Helming a beloved series for its next season is no small feat, and for Creator-director Shreyansh Pandey, the journey of returning with the fourth season of Gullak was fraught with introspection and challenges. Before setting the wheels in motion for the new season, Pandey found himself pondering a myriad of questions. “You ask yourself many questions like, ‘Should we do season four? What new things can we do?’ I like to write the first draft and then sit with my writers. So, I first prepared the story’s skeleton. When I shared my thoughts with Vidit [Tripathi, writer] and he started giving inputs, then we felt some energy. We began writing in 2022, and it took us easily more than one-and-a-half years,” he reminisces.
Gullak, an endearing narrative woven around the Mishra family, captures the essence of a middle-class household that navigates life’s joys and setbacks with an indomitable spirit. Pandey, who has made his mark with slice-of-life series such as Panchayat, Kota Factory, and Tripling, emphasizes that maintaining distinctiveness in their works is a priority at TVF. “At TVF [The Viral Fever], we are a creator-led organisation. The individuality of the creators reflects in these shows. When we were developing the first season of Gullak, we wondered whether we needed to make another family show after Tripling and Yeh Meri Family. But we were telling the story in a different milieu.”
While Gullak has amassed a devoted fan base over its previous seasons, Pandey candidly shares that jumping back into the beloved world of the Mishras was not without its set of anxieties. Revisiting a series that has already established a strong connection with its audience translates to immense pressure for creators to deliver a fresh yet familiar experience. “Returning with a fan-favourite series is not always easy. You start to question how much the audience’s expectations have evolved and what new dimensions you can bring to beloved characters. I like to craft the narrative’s first skeleton draft and then refine it collectively with my writing team.
. That collaborative energy was essential for our journey that spanned over one-and-a-half years, starting 2022,” he explains.
Beyond the small screen, Pandey and his team at TVF are now setting their sights on expanding their storytelling ventures into the theatrical realm. The prospect of proving their mettle in films evokes a blend of excitement and apprehension for the creator-director. “[Films] are something we haven’t proved our mettle in. It makes you nervous and anxious, and when you’re a mix of both, you approach work with more honesty,” he shares, highlighting the production house’s cautious yet enthusiastic venture into a relatively uncharted territory for them.
The decision to keep Gullak’s tone unique while standing alongside other successful series like Tripling and Yeh Meri Family boils down to the creator-centric ethos embraced at TVF. “The individuality of the creators reflects in these shows. When we were developing the first season of Gullak, we wondered whether we needed to make another family show after Tripling and Yeh Meri Family. But we were telling the story in a different milieu,” Pandey reflects.
As he ponders the creative journey ahead, Pandey astutely acknowledges the importance of preserving each show’s unique voice despite sharing the slice-of-life genre. This nuanced understanding permeates his creative process, ensuring that Gullak remains evocative and self-contained while still contributing to the rich tapestry of TVF’s offerings.
The journey of crafting Gullak 4, as Pandey reveals, was a meticulous process teeming with creative exchanges and rigorous writing sessions. The laborious yet gratifying process reinforces his belief in collaborative energy and the significance of staying true to the show’s core values while innovating to capture the audience’s evolving palate.
As TVF ventures into the film industry, the production house’s hallmark of sincerity and creative integrity is poised to bridge their transition across mediums. The narrative journey that began with the Mishras continues to evolve, promising to engage and delight its audience with each chapter.
While the transition to the big screen remains an exciting prospect, Pandey’s unyielding passion and the collective spirit at TVF ensure that they approach each venture, be it a beloved series or a new film, with the same dedication and authenticity that has become synonymous with their brand.
