Panchayat rules, Season 4 a winner too
When ‘Panchayat’ first dropped on Prime Video in 2020, it marked a refreshing departure from the crime-based dramas, triggering a new trend, and has since spawned a few clones too. Unlike violence and gaali-infested web shows which rule the OTT space, the offering from TVF (The Viral Fever), the original web content creator of shows like ‘Permanent Roommates’, won hearts and appreciation. With its perfect rural setting, an unusual premise and stellar performances, it figured high on the critics’ meter.
Five years later and into its fourth season, it retains the series’ major strengths. Ever since Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), an engineering graduate, landed in the fictional village of Phulera in Uttar Pradesh as Sachivji (the panchayat secretary), all eyes have been on this roller-coaster ride of emotions, drama and laughter. An authentic slice of hinterland, it has brought forth the joys of simple things and the beauty of rural life, laced with subtle political commentary.
In its newest season, the setting is the same, major actors continue to reprise their parts, only the focus shifts to the din of panchayat elections. And since it’s politics, jhoot, fareb and manipulation are expectedly the order of the day. Yet, there is a touching earnestness and disarming quality even to the political games the panchayat head and his opponents indulge in.
What we have often seen playing out at the macro level in Indian politics does find its micro version here, not as reprehensible though. Voters being wooed through the free supply of potatoes by the Opposition and samosas by the ruling group cannot possibly count as an outright vile, corrupt practice. But the goings-on, often amusing ones like the bid to outdo each other in the cleanliness drive, do point to how voters are won over or influenced.
Among the many plus points of the series, each actor, major or minor, continues to shine like a gem. Not a single actor or character seems out of place. While excellent performances are only expected from the likes of its lead actors — Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta as Manju Devi and Raghubir Yadav as the village pradhan — what is most heartening is how the other characters find due space and deference. The ensemble cast anyway features some of the finest we have.
Consistency defines the portrayal of Prahlad Pandey by Faisal Malik, father of a martyr who continues to emote and impress with his eyes. Even the rather abominable MLA, Chandra Kishore Singh (Pankaj Jha is stellar), has many beats and notes in his portrayal. Mark his dancing moves in the finale. And then, Ashok Pathak’s Binod is simply superb. Watch him in the episode where the pradhan and his group try to break him away from his allegiance to Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) and in another one where his emotive reaction to his party’s win is exemplary. It’s moments like these which make the series strike a triumphant note.
The election result might come as a shock to audiences, but is very much in sync with what the season is trying to establish.
A brief and impressive cameo by theatre thespian Ram Gopal Bajaj as Manju’s father and moral compass of the season, who reminds Abhishek of the need to be impartial, hints clearly in what ethical direction the series is leading us. In politics clearly, there are no permanent heroes or villains.
Music by Anurag Saikia cements the mood and election symbols lauki (gourd) and pressure cooker and chuckle-worthy election slogans like “cooker mein lauki pakayenge, Phulera ko mukti dilayenge” bring out the sharpness of the pen.
Writer Chandan Kumar manages to infuse sufficient allure to the series as it continues to paint a quaint picture of rural life, lends it a new edge as well as upholds progressive values.
In the eight-episode series, the humour switch might have been toned down a bit, but not its relatability or the ability to strike home. Familiarity with a twist in tow still breeds comfort and warmth.
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