Mumbai, 18th August: “Guns and Gulaabs,” created by Raj and DK, unfolds in the fictional town of Gulabganj; however, the series falls short of its potential. Despite featuring outstanding actors Dulquer Salmaan and Rajkummar Rao, the seven-episode show struggles to maintain coherence. The writing becomes muddled as the primary narrative of drug dealers becomes entangled with a high school romance, a strained father-son relationship, and a conflicted police officer torn between his devoted wife and a past flame. The series evokes memories of classic Indian films that aimed to be “paisa vasool,” cramming every possible element onto the canvas. There were lovers, antagonists, and comedians who once provided comic relief.
In many ways, “Guns & Gulaabs,” now streaming on Netflix, resembles Indian cinema from the 1960s. Drawing inspiration from global misfits, it blends violence and crime with love and tenderness, as well as harsh brutality with moments of gentleness. However, the writing fails to provide sufficient room for narrative substance or style, resulting in a waste of talents like Salmaan (as Arjun), a narcotics officer tempted by the allure of plotting the theft of opium worth millions, while rival gangsters vie for control of the illicit substance. Lurking on the sidelines like a vulture is a man from Bengal. Emerging from this chaos is Tippu (superbly portrayed by Rajkummar Rao), a mechanic who’s unsure which side to align with. Overarching all of this is Ganchi (Satish Kaushik), who, after a deal gone awry, slips into a coma by falling through a wooden floor. His son, Junior (Adarsh Gourav), arrogantly steps up to fill the void.
Thrust into this narrative, almost forcefully, is a schoolyard romance between Arjun’s daughter and her classmate, a jarring distraction in what should be a crime-centric story. Another romantic subplot emerges between the mechanic and a school teacher, Chandralekha (T.J. Bhanu), who teaches English. Such detours detract from the potential for a gripping tale of treachery and drug trafficking, turning the series into a wishy-washy, meandering tale that frequently falters, making it a challenge to endure the lengthy episodes.
Nevertheless, the series is salvaged from complete disappointment by some stellar performances. Rao’s intensity carries a captivating charm. His smile conceals a myriad of emotions, and his earnest attempts to win over Chandralekha exude an old-world allure. His emotional range is awe-inspiring. Salmaan’s portrayal of Arjun is multifaceted. He embodies an affectionate husband, a devoted father, and a resolute cop pulled into the clutches of greed. His versatility is commendable, propelling “Guns & Gulaabs” with vigor, as the guns fire and the gulaabs blossom.
