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Guns & Gulaabs: A Marvellously Wacky Crime Drama

Smartly written, slickly crafted, and wonderfully acted, Guns & Gulaabs, created by Raj and DK, is a marvellously wacky crime drama that takes us back to the 1990s. This Netflix series explores the dark and twisted world of individuals who find perverse pleasure in murder, mayhem, and meanness.

A Moral Universe in Chaos

The story is set in the small town of Gulaabgunj, nestled in the hills and surrounded by opium fields. Here, an amoral world exists, where opium dealers, gangsters, and assassins with multiple lives reign. Adults and schoolboys alike find excitement in crossing the line, constantly blurring the boundaries between right and wrong.

Interestingly, the town’s name, Gulaabgunj, is derived from “gulaabs,” meaning roses, which are vastly outnumbered in this morally bankrupt universe. Two warring gangs, separated by a line of control in a local dhaba, battle for control over the lucrative illegal opium business that operates outside of government regulation.

An Action-Packed Plot

Guns & Gulaabs wastes no time in establishing its key components – opium, love, and violence. The plot swiftly unfolds with shots of a poppy farm, schoolboys discussing their love interests, and a chase scene that ends in broad daylight murder. As the story progresses, secondary elements such as a rivalry between two school students and a troubled past that catches up with an anti-narcotics officer emerge.

The narrative takes a dizzyingly rollicking turn in the action-packed finale, consisting of episodes 7 and 8, which run nearly an hour and a half and even have an intermission. In this final showdown, every resident of Gulaabgunj and Sherpur, the neighboring town 30 km away, is driven by their ulterior motives, making it a perilous landscape where no one can be trusted.

A Nostalgic Homage to the 1990s

Guns & Gulaabs is more than just a crime drama; it is a love letter to the early 1990s and the Hindi cinema and music of that era. The series is a delight for popular culture geeks, with numerous references to the period. The characters’ names and the chapter titles are drawn from songs and films of the 1980s and 1990s.

Additionally, the soundtrack features Hindi film songs from three decades ago, and the visual design pays tribute to the nostalgia of the era. With its meticulous attention to detail, the series successfully captures the essence of that period, indulging viewers in a wave of nostalgia.

Superb Performances and Stylistic Brilliance

Guns & Gulaabs boasts a quartet of exceptional performances from Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Gulshan Devaiah, and Adarsh Gourav. These actors bring depth and nuance to their roles, captivating the audience from start to finish. The larger ensemble cast, including TJ Bhanu, Pooja A. Gor, and Shreya Dhanwanthary, also leave a lasting impression.

Director duo Raj and DK have masterfully blended stylistic elan with storytelling chutzpah, creating a visually stunning series that keeps viewers engaged from the first frame to the last. Guns & Gulaabs is not just another crime drama; it is an electrifying rollercoaster ride that offers a fresh and captivating take on the genre.

Overall, Guns & Gulaabs is an absolute must-watch for fans of crime dramas and anyone looking to immerse themselves in an expertly crafted world of twists, turns, and nostalgia.