Guns & Gulaabs

Raj and DK deliver again, this time with a dark-comedy gangster drama. While the overall story isn't anything new, the way it's been written and told was very enjoyable.

Well shot, good acting, good sound design and there's enough gaali-galoch if you enjoy that. Those of you who like nostalgia, from old songs on audio cassettes to F. L. A. M. E. S., there's enough of that as well. It was good to see Satish Kaushik on the screen. The students in the show were quirky. Casting DQ and casually weaving in some Telugu in there felt refreshing, leave it to Raj and DK to begin getting inclusion right.

The story is slow and takes its own sweet time (but has the said dark comedy dispersed throughout) until it hits the fan in the 7-8 combo episode finale. That's when the stories and different plotlines come together and you're like "Ooooh, that's what's going on!" There's ONE lose end that I think they didn't tie, but other than that, this was enjoyable. I wonder if a 3-hr movie version would have been nice, but I don't know what you'd cut. It's watchable on the sides as well, in case you don't have the time.

As an ardent admirer of Raj & D. K's work, including the often overlooked 'A Gentleman,' I couldn't contain my anticipation upon learning about their latest endeavor, 'Guns & Gulaabs.' Boasting an ensemble cast featuring talents like Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan (DQ), Gulshan Devaiah, and Adarsh Gourav, the stage was set for an intriguing and gripping narrative. However, as I reflect upon the seven-episode series, my thoughts inevitably lean toward what might have been.

It's important to clarify that 'Guns & Gulaabs' is far from being a disappointment; it commences on a strong note, and the initial episodes manage to capture the viewer's attention. The climactic episode, replete with twists and adrenaline-pumping thrills, further showcases the show's potential. Regrettably, these engaging moments are sporadically interspersed, leaving much to be desired during the in-between segments.

While the humor occasionally hits its mark, there are instances when the jokes falter, contributing to an overall sense of inconsistency. The pacing of the series, in particular, felt lackluster and, at times, ponderous. It's within these stretches that the show loses some of its allure, struggling to maintain the viewer's engagement.

Despite these shortcomings, the performances shine with brilliance. Every member of the cast brings their respective characters to life with commendable effortlessness. With such a talented ensemble at the helm, the strength of the acting was practically a given.

The unmistakable Raj & DK touch is perceptible throughout the show, offering glimpses of their signature style. However, the consistency needed to elevate 'Guns & Gulaabs' to the echelons of a classic appears to be somewhat elusive.

Summing up, my verdict rests in the realm of decency rather than exceptionalism. While 'Guns & Gulaabs' certainly warrants attention, it falls short of reaching the pinnacle of distinction. Nevertheless, it remains a viable choice if you're seeking a diversion to pass the time.

The duo of Raj & DK is celebrated for their expertise in crafting interesting characters from scratch, and they are not only well versed in their interplays and discourses but also understand how to make those personalities more relatable to the audience and their latest collaboration with Netflix, "Guns & Gulaabs" is no exception!

We have got a bunch of fascinating individuals with different quirks and traits, and all of them have been given space and time to evolve, albeit to varying extents.

Actors like Rajkummar Rao and Adarsh Gourav had captured most of the spotlight, whereas in Dulquer Salmaan and Gulshan Devaiah's case, things have not gone all smooth and sailing, and they got way less screen time than they merited, given the quality and capability they possess as actors.

And the main reason behind this unjustness was that the creators were too busy playing around with half a dozen sub-plots all moving parallel to each other, which wore them down and, subsequently, their whole execution!

Underplots are critical in storytelling, but having too many of them could jeopardise the entire equation; you have to figure out and respect the limitations.

That being said, I did appreciate the show overall, and that's mainly because of the humour that came organically; rather than coming off superficial, and for that, I would like to applaud the writing as well as Rajkummar Rao because he was sensational with his comic timing; he was without a doubt the highlight of the show.

The 90s set up transports us to that era. Specially the love letter with perfume n Bryan Adam's song.

The dialogues r crude n hilarious.

"I cud crush u under the weight of my balls".

Another best part is the villain with the mullet hair who seems to be another Jason from Friday the 13th who never dies.

Rajkumar Rao as Tipu is top notch. The guy deserves big budget movies. He is a terrific actor.

His movie Shahid is in my top ten list.

The final showdown between Aatmaram n Tipu is hilarious. The show has a terrific twist n has lots of well developed characters.

The amulet seller guy shud have been given more footage.

The only thing missing was the inclusion of over the top violence which is required in such dark comedies.

A new study states that people who appreciate dark humor may have higher IQs, show lower aggression, and resist negative feelings more effectively than people who dont.

One sentence to describe this series that it feels like you are watching something different and living those moments. That 90's era vibes and cast giving their best and living on their rules is something else. And screenplay that was marvelous. Hats off to Raj and DK for this show. It was really a treat to the eyes. Never felt boredom through a long watch. Last 30 minutes of this show was really something else. One of the best ending that this series deserved. However, sad that no more season of this epic show will happen. It ended that way. Last but not least, the casts were outstanding. Thanks Netflix for this one!