Panchayat Season 4 Review

"Despite being in its fourth run, ‘Panchayat’ holds on to its understated charm and clever humour. Instead of running after high-stakes drama, it uncovers grace in Phulera’s daily madness."

Season 4 serves as a gentle reminder that there's real magic in simplicity, and Phulera thrives on its quirky charm. The fourth season of Panchayat continues to deliver that old-school vibe and sharp humor we love. While the show embraces its fair share of drama, it beautifully captures the everyday complexities of life in Phulera.

Even after four seasons, Panchayat still feels like a warm, familiar hug. If anything has shifted, it’s that the show has settled into its own rhythm—there’s no rush to impress or overdo anything. What once felt like a quirky village filled with eccentric characters has now transformed into a second home.

This season revolves around elections. The stakes might seem low, but the egos are anything but. From wooing voters with potatoes to turning samosas into currency, the rivalry between Manju Devi and Kranti Devi is both hilarious and a tad unsettling. The humor this time is sharper, and the satire hits harder—and that’s where the show truly shines. There’s beauty in the little complications of life.

Abhishek’s struggles and dilemmas

Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) is back—still the reluctant outsider, caught up in the whirlwind of rural politics. Following last season's slap, an FIR has been filed, creating a hurdle in his CAT preparations. He appears a bit down and out at Bhushan's (Durgesh Kumar) place, but Phulera isn’t one to forgive easily. He gets a second chance, but with strings attached. The show picks up right where it left off, balancing Abhishek's anxieties and worries with a mix of humor and emotional depth.

Pradhan and Manju Devi are wrapped in a silent tension regarding their political futures, while Prahlad and Vikas serve as both sidekicks and emotional anchors. A new twist emerges when a local MP encourages Prahlad to run for the MLA elections—this adds an intriguing layer without straying from the show’s original tone.

Narrative Shift:

This season takes a bit of a different turn. Instead of the clear story arcs we’re used to, it feels more like a collection of loosely connected moments. The focus shifts from just reaching a destination to capturing the mood and vibe of the journey. Honestly, this change works well—now, we’re not just tuning in for the plot; we’re here to soak in the nuances between characters, the emotions reflected in their eyes, and those quiet moments they share.

At times, the pace slows down—like in the episode about Manju Devi's father, which doesn’t quite deliver an emotional punch or a laugh. But just when it seems like the show might be losing its momentum, the election-day episode swoops in to save the day with its vibrant energy and sharp writing.

Characters: Dil ki jaan

As always, the heart of the show lies in its cast.

Faisal Malik’s Prahlad shines as the emotional core once again—his grief, loyalty, and exhaustion are portrayed with such subtlety that it truly tugs at your heartstrings.

Chandan Roy as Vikas remains steadfast, bringing humor and warmth to the mix.

Raghubir Yadav and Neena Gupta ground the show with their elegant presence.

And then there are the troublemakers—Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar), Binod (Ashok Pathak), Madhav (Bulloo Kumar)—who are crafted in a way that makes them feel more like complex characters rooted in the pride and loyalty of village life rather than outright villains. In one memorable scene, when Binod stands firm on his principles and refuses to switch sides, he delivers a powerful moment that feels refreshingly honest rather than overly dramatic.

What to say in the end?

Panchayat once again shows us that the extraordinary often hides in the ordinary. Some of the season's best moments occur when nothing particularly special is happening.

Picture four people gathered around a fire, beers in hand, sharing a profound silence. That’s the essence of the show.

This series never aims to be grand or flashy. It simply reflects a world that thrives in pauses, in shared glances, and in unspoken emotions.

Even after four seasons, Panchayat remains a "small world"—and that’s where its true charm lies.

Image Credit: Youtube