Seven years ago, a small TVF web series about a middle-class family in a small town in India was launched on SonyLIV with a 15-day shoot, one house as the primary location, and almost no budget.
No one expected ‘Gullak’ to become one of the most emotionally resonant shows in the history of Indian streaming. Now, with Season 5 on the air, and the Mishra family navigating the complex terrain of adult children and evolving parental roles, the cast sat down to reflect on the journey, and Jameel Khan, the man behind Santosh Mishra, had a lot to say about family, gratitude, and the responsibilities that come with both fatherhood and growing up.
Jameel Khan talks about the status of ‘Gullak’
For Jameel Khan, the man who housed Santosh Mishra throughout Gullak’s five seasons, the show’s trajectory from humble web series to beloved national institution is still something he struggles to fully process.“Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought this would turn into a cult show,” he says, before describing the emotional arc of the past seven years with characteristic warmth, in a conversation with Hindustan Times.
“This has been quite a rollercoaster ride from 2018 to 2019 to 2026 and I feel happy and proud to be a part of this show,” Khan continues.“I will do everything I can to remain a part of the show and be able to grow with it, to be able to contribute to it, and as a team do the best I can,” Khan adds.
Jameel Khan talks about the main theme of Gullak season 5
At the heart of Season 5 of “Gullak” is a question of great relevance to contemporary Indian family life: How do parents develop alongside children who grow into adults with their own needs, desires and ideas about independence?Jameel Khan, who plays the father who navigates exactly this on-screen tension, has thought deeply about this.
“I think it’s important for parents to understand that these are different times. Children will want their own space — not just physically, but also space to grow and develop and become themselves,” he says.He says the responsibility falls squarely on the parents to adapt. “As adults and parents, our job is to give them the space to spread their wings and fly,” Khan says.The ultimate measure of parenting success, for Jamil, is something very profound: “You want your children to know you rather than their parents knowing them.”Khan was not as strict about parental responsibility, offering what may be the most direct line in the entire interview: “If you’re not ready to be parents, don’t have kids… If you decide to become parents, it’s a good idea to take responsibility and do a good job of it.”While Jameel strongly calls on parents to give children space and develop with the times, he is equally clear that the responsibility for healthy family relationships does not fall solely on the shoulders of the parents.
He says children need to meet this effort with recognition and gratitude.He describes a way of thinking that he finds disturbing among some young people today: “A lot of times kids turn around and say, ‘This is your responsibility as parents. What is the great thing you have done?Khan’s response to this situation was direct and unequivocal: “Parents give in and do so much for you. Be grateful. Appreciate that.”
About the fifth season of the Gullak series
Gullak season 5 premiered on SonyLIV on 5 June 2026. The TVF series stars Jameel Khan as Santosh Mishra, Gitanjali Kulkarni as Shanti Mishra, Anant V Joshi as Anu, Harsh Mayar as Aman and Helly Shah as Dr. Preeti. All previous seasons are currently streaming on SonyLIV.
