In Panchayat’s fourth season, fans are now familiar with the characters – their motivations, struggles, insecurities and source of joy. One recognises the Gram Panchayat office, with the water tank in the background – the secret meeting spot of Abhishek played by Jitendra Kumar and Rinki played by Sanvikaa (a nod to That ‘70s Show), Pradhan Pati’s house and the familiar lanes of Phulera. Anyone who has watched the previous seasons might even have a fair idea of what’s about to unfold in the latest season. I believe fans of the series are likely to take comfort in that. They don’t watch it for, or even expect thrills and frills. Panchayat’s charm lies in its gentle journey. The series’ appeal lies in its universal heart.
It's election season in Phulera
At the beginning of Season 4, there are two major focuses – the upcoming election and the wait for Abhishek’s MBA results. The latest season continues with the signature elements that have made the series a hit. The silly political games, the rivalry between the villages, and the unspoken feelings between Abhishek and Rinki. Most series set in small towns and villages rely on rustic charm and the lovable characters that live there. The basics are in place and the cast, as we know by now, is more than capable.
Mostly, Panchayat is an excuse to revel in rural unhipness. Like Binod (Ashok Pathak) being made to feel guilt and shame at eating a prasad-ka-laddoo from their political rival. In anger, he relishes dinner at the ‘enemy’ home but leaves with an unexpected speech on loyalty (hum gareeb hai, gaddar nahin) when there are attempts to woo him to switch sides.
Loyalty, heart and humour
Loyalty is a common theme with most characters. The Sacheev’s dedication to Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and family. Vishal Shukla (Chandan Roy) and Prahlad Pandey (Faizal Malik) are firmly in Brijbhushan Dubey’s (Raghubir Yadav) corner. Meanwhile, Bhushan Sharma (Durgesh Kumar) and Kranti Devi Sharma (Sunita Rajwar) have the allegiance of Binod and Madhav (Bulloo Kumar), and in turn, the couple are blind bhakts of the pet-loving MLA Chandrakishore Singh (Pankaj Jha). The heart and humour come from the dialogues – sometimes silly, sometimes snarky, but never distasteful.
The characters and their problems found in the previous seasons are missing the same punch. Relying on simple problems of the villagers (unclean toilets, electricity problems, and village boundaries) is hardly fresh, even though you watch most of it with a smile because of the sweetness and likability of the cast. Some of the storylines are frayed from over-use, but every 30-minute long episode has enough drama and highlights.
Highlights from Panchayat Season 4
The physical violence case against Abhishek and how it will impact his future looms large at the start of the season. A foolproof plan (apologise in a drunken state) is hatched in the first episode with drama and comedy in equal measure with a teenie-tiny preview into the last episode which shows the dancing prowess of the MLA.
Ep 2 revolves around a dirty toilet and a dirtier political game plan with Bhushan getting to play the victim card. The two sides are clearly drawn and wooing the public to vote for their party is the clear agenda. Episode 3 features the aforementioned laddoo episode; expect lots of emotion and a plot twist. As we finish the first half of the season, the madness triggered by the anti- corruption raid in Ep 4, feels like the final episode but there is more to be unveiled.
The campaigning and the arrival of Rinki’s nana in the next episode, bring on unexpected hilarity and a cooker (Bhushan’s party logo) that bursts. Rinki and Abhishek engage in the “future” conversation for the first time. By the time episode 6 comes around, the real showrunner comes to light. Episode 7 makes for a case of one-upmanship with both sides trying to find solutions that will help them win the election by supplying generators and free potatoes to every home in the village. The finale episode sparks a debate on whether folks should drink to celebrate Abhishek’s passing the exam or in sorrow of him failing it.
Overall, Panchayat Season 4 makes for a pleasant watch. The series has, in the past, laid the foundation for major shake-ups in the season finale and Season 4 does the same.
