Gulaal

The events unfold in contemporary India, around the late 2000s, amidst college politics and a rising regional movement. The General Secretary elections become the focal point for ambition, power plays, and bribery. The period is marked by political churn, financial siphoning, and personal betrayals that escalate into violence. The era emphasizes how ethics can be sacrificed for tribal or regional ascendancy.

Rajpur is a fictional town whose identity blends a regal past with a modern university culture. The old, run-down British-era pub where Dilip rents housing anchors the town with colonial echoes. The university campus and surrounding streets become the arena for rival factions, student rallies, and the Rajputana movement. The setting fuses tradition, ambition, and lineage with contemporary campus politics.

🗳️ Power & Politics

Power is negotiated through alliances, money, and intimidation as the Rajputana movement intersects with university governance. Elections are less about merit and more about leverage, with leaders using funds and influence to tilt outcomes. The narrative exposes how authority is earned and maintained through manipulation and coercion. Ambition drives characters to compromise ethics and destabilize relationships.

🗡️ Betrayal & Manipulation

Betrayal threads through romantic and political alliances, as characters manipulate others to reach personal ends. Kiran uses Dilip as a pawn to access power, while Karan engineers lethal plots to reshape leadership. Dukey leverages fear and bribery to secure loyalty, revealing how easily trust can be weaponized. The consequences are violent and tragic, underscoring the fragility of loyalty.

👑 Aristocracy & Identity

Aristocratic lineage and regional identity loom large, shaping motives and temptations. Ransa embodies rebellion against inherited privilege, while Kiran’s ties to birthright complicate loyalties. The movement seeks legitimacy through bloodlines and titles, blurring moral lines between protector and oppressor. The tension between tradition and reform drives much of the conflict.

💔 Love & Loss

Romantic entanglements intensify the political struggle, with Dilip entangled in a love triangle that fuels his vulnerability. Anuja represents a counterpoint of moral concern within a system of power, while Madhuri exposes hidden loyalties. The pursuit of affection often collides with ambition, leading to losses and emotional devastation for several characters.