Earlier this month, the Mishra family returned to the screen, ready with their all-too-relatable daily struggles and wise introspective lessons. While SonyLIV’s Gullak 2 is worthy of the rave reviews coming its way, Geetanjali Kulkarni as Shanti Mishra, the sharp-tongued mother who keeps goading her sons to do better, is the scene-stealer. “The best part about the second season is that it is more nuanced while retaining the feel of the original edition. Our characters have matured in different aspects. Usually, if the first season is appreciated, makers tend to take more risks and change everything around in the following instalment. But here, we have remained true to the story,” says the actor.

Tell her that the series, complete with its small anecdotes that have big heart, is often compared to the gem, Hum Log, and she says that middle-class stories have an innate appeal to them. She reasons, “Middle-class people face various challenges, but they become wiser with time. They solve their own problems and are jugadu in a way. They have countless experiences to share, which in turn, resonate with the audience.”