak Season 5 is not a bad season.
In fact, many family dramas would envy the warmth, performances, and relatability it still offers.
The real issue is that Gullak set an exceptionally high standard for itself.
The early seasons captured the emotional reality of middle-class India with remarkable honesty. They felt personal, intimate, and deeply authentic.
Season 5 still has the Mishras. It still has warmth. It still has moments that make you smile.
But it no longer feels like a collection of precious memories slowly dropping into a piggy bank.
Instead, it feels like a good family drama searching for the magic that once made it extraordinary.
Longtime fans will likely enjoy revisiting the Mishra household, but they may also find themselves missing the simplicity and emotional richness that made Gullak special in the first place.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Gullak Season 5 worth watching?
Yes, especially for longtime fans of the series. While it may not reach the emotional heights of earlier seasons, it still offers warmth, relatable family moments, and strong performances.
Where can I watch Gullak Season 5?
Gullak Season 5 is available for streaming on Sony LIV.
How many episodes are there in Gullak Season 5?
The season consists of 7 episodes, each with an approximate runtime of 30 minutes.
Who plays Santosh Mishra in Gullak?
Jameel Khan plays Santosh Mishra and continues to be one of the strongest performers in the series.
Why are fans discussing the change in Anand’s character?
Season 5 features a new actor, Anant V Joshi, in the role of Anand Mishra, replacing the original actor. The change has been noticeable for many longtime viewers.
Does Gullak Season 5 maintain the charm of previous seasons?
Partially. The season retains the warmth and family dynamics that fans love, but many viewers may feel it lacks the emotional freshness and simplicity of the earlier installments.
What is the main theme of Gullak Season 5?
The season continues exploring middle-class family life, focusing on relationships, financial struggles, personal growth, and changing family dynamics.
Will there be a Gullak Season 6?
There has been no official confirmation yet, but given the popularity of the franchise, another season remains a possibility.
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