Gulabo Sitabo
2020 · Directed by Shoojit Sircar
Original language: Hindi
- drama
- comedy
The story
Set in present-day Lucknow, Gulabo Sitabo is a social satire about two impossibly peculiar human beings, Mirza Chunnan Nawab, who stays in a dilapidated mansion and one of the tenants, Bankey Rastogi.
What it’s like
Dusty, sun-bleached Lucknow lanes and cramped, crumbling interiors, shot with a warm, slightly grimy realism: sunlight pouring through broken shutters, peeling ochre walls, the clutter of old furniture and stacked belongings. The palette leans on faded yellows, browns and fading greens, with a handheld, observational camera that stays close to its characters as they bicker across courtyards and rooftops. The sound is full of street life, call-to-prayer, scooter horns, a little wry musical underscoring that never swells too far. Its vibe is scruffy, affectionate and sly, a warm comedy with a bite of social observation, best for a relaxed weekend afternoon or a lighthearted evening in. The pacing is brisk and playful, with the emotional register running from farce to quiet tenderness; the central arc follows two stubborn, petty old-versus-young rivals in a crumbling house, slowly revealing unexpected loyalty and vulnerability. Intensity is low: some shouting, mild insults and cheeky dishonesty, but no violence, gore or sexual content. It suits viewers who want gentle, character-driven humour with a grounded, lived-in look and a hint of social commentary.
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