Neena Gupta on Manju Devi's Journey in Panchayat: "If Women Want to Lead, They Absolutely Can"
Mumbai — As Panchayat Season 4 gears up for its highly anticipated release on June 24 on Prime Video, veteran actress Neena Gupta is reflecting on the powerful evolution of her character Manju Devi, the Pradhan (village chief) of Phulera. Known for her grounded yet commanding portrayal, Gupta says her role is a testament to the fact that women, if they choose to, can step up and lead—even in deeply patriarchal rural settings.
A Turning Point in Season 1: The Flag Hoisting Scene
“My growth with Panchayat really began in Season 1, especially during the flag hoisting scene— that was Manju Devi’s turning point,” Gupta revealed.
She notes that this scene marked the beginning of her character’s gradual transformation—from a passive village head in name to a woman realizing her own power.
“In most villages, women are often okay with not knowing or learning certain things, but what I loved about my character was that she decided to break that pattern.”
"Change Doesn’t Happen Overnight"
Over the seasons, Manju Devi evolves from a figurehead Pradhan to someone more involved, assertive, and respected in her village. Gupta emphasized that the character’s growth mirrored real-life change, which is often slow, layered, and filled with small wins.
“She slowly became more firm, more curious, and eventually more independent. And that kind of change doesn’t happen overnight— in real life, it’s a slow process.”
Tackling the Reality of "Pradhanpati" Culture
Gupta didn’t shy away from pointing out how the "Pradhanpati" phenomenon—where husbands unofficially take on the responsibilities of elected female village heads—is still widespread in India.
“The concept of Pradhanpati still exists in many parts of the country. Through this series, I’m so glad we could show that if women want to take charge and lead, they absolutely can.”
Sunita Rajwar on Playing Kranti Devi: A Portrait of Equality and Strength
Another standout female character in Panchayat is Kranti Devi, played by actress Sunita Rajwar. Rajwar shared that she was drawn to Kranti for how she embodies strength and equality, breaking the stereotype of a “simple housewife.”
“What drew me to her character was how she stands tall, not just beside her husband, but as an equal.”
She continued:
“She’s not just a housewife from a village—she thinks and reacts like any empowered woman would, no matter where she comes from.”
When Real Life Mirrors Fiction
Sunita Rajwar revealed that playing Kranti Devi has impacted her personally too.
“I’ve truly loved embodying this side of her. And when you get close to a character like this, you start relating to them in your own life, too.”
“At the end of the day, we’re all human—we all carry a bit of innocence within us. It’s not just the audience who connects with the character; the actor does too. I feel genuinely happy and grateful to play her.”
A Stellar Cast and a Strong Creative Team
Season 4 of Panchayat features a beloved ensemble cast that includes:
- Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi (the Gram Panchayat Secretary),
- Neena Gupta as Manju Devi,
- Raghubir Yadav as her husband and unofficial Pradhanpati,
- Faisal Malik as Prahlad,
- Chandan Roy as Vikas,
- Sanvikaa as Rinki,
- Durgesh Kumar,
- Sunita Rajwar, and
- Pankaj Jha as the rival MLA Chandrakishore Singh.
The show continues to be produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), a content studio known for blending humor, realism, and emotion.
- Created by: Deepak Kumar Mishra & Chandan Kumar
- Written by: Chandan Kumar
- Directed by: Deepak Kumar Mishra & Akshat Vijaywargiya
What to Expect from Panchayat Season 4
While Amazon Prime Video has kept the plot of Panchayat Season 4 under wraps, fans expect deeper political intrigue, evolving village dynamics, and even more focus on women’s empowerment through authentic storytelling.
Each season of Panchayat has been praised for its realistic portrayal of rural India, nuanced characters, and subtle commentary on gender roles, politics, and society.
A Cultural Touchstone for Modern India
The success of Panchayat lies not just in its entertainment value but in its ability to reflect real-life struggles and triumphs of rural India. By portraying women like Manju Devi and Kranti Devi with honesty and depth, the series continues to resonate with audiences across age groups and geographies.
Final Thoughts
With Panchayat Season 4 releasing on June 24, viewers can expect more emotional depth, quiet revolutions, and character-driven storytelling. For actresses like Neena Gupta and Sunita Rajwar, the series is more than just a project—it’s a powerful narrative of change.
As Neena Gupta aptly puts it:
“If women want to take charge and lead, they absolutely can.”