The fourth season of TVF’s beloved rural comedy-drama Panchayat has arrived on Amazon Prime Video, bringing back the residents of Phulera village for another heartwarming yet politically charged chapter. Created by The Viral Fever (TVF) and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, this season continues to follow the reluctant panchayat secretary Abhishek Tripathi, played by Jitendra Kumar, as he navigates rural governance complexities and personal growth.
Returning to reprise their beloved roles are Jitendra Kumar as the earnest Abhishek, Raghubir Yadav as Deputy Pradhan Brij Bhushan Dubey, Neena Gupta as the sharp-witted Manju Devi, Chandan Roy as the loyal Vikas, and Faisal Malik as the scheming Prahlad Pandey. The series has built its reputation on the chemistry between these characters and their ability to bring depth to rural archetypes.
Plot and Storyline
Season 4 centers around the much-awaited village panchayat elections, creating a politically charged atmosphere in Phulera. The season explores how Pradhan’s and Bhushan’s camps battle to maintain the upper hand, with everyone’s future hanging in the balance.
The storyline takes a more serious turn compared to its predecessors, focusing heavily on political maneuvering and electoral strategies. While previous seasons balanced comedy with subtle social commentary, Season 4 leans more into the political aspects of village life.
The season maintains its episodic structure while building toward the climactic election results. Each episode carefully develops the political tension while still finding moments for the gentle humor and character development that fans expect.
Cast Performance
The stellar cast continues to be the heart of Panchayat. Jitendra Kumar delivers another nuanced performance as Abhishek, showcasing his character’s growth from reluctant city dweller to someone genuinely invested in the village’s welfare.
Raghubir Yadav brings his characteristic warmth to Deputy Pradhan Brij Bhushan, while Neena Gupta continues to shine as the pragmatic Manju Devi. Her portrayal of a woman navigating the male-dominated world of village politics remains compelling.
I found Chandan Roy and Faisal Malik provide excellent support, with their characters serving as perfect foils to each other. The returning cast members slip back into their roles effortlessly, creating the lived-in authenticity that makes Phulera feel real.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Deepak Kumar Mishra’s direction maintains the series’ signature style of understated storytelling and natural performances. The cinematography continues to capture the rustic beauty of rural India while never romanticizing the hardships of village life.
The writing remains sharp in many places but sometimes gets bogged down by political plotting. The pacing feels slightly rushed in some episodes, particularly when dealing with complex political machinations.
The background score and sound design continue to enhance the viewing experience without being intrusive. The series maintains its commitment to authentic locations and settings.
What Works Well
Season 4 succeeds in maintaining the authenticity that has made Panchayat a standout series. The character relationships remain the show’s strongest asset, with each interaction feeling natural and lived-in.
The exploration of electoral politics at the grassroots level provides fascinating insights into how democracy functions in rural India. The show doesn’t shy away from showing the messy realities of political campaigning.
I appreciate how the performances across the board remain consistently strong, with each actor bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. The series maintains its visual consistency and commitment to realistic portrayal.
Areas for Improvement
This season, Fulera feels more political than comedy, which might disappoint viewers expecting the lighter tone of previous seasons. The shift toward more serious political themes alters the show’s tonal balance that many fans loved.
Some episodes feel rushed in their pacing, particularly when trying to cover multiple political developments. The series might have benefited from slowing down certain plot points for more character development.
I noticed the increased focus on electoral politics sometimes comes at the expense of smaller, intimate moments that gave the series its heart. While the political storyline is engaging, it occasionally overshadows personal growth stories.
Critical Reception and Public Response
Critics and viewers have shared mostly mixed reviews on social media platforms. One fan gave this season a 3.5-star rating, noting that while viewers will still get a good time, the political focus changes the show’s feel.
Professional critics have praised the series for not being afraid to evolve its storyline and tackle more complex themes. However, some reviews note the risk of characters becoming over-familiar with audiences after multiple seasons.
Critics continue to appreciate how Panchayat breaks from shows that rely on violence and shock values, instead focusing on story and sequences with lived-in authenticity.
Final Verdict
Panchayat Season 4 represents both an evolution and a departure for the beloved series. While it successfully maintains the authentic character relationships and realistic portrayal of rural life, the increased focus on electoral politics shifts the tonal balance many fans cherished.
The season succeeds as a political drama but may leave some viewers missing the gentler, more balanced approach of earlier installments. It’s a well-crafted season that will satisfy those interested in the political aspects of village life.
For fans of the series, Season 4 is definitely worth watching as it provides important character development and story progression. However, newcomers might want to start with earlier seasons to better appreciate the evolution.
Rating: 3.5/5
