Social Media Buzz: ‘Gullak Season 5’ Wins Hearts, But Major Recast and Release Format Leave Fans Divided
The beloved Mishra family made its highly anticipated return on June 5, 2026, welcoming viewers back into the cozy, nostalgic chaos of Mishra Nivas. While early reactions to the new season are largely celebrating the show’s signature warmth, humor, and emotional depth, the fandom is currently facing a massive divide over two major creative decisions.
The most talked-about shift this season is on the casting front. Anant V. Joshi has stepped into the shoes of Annu Mishra, a character previously brought to life by Vaibhav Raj Gupta for four consecutive seasons. This transition has triggered highly mixed reviews across social media platforms. Many fans are struggling to connect with the change, noting that the original portrayal and storytelling style are deeply missed. Netizens have pointed out that while the new actor puts in a sincere effort, filling such an iconic role feels jarring and will require an adjustment period for loyal viewers.
Adding to the viewer friction is a sudden shift in the show’s distribution strategy. Moving away from the traditional all-at-once binge model, the streaming platform has implemented a weekly episode drop format. This decision has drawn significant backlash from the audience, with many viewers complaining that having to wait until Friday for each new episode takes away from the excitement and diminishes one of the main attractions of the series.
Despite the central recast and format complaints, the core identity of the show remains intact. The new episodes pick up right where Season 4 left off, following the family as they navigate fresh middle-class realities while keeping their strong values and relationships intact.
Fans will be happy to see the rest of the beloved core cast return, including Jameel Khan as Santosh Mishra, Geetanjali Kulkarni as Shanti Mishra, Harsh Mayar as Aman Mishra, and Sunita Rajwar as Bittu Ki Mummy. The world of Mishra Nivas is also expanded this season with performances from supporting cast members Shivankit Singh Parihar, Gopal Dutt, Manuj Sharma, and Helly Shah.
