Panchayat Season 4 Review: Still simple, still sincere — The fourth season delivers more of the same

Time of India

6 days ago

Story: Election fever grips Phulera as both Manju Devi and Kranti Devi pull out all the stops to win over voters. Meanwhile, Abhishek Tripathi is on edge—worried and anxious about the counter FIR filed against him, fearing it could derail his business school admission.
Review: While 'Panchayat' still carries its signature charm and simplicity, it's clear the new season treads familiar ground. The show continues its format of building entire episodes around small incidents, often without contributing to a larger narrative arc. There's little in terms of story progression, but the appeal lies in the mood it creates and the quirks of Phulera's residents. Creative fatigue shows, especially in the fifth episode featuring Manju Devi's father—a subplot that adds absolutely nothing to the story. Yet, the show remains watchable, thanks to its rooted setting and the comfort it offers. Our emotional investment in the characters keeps us going even when not much actually happens.
This season opens with Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) under pressure after Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) files an FIR against him for slapping him. He's visibly anxious that the case could affect his CAT results and ruin his chances at business school. His attempt to apologize doesn't go as planned, and even when accepted, it comes with strings attached. Meanwhile, the ex-MLA, Chandrakishore Singh (Pankaj Jha), scrambles to uncover the shooter who targeted Pradhan Ji (Raghubir Yadav), as he too is implicated. Election fever peaks in Phulera, with Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) using every trick in the book—from cleaning toilets to distributing free tomatoes—to woo voters. Pradhan Ji's group is dealt a blow when Vikas's (Chandan Roy) property purchase triggers a raid. Adding to the churn, the local MP (Swanand Kirkire) offers Prahlad (Faisal Malik) a ticket after Chandu's removal from the party.
Season four centers on the rivalry between the factions of Pradhan Ji and Bhushan. Tensions rise with the approaching elections. Abhishek is assaulted by Chandu's men; Bhushan informs on Vikas, leading to the raid. In a bid to shift loyalties, Pradhan Ji invites Binod for dinner. The season plays out like a series of loosely linked village episodes rather than a tightly woven plot. While this may seem like a flaw, it also allows the show to retain its slice-of-life appeal. The beauty of the show lies in the texture and rhythm of village life it captures, and the show remains grounded in its depiction of a small UP town village. Its biggest strength continues to be its simplicity.
Performances remain consistently strong. Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi is still chasing his future, battling anxiety about his CAT test results. His slow-burn connection with Rinki (played by Sanvikaa) stays in sync with the laid-back pace of the village. Vikas and Prahlad remain loyal to Pradhan Ji, determined to ensure Manju Devi's win. On the other side, Bhushan, Binod, and Madhav are equally focused on discrediting Pradhan Ji and pushing Kranti Devi forward. The character dynamics haven't changed much, but they continue to feel familiar and engaging.
The season ends on an open note, making it unclear whether another one is planned. It could end here, or continue. Despite relying on the same patterns, 'Panchayat' remains a comfort watch. It captures a world where people are driven by genuine concerns—whether it's Bhushan offering to arrange an electrician for the faulty transformer or Abhishek running to get water after Bhushan is injured. The show doesn't aim for grand twists or emotional highs. It's gentle, lived-in, and this season is no different—just don't expect major plot developments.