Guns & Gulaabs Review – Lengthy, But Engages Partly

BOTTOM LINE
Lengthy, But Engages Partly

OUR RATING
2.5/5

PLATFORM

Netflix

What Is the Film About?

Guns & Gulabs is a crime dramedy set in a fictitious place Gulabganj in the 90s. The main story revolves around the Opium grown in the area which is required in huge quantities by the Kolkata based mafia.

How the lives of Tipu (Rajkumar Rao), a lover also seeking revenge, Arjun (Dulquer Salmaan), an upright narcotics officer, Ganchi Sr (Satish Kaushik) and Jr ( Adarsh Gaurav) , local kingpins dealing with Kolkata mafia are intertwined with unique circumstances and their end forms the series’s plot.

Performances

Dulquer Salmaan and Rajkumar Rao play the leads in this two hero retro masala crime dramedy fare. The former plays the typical uptight righteous guy whereas the latter is the bumbling fool who grows serious as the narrative progresses.

Obviously, Rajkumar Rao’s part has all the fun and he delivers the required with ease. He has done similar parts in the past which leaves us with nothing surprising. But, he makes the same routine work with his act.

Dulquer Salmaan too holds his end playing the hero to perfection. His confrontation and inner turmoil lend depth to what otherwise would have been a flat character. He does what’s necessary and keeps things flowing although nothing is memorable.

Analysis

Raj & DK, the creator’s of series The Family Man, and Farzi are behind Guns & Gulaabs as well. The director duo take us back in time to the pulpy masala era in the black crime comedy series.

If one has seen the previous works of Raj & DK, one would have a basic idea of his approach and style. Guns & Gulaabs is another trademark work from the makers. The opening episode sets things perfectly and makes the expectations clear.

Raj & DK take their own sweet time in establishing the various characters and subplots. It is slow and tiresome, but the casting and writing impart a gripping feel to the proceedings.

The narrative smoothly moves from one subplot to another without any jarring. However, not all subplots are interesting and that’s where the pacing becomes an issue as things move on.

The subplot involving the kids or the main love story between Rajkumak Rao and Chandra are very predictable on surface. The actors make the routine work, but it’s apparent that the story itself offers nothing new.

The entire track involving the school kids drags, although the message it tries to convey (comes around the pre climax) is neat. However, it tests the patience in the entire process and adds to the bloatedness.

The other problem is the main gangster and mafia track involving the Narcotics department and the Opium. It lacks any surprises and follows beaten to death tropes. Again, it’s the actors who make the routine work. The routine exchanges are elevated by them.

Despite all the routineness and predictability what holds attention is ultimately the setting, and characterisation. One is excited in spite of all the issues to where the story is headed and what’s in store at the end. The music and all the technical details help the cause along with the artists.

Finally, it all builds up to the epic near one and half hour finale. It has repetitive gimmicky screenplay, but works enough to provide a satisfactory conclusion to the various tracks. The bloatedness with some tracks that were issues from the start is also evident in the process.

Overall, Guns & Gulaabs has excitement due to the casting and setting, but it’s overdrawn and largely predictable. If the excessive length is not an issue give the series a try, as the actors and writing make it work.

Performances by Others Actors

The casting of the series is terrific and it can’t be stressed enough. Although, Dulquer Salmaan and Rajkumar Rao hog the limelight, others too shine due to their unique and quirky characterisation. The most important among them is Gulshan Devaiah playing Four Cut Atmaram. Whenever he arrives one is glued to the proceedings.

TJ Bhanu and Pooja Gor are the female leads in a way. Bhanu manages to register in this strong ensemble. Pooja relegated to the backseat after a point. The kids are all fine conveying the right emotions with the innocence of the age in tact.

We have seen the late Satish Kaushik do similar parts in his last few outings and he is adequate as usual. It is Adarsh Gaurav who shines playing his son. His track leads to compelling drama despite predictability. The rest of the cast too does their job well even when playing the is sidekicks to the supporting roles.

Music and Other Departments?

Aman Pant’s background score is excellent. It is the right mix of retro, pulpy thriller sounds and modernity. It keeps the narrative electric even when the pace slackens which is most of the time.

Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography is superb. The vintage vibe and a rooted atmosphere are captured well. The combination of music and visuals give that desired effect the makers were aiming for. However, the editing ruins the efforts. There is a lot of lag and also some threads should have been tighter at the script level itself. The writing is neat in tune with the setting and ambition.

Highlights?

Casting

Consistent Retro Tone

Writing

Ending

Drawbacks?

Length

Predictable Narrative

Sub Plots

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, In Parts

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, But with Reservations

Guns & Gulaabs Series Review by M9