From fan to family

Anant V Joshi. Pics/Instagram, Youtube

For years, Anant V Joshi watched Gullak as a fan, relating to its middle-class quirks, family dynamics, and everyday struggles. Today, he finds himself at the centre of that world. Joining the fifth season as Anand Mishra, the eldest son of the Mishra family, is nothing short of a dream come true for him. When he was first approached for the role, Joshi admits he could hardly believe it. "It boosted my confidence and morale," he says. Replacing Vaibhav Raj Gupta after four successful seasons of the SonyLIV series came with its share of pressure. "People don't always embrace change easily. But working on a franchise with such credibility, talented actors, and brilliant writers was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

The actor says the show's greatest strength lies in its authenticity. Every scene made him feel that the makers and writers were "a fly on the wall of his house". "My father worked in a government job, my mother is a homemaker, and I have a brother. The setup is very similar. What amazes me is how the writers capture everyday life so accurately. Every argument, conversation, and little moment feels like something we've all witnessed at home."

(From top left) Anant V Joshi, Harsh Mayar, Jameel Khan, and Geetanjali Kulkarni in ‘Gullak 5'

Off-screen, Joshi found an easy camaraderie with Jameel Khan, who plays his father in the series. "I think Jameel sir and I have a similar temperament. We are both from Nainital. We connected instantly and would often sit together quietly and talk." Asked about the one middle-class habit he still hasn't outgrown, Joshi doesn't hesitate. It's the fear of not having enough money. "I think that's a very middle-class fear. You constantly worry about the future and whether you have enough.It's deeply embedded in our upbringing."

His screen work

. Woh 5 Din
. Gandhi Baat
. Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein
. Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
. 12th Fail
. Maamla Legal Hai
. Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi