Panchayat Season 4, one of India’s most anticipated OTT releases, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Chandan Kumar, the fourth instalment of this popular rural comedy-drama franchise attempts to dive deeper into village politics and personal transformation. However, the season fails to deliver the magic that made Panchayat an audience favourite in the first place.

Plot Overview

The story picks up from where Season 3 left off, starting with the aftermath of Abhishek Tripathi (played by Jitendra Kumar) slapping Bhushan (played by Durgesh Kumar). Tensions are high as the local elections heat up between incumbent Pradhan Manju Devi and rival Karnti Devi, with their respective camps going full throttle in their campaigns.

Amidst this, Sachiv Ji is trying to shield his career after an FIR threatens his dream of entering IIM. While the central election narrative dominates the script, the subplots that once gave Panchayat its charm are missing. There’s a sense that the story has lost its grounding in the relatable realities of rural life.

Direction & Writing

Both the direction and writing have been heavily criticized. The unique subtlety of storytelling that was once the hallmark of Panchayat has now been replaced with a more mainstream, formulaic treatment. The emotional weight, character depth, and observational humour are significantly missing in Season 4.

Director Deepak Kumar Mishra and writer Chandan Kumar seem to have shifted their focus towards creating a more dramatic narrative, at the cost of what originally made Panchayat stand out: its simplicity and heart. Unfortunately, this transition does not serve the series well. The over-the-top expressions, underdeveloped story arcs, and inconsistent pacing turn what could’ve been a gripping continuation into a dragged storyline.

Performance Review

While the writing is underwhelming, the performances are not. Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi delivers a nuanced portrayal of a man torn between career ambitions and ground realities. Neena Gupta, though underutilized, retains her quiet authority as Manju Devi. Raghubir Yadav slightly overplays his part as Pradhan Ji, but it still works for the tone of the series.

Faisal Malik’s portrayal of Prahlad Pandey remains one of the most consistent and emotionally resonant characters. His moments of grief and camaraderie give the audience brief glimpses of the Panchayat they once knew and loved.

The addition of Swanand Kirkire, however, does little to uplift the season, as his character lacks a well-defined purpose and feels like a filler rather than an integral element.

Themes and Subtext

In previous seasons, Panchayat thrived on small, relatable village events. From water pump issues to public toilets, every episode was anchored in local narratives with deeper emotional and societal relevance. Season 4 largely abandons this formula and focuses too much on the power struggle in local governance, leading to predictable conflicts and less engaging storytelling.

The show’s earlier seasons also excelled at portraying female agency in a rural setup, which is completely neglected in this season. Characters like Manju Devi and Rinki are pushed to the sidelines in favour of male-centric conflict and drama.

Music & Technical Aspects

Another major letdown is the soundtrack. Panchayat had built a reputation for using music to deepen the emotional quotient—memorable tracks like "Khali Khali Sa", "Aasman Rootha", and "Hinda Ka Sitara" are etched into viewers’ minds. However, Season 4 lacks a single original composition, and instead, reuses old ones which fail to evoke any new emotion.

On the technical front, the cinematography and setting remain consistent. Phulera still feels like a familiar place, and that adds some nostalgia value. But great visuals cannot compensate for the lack of a compelling story.

Missed Opportunities

Season 4 of Panchayat was supposed to be a redemption after the lukewarm reception of Season 3. Sadly, the makers repeat the same mistakes—too much focus on politics, lack of engaging subplots, and poorly handled emotional arcs. What could have been a beautifully woven story of grassroots democracy and personal evolution turns into a dragged political soap opera.

Verdict

Panchayat Season 4 is a bittersweet offering. For fans of the series, watching the familiar faces of Sachiv Ji, Pradhan Ji, Vikas, and Prahlad brings moments of joy. But beyond the comfort of these characters, there’s little substance this season.

The show feels repetitive, stretched, and thematically shallow, relying too heavily on its legacy rather than building something new. While it is still watchable due to its cast, the writing leaves a lot to be desired. For viewers seeking depth, subtlety, and the rustic heart of rural India—Panchayat Season 4 may feel like a step back.

Final Rating: 2.5/5

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Pushpa Jewellers, Cedaar Textile, Adcounty Media India, Marc Loire Fashions, Indogulf Cropsciences, Moving Media Entertainment, Rama Telecom, Supertech EV, Valencia India, Neetu Yoshi, PRO FX Tech, Suntech Infra Solutions, Ace Alpha Tech, Sambhav Steel Tubes, HDB Financials.

The Current active IPO are  Abram Food, Shri Hare-Krishna Sponge Iron, Icon Facilitators, Globe Civil Projects, Ellenbarrie Indutrial Gases, Kalpataru,AJC Jewel, Aakaar Medical Technologies, Safe Enterprises Retail Fixtures, Mayasheel Ventures.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.