OTT Review: Guns & Gulaabs Web Series

Web Series: Guns & Gulaabs
Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 ☆ ☆ (2.5/5)
Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav, Gulshan Devaiah, & Others
Directed by: Raj & DK
Cinematography: Pankaj Kumar
Music Director: Aman Pant
Editor: Sumeet Kotian
Producers: Raj & DK
Season: 1
No. Of Episodes: 7
OTT Release Date: 18th August, 2023
Related Links: Trailer
Available Audio Languages: Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, & Malayalam
Streaming on: Netflix

🎬🌟 Guns & Gulaabs: Engaging Crime Comedy 🎥🎨

Raj & DK, known for their track record of successful web series, present “Guns & Gulaabs,” a black comedy thriller series starring Rajkummar Rao and Dulquer Salmaan in the lead roles. Alongside them, Adarsh Gourav, TJ Bhanu, and Gulshan Devaiah deliver compelling performances. This Netflix series is available in multiple languages, and we’re eager to dive into its intrigue.

Story Glimpse:

The story is set in Gulaabganj, a fictional town where government-licensed opium is grown. The vast majority of opium flow is controlled by two rival gangs, led by Ganchi and Nabeed.

Technical Aspects:

• Casting: Rajkummar Rao and Dulquer Salmaan deliver exceptional performances together. Rajkummar’s natural portrayal adds depth to his character, while Dulquer impresses as a Narcotics officer. Other cast members, including child artists, also make a significant impact.
• Direction: Raj & DK’s work on Guns & Gulaabs is decent. They took a familiar plot and transformed the show into a passable experience through unique characterizations and strong performances from the cast. Credit is due to Casting Bay for selecting some exceptional talents. However, Raj & DK fell short of the high expectations. The screenplay lacks excitement for the most part and becomes quite predictable.
• Music: Aman Pant’s background score is superb, seamlessly evoking a retro ambiance and elevating the show’s overall technical brilliance
• Cinematography: Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography is exceptional, capturing the essence of the 90s era. The art direction seamlessly transports us back in time, and together with the cinematography, they elevate the show’s technical excellence. The production values are truly exquisite.
• Editor: The editing could have been improved, especially in some of the mid-episodes. There are noticeable pacing issues that the editing team could have addressed to maintain a smoother flow.

Highlights:

• Powerhouse Performances: Rajkummar Rao and Dulquer Salmaan shine in their roles, delivering exceptional performances that elevate the series.
• Gulshan Devaiah’s Brilliance: Gulshan Devaiah’s portrayal in essential roles continues to captivate audiences, making him a standout performer on OTT platforms.
• Technical Excellence: Outstanding background score by Aman Pant and top-notch cinematography by Pankaj Kumar transport viewers to the 90s era, enhancing the show’s overall quality.
• Effective Humor: The well-penned Hindi dialogues by Sumit Arora contribute to the humor in the series, creating memorable moments.
• Exciting Conclusion: The final episode delivers a thrilling blend of entertainment and action, providing a satisfying ending to the series.

Downside:

• Predictable Story: The series follows a routine plot of rival gangs, lacking innovation and surprise elements, leading to predictability.
• Slow Mid-Episodes: The mid-episodes tend to become dull and unengaging, with a considerable lag that could have been addressed through better editing.
• Unexplored Characters: Some characters, like Gulshan Devaiah’s Atmaram, deserved more screen time and entertainment potential that remained untapped.
• Missed Opportunities: Despite the potential for a more gripping narrative, the series falls short of Raj & DK’s high standards, with a flat screenplay and predictable twists.

Final Verdict: “Performance-Driven Dark Comedy Delivers“

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