JAWAAN (2023) : review

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And finally the much hyped, much awaited Jawaan saw light of the day ! Big stars, big budget( humongous budget actually), big music composer, everything super large. But does it meet the expectations of the average viewer? No it goes not. Read on.  A decorated jawan locks horns with a criminal called Kaali, this is in 1986 ( the year movies like Aakhri Raasta released, just for reference). Kaali gets him eliminated and send the pregnant wife to jail. The baby born in jail grows up to become the hero (look alike of the father) and decides to avenge the misdeeds done to his innocent patriotic parents. Well, isn’t it a masaaledaar full on Bollywood- Tollywood drama subject ?  And then the director Atlee also borrows ideas and references from various retro movies, some idea from Sholay (1975) as the hero assembled a gang of jailed Qaidis in order to form a team to nab the villain, then there’s an entire episode borrowed from Dhartiputra (1993), and the basic theme is copy pasted from Kaml
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GULLAK (2021) Review

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GULLAK (2020-2021) directed by Amrit Raj Gupta 

Cast- Jameel Khan, Geetanjali, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Harsh Mayar, Sunita Rajawar and others. 

This slice of life web-series has two seasons streaming on SonyLiv and is an TVF original presentation. Must watch. 



Simple, relatable, down to earth, not describing a prospective bride or groom, these are the attributes for this slice of life web series titled Gullak, it could’ve been a real life story happening in your own home or the neighbourhood. Set in a middle class North Indian family of the Mishra’s it deals with their daily humorous as well as emotional situations (mostly arising out of comical goof ups) that’ll undeniably touch the emotional chord of viewers. 



You could well be transported back to the memorable Doordarshan days when we had family comedies like Wagle Ki Duniya(1988) and Yeh Duniya Ghazab Ki(1990) and so many others bereft of television glamour and high on content. Gullak has that nostalgic feel to it. The conversations between the family members are relished with humour, and an emotional connect. The artists performing these roles have literally got into the skin of their characters, the lingo, body language, attitude everything thoroughly North Indian middle class and so heartwarming. 



Both the seasons could well be binge watched as each episode is merely 25-30 mins duration making it a smooth and uninterrupted watch. Watch out for the preparation the family does for expected guests, the kapde chhat pe sukhana, the son demanding a scooty, the father trying his hand at an occasional cooking stunt, the ever inquisitive neighbourhood aunty, the camaraderie between the two brothers, it is bound to make you nostalgic. 



A welcome break from the high voltage espionage dramas, crime thrillers and sex comedies, Gullak is highly recommended to relive the bygone simplistic days which are just memories for all. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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