Panchayat Season 4 Review: Political Ambitions Meet Familiar Comfort, but With Uneven Impact
A still from Season 4 of "Panchayat" | Image Source: YouTube/Prime Video India
Streaming now on Amazon Prime Video, Panchayat Season 4 marks the show's most ambitious thematic leap yet. Once celebrated for its slice-of-life storytelling and minimalist comedy, Panchayat now stands at a narrative crossroad — one foot in the dusty lanes of Phulera, and the other in the messy world of rural politics. While the show retains much of its charm, this season’s attempt at deepening its stakes results in a somewhat inconsistent blend of drama, mystery, and comedy.
What’s New in Season 4?
The new season picks up just days after the cliffhanger finale of Season 3. Brij Bhushan Dubey (played by the ever-reliable Raghubir Yadav) is recovering from a near-fatal shooting incident, and Abhishek Tripathi (played by Jitendra Kumar) is dealing with potential legal trouble for initiating a scuffle with rival Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar). Meanwhile, the upcoming Panchayat elections become the battleground for the season’s primary plot.
Key plot developments:
- Brij Bhushan’s assailant remains a mystery.
- Tensions rise as Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) positions herself against sitting Pradhan Manju Devi (Neena Gupta).
- Abhishek’s CAT results and career anxieties take a backseat.
- Local politics turn increasingly murky as former MLA Chandrakishore Singh (Pankaj Jha) is sidelined.
This season carries the pressure of elevating the stakes. But in doing so, it risks alienating viewers who tuned in for the simple, slice-of-village-life humor the show originally promised.
A Shift in Genre: Political Drama or Comfort Comedy?
Perhaps the most striking change in Season 4 is the shift in tone. The writers have chosen to weave in heavy political subplots — electoral manipulation, disinformation, sabotage — and even dip into the realm of Whodunnit as the mystery of Brij Bhushan’s attacker unfolds.
“Politics is about lies, deceit, and manipulation,” Brij Bhushan states in a moment of raw honesty — only for the gravity of that truth to be undercut seconds later with a comedic gag.
This abrupt switch in tone is where Panchayat struggles. Its core identity as a comfort watch is at odds with the tension-heavy themes it now tries to explore.
Still a Boy’s Club? Gender Gaps Persist
Despite being the elected village head (Pradhan), Manju Devi (played by Neena Gupta) remains largely sidelined from meaningful political strategy. Her role is reduced to being a public face for her husband’s campaign. Kranti Devi, her rival, is more vocal and active but still exists in opposition to the patriarchal politics dominated by Brij Bhushan and Bhushan.
Observation: “The male characters get all the serious conversations. The women continue to orbit around the men’s plans, not their own,” notes Delhi-based TV critic Rashmi Sharma.
This imbalance is glaring, especially in a season so invested in political representation.
A Season Meant to Set Up the Future?
Season 4 seems to serve more as a narrative bridge than a standalone chapter. It lines up plot threads, introduces new rivalries, and deepens character arcs — all seemingly in preparation for a more explosive Season 5.
Possible setups for Season 5:
- Abhishek’s final decision on his CAT results and whether he stays or leaves Phulera.
- Kranti Devi’s next political maneuver, especially if she loses the election.
- Fallout from the revelation of Brij Bhushan’s attacker.
- Further splintering within the political alliances in the village.
This setup-first approach is a gamble. While it builds anticipation, it also leaves many current arcs underdeveloped or unresolved.
What Still Works? The Heart of Panchayat
Amid the thematic transitions, Panchayat still shines where it always has:
- Strong performances from its cast: Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, and Chandan Roy (as Vikas) are in excellent form.
- Dry humor and awkward silences that draw out laughs without flashy writing.
- Beautifully shot sequences that capture the stillness of rural India.
- Grounded dialogue that avoids overdramatization.
Despite its struggles, the show retains a unique voice that makes it stand apart from typical OTT fare.
Viewer Reactions: Mixed, But Hopeful
The audience seems divided. While some praise the show for maturing into a more complex narrative, others miss the simplicity and predictability that defined earlier seasons.
On X (formerly Twitter), viewer @CA_Abhinav posted:
“Season 4 of #Panchayat is good, but the political stuff feels a little too stretched. Miss the quiet moments between Abhishek and Vikas.”
Meanwhile, @Meera_Anand tweets:
“Still the best show on Indian OTT. Even a slightly off Panchayat season is better than most full seasons of other shows.”
The Bigger Picture: Panchayat’s Place in Indian Streaming
With a fifth season likely in the works, Panchayat is steadily becoming one of the longest-running and most loved Indian streaming originals. In an OTT space crowded with over-the-top thrillers and underwhelming rom-coms, its commitment to portraying Indian village life — even with its growing political lens — gives it a unique cultural resonance.
Fun Fact: According to Prime Video India’s internal metrics (as reported by Mint), Panchayat Season 3 was one of the most-watched Indian shows of 2023, topping viewership charts even in urban metros.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Yes — but with recalibrated expectations.
If you go in expecting a light-hearted detour into Phulera’s daily rhythms, you may find yourself caught off-guard by the show’s deeper political undertones. But if you're ready for the series to grow up a bit and take narrative risks, there's enough here to hold your attention — and enough left unresolved to bring you back for more.
Takeaway for Viewers
- Streaming now: All 8 episodes of Panchayat Season 4 on Amazon Prime Video.
- Best suited for: Fans of village life dramas, grounded comedy, and political intrigue.
- Expect: Slower pace, heavier themes, and a season more focused on setup than resolution.
Certainly! Here's the updated ending of the article with a final star rating included:
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Yes — but with recalibrated expectations.
If you go in expecting a light-hearted detour into Phulera’s daily rhythms, you may find yourself caught off-guard by the show’s deeper political undertones. But if you're ready for the series to grow up a bit and take narrative risks, there's enough here to hold your attention — and enough left unresolved to bring you back for more.
Takeaway for Viewers
- Streaming now: All 8 episodes of Panchayat Season 4 on Amazon Prime Video.
- Best suited for: Fans of village life dramas, grounded comedy, and political intrigue.
- Expect: Slower pace, heavier themes, and a season more focused on setup than resolution.
⭐ TheTrendingPeople.com Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Panchayat Season 4 dares to shift tone and take narrative risks, but stumbles in balancing political depth with its original charm. Still, its heart remains intact — and so does our hope for a stronger Season 5.
