A piggy bank wasn’t just for storing money; it was a repository for those small household wishes that didn’t require immediate fulfillment.
Every coin dropped into it carried a dream-be it for a new bicycle, a picnic, or simply buying something on a whim. Gradually, the clinking sound of coins would grow louder, and with it, the hopes attached to them would rise too.
When these sentiments are woven into a narrative, the story of the series *Gullak* emerges. The middle-class Mishra family portrayed in the show feels like our own; one begins to feel a personal connection to their dreams, joys, and even their squabbles. The series *Gullak* first became a part of viewers’ lives on June 27, 2019, featuring outstanding actors like Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Harsh Mayar, and Sunita Rajwar. Here is why, even years later, this series and its story continue to feel so relatable.
**On Sundays, Papa Becomes an Engineer**
In *Gullak*, viewers often see Santosh Mishra-‘ Papa’-sipping tea with a toolbox by his side on Sundays. He fixes a fan that has been making noise for months, straightens a door latch, or attempts to repair an old radio. Whether the repairs succeed or not, Santosh Mishra ends the evening feeling happy about having tackled these household chores. Like Santosh Mishra, many fathers in middle-class families do the same; countless people have watched their own fathers engage in such tasks. These moments are part of many young people’s memories, which is why the ‘Papa’ of *Gullak* and his antics bring a smile to one’s face.
**Mummy Doesn’t Just Save Money; She Saves the Home**
Shanti Mishra-‘Mummy’-in *Gullak* is a saver. She manages the household smoothly, even on a tight budget. If guests arrive unexpectedly, she brings out the ‘good’ cups from the cupboard. When the supply of vegetables runs low at home, *Tehri* (a simple rice and vegetable dish) becomes the meal of choice. To the children, it might seem like a plain, ordinary meal, but a mother knows that flavor comes not just from ingredients, but from the intention behind the cooking. It is thanks to Shanti Mishra that the Mishra family stands strong in the face of adversity. Middle-class mothers everywhere do the same; they are, in a sense, reflections of Shanti Mishra. This is precisely why the mother figure in *Gullak* carves a special place in the hearts of the audience.
**The arrival of the water supply becomes a significant event**
The Mishra family has a fixed time for the water supply to arrive, a matter of great concern for Shanti Mishra. Only once the water comes can the rest of the household chores be completed. We see a similar scenario in middle-class families across both big cities and small towns. Before the water arrives, women get buckets, drums, and vessels ready. Then, a shout rings out-“The water is here!”-and the entire neighborhood springs into action. *Gullak* captures these very nuances of everyday life.
**Battles over the TV remote**
The Mishra family’s two sons, Annu and Aman, are grown and sensible, yet they still fight over the remote. Such scenes and squabbles over the remote are common among children in many households. Siblings might even come to blows over it, leading to days of silence between them, though eventually, everything returns to normal.
**’Bittu ki Mummy’ is everywhere**
The series *Gullak* features a character known as ‘Bittu ki Mummy.’ She keeps track of everything-from the Mishra family’s affairs to the happenings in every other household in the neighborhood. She knows whose house has a new fridge, whose son has received his exam results, and even who was clattering their dishes a bit too loudly early in the morning. In today’s terms, this might be seen as an invasion of privacy, yet ‘Bittu ki Mummy’ figures can be found in large numbers across the country; they are a part of all our lives.