Raj and DK, the innovative minds behind the soon-to-premiere show ‘Guns and Gulaabs’, recently shared a captivating behind-the-scenes secret: the entire show found its canvas in Uttarakhand. Specifically, they used the scenic surroundings of Dehradun, the state’s capital, to bring their vision to life.
Originally, Raj had envisioned shooting the show in his Andhra Pradesh hometown. The duo’s previous hit, the horror-comedy ‘Stree’, took its inspiration from there. Yet, in their quest for the perfect backdrop, they felt an irresistible pull to north India. Uttarakhand’s unique texture and tone provided just the right atmosphere for their story.
Krishna D.K., one half of the Raj & DK duo, elucidated on the process. He expressed, “Finding the perfect setting was no small feat. Our three-month search took us across India, exploring myriad locations before settling on Dehradun.”
Featuring stellar actors like Rajkummar Rao, Gulshan Devaiah, and Dulquer Salmaan, ‘Guns and Gulaabs’ is a dark comedy. Set in the intricate world of the 1990s drug mafia, it portrays their sinister, yet inadvertently comical, maneuvers to secure their portion of the industry.
The authenticity of the 1990s setting was paramount. In a world where towns globally often bear striking resemblances, capturing the distinctive vibe of a 1990s small town posed a challenge. Raj candidly shared some production challenges, noting the hunt for “geographical windows.” Elaborating on this, he mentioned the struggle to exclude certain anachronisms from the frame, like dish antennas, which didn’t emerge in India until the 2000s.
The idea of shooting adjacent to Raj’s hometown in Andhra Pradesh always lingered, as that was their initial thought. But the charm of Uttarakhand was undeniable. Audiences can now immerse themselves in this retro world, as ‘Guns and Gulaabs’ is gearing up to stream on Netflix, starting August 18.
