Panchayat, the heartwarming rural drama that made us fall in love with the village of Phulera, takes a sharp turn in Season 4. What once felt like a light, funny, and emotional show now leans heavily into political drama. In this Panchayat Season 4 review, we’ll look at whether this new direction works or if it’s a step away from what fans truly loved about the show.
From Lighthearted Village Life to Full-On Politics
Earlier seasons of Panchayat gave us charming stories of a young city man, Abhishek Tripathi, adjusting to a quiet village posting. We laughed with him, felt his frustration, and enjoyed the chemistry between him and the local villagers. The problems were simple yet meaningful — a missing chair, a water issue, or the exchange of slippers becoming a major event.
But in Panchayat Season 4, the focus has completely shifted to the Gram Panchayat elections. The political rivalry between Manju Devi (played by Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) dominates the story. Their election symbols — lauki (bottle gourd) and pressure cooker — become central to the campaign drama. While the setup is realistic, the show now feels more like a rural political thriller than a slice-of-life comedy.
Panchayat Season 4 Review: Too Much Politics, Too Little Heart
One of the biggest criticisms from fans is that Panchayat Season 4 has lost its emotional balance. In earlier seasons, politics was just a background — a tool to highlight the daily challenges of villagers. But this time, the political tension takes over the entire narrative. From heated campaign speeches to samosa and laddoo distribution to win votes, the show feels loud and slightly off-tone.
There are long and somewhat tiring segments focused on toilet politics, Swachh Bharat references, and fake allegations against villagers. While these might reflect the reality of elections in small towns, they don’t offer the same charm and depth the series is known for. Instead of humor and heart, many scenes feel repetitive and stretched.
Beloved Characters Get Lost in the Political Noise
A big part of Panchayat’s success was its relatable and lovable characters. Sadly, Season 4 doesn’t give them enough space to grow. Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), once the relatable outsider with dreams and dilemmas, feels more like a background character reacting to everything around him.
Pradhan-Pati Brij Bhushan (Raghubir Yadav), one of the most entertaining and wise characters in the show, is seen less often. His impactful dialogues and grounded advice are sorely missed. Vikas (Chandan Roy) and Prahlad (Faisal Malik), who earlier brought both comedy and depth, are underutilized. Even Prahlad’s emotional journey after his son’s death is rushed and lacks the sensitivity it deserves.
Female characters also don’t shine this season. Manju Devi, who was on her way to becoming a strong village leader, once again fades into the background. Kranti Devi, meant to be a strong opponent, becomes a loud caricature. Rinki (Sanvikaa) and her personal goals are not explored properly, which feels like a lost opportunity.
Where Did the Signature Humor of Panchayat Go?
What made Panchayat truly special was its simple, situational humor. It never tried too hard — the funny moments came from real-life situations, awkward interactions, and smart writing. Unfortunately, in Season 4, the humor feels less natural and more forced.
That said, there are still a few bright moments. Pradhan Ji accidentally cursing in front of his father-in-law brings a good laugh. The men’s group sending “Hi” texts to each other during a drink is another light and funny scene. Bhushan’s constant competition with Pradhan Ji over potatoes and samosas adds some comic relief.
But these moments are too few, and most of the comedy relies on loud dialogues or flat jokes. The emotional and humorous balance that earlier seasons handled so well is missing this time.
What Still Works in Panchayat Season 4 Episodes?
Despite the heavy political plot, there are some positives in Season 4. The cinematography remains top-notch, beautifully capturing the essence of rural Bihar. The visuals — from narrow lanes to election rallies — are authentic and vibrant.
Faisal Malik as Prahlad continues to impress with his subtle and emotional acting. Even in his limited scenes, he leaves a strong impact. Raghubir Yadav, though not used much, brings depth to every scene he’s in. Side characters like Binod (Ashok Pathak) and Madhav (Bulloo Kumar) get more screen time and add layers to the village’s political setup.
One thing that still stands out is how food is used as a storytelling tool. Whether it’s samosas to bribe voters or laddoos predicting the election results, the writers cleverly use local food culture to drive the plot forward.
Abhishek and Rinki’s Romance Finally Begins – But Feels Rushed
After three seasons of stolen glances and awkward silences, fans finally get to see some romantic development between Abhishek and Rinki. The “L-word” finally makes an appearance, and their scenes together have a sweet and emotional vibe.
However, their story also feels rushed. Their romantic moments are brief and squeezed between election chaos. A scene where they go on a quiet date could have been more impactful if it had more time to breathe. Also, the subplot about Abhishek’s CAT result and the question of whether he’ll leave Phulera adds tension but isn’t explored deeply.
Panchayat Season 4 Final Verdict: Worth Watching or Not?
So, here’s the honest Panchayat Season 4 review. The season still has strong acting, great visuals, and a few emotional moments. But the focus on politics and elections takes away the show’s heart. The charm of Phulera – its simplicity, character relationships, and natural humor – is missing for the most part.
If you’re a die-hard fan, you might still enjoy some parts and stay hopeful for Season 5. But new viewers or casual fans may find this season a bit off track. Our final rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
What Panchayat Season 5 Needs to Fix
Season 5 has the chance to bring the show back to its roots. Here’s what needs to happen:
Reduce the political drama and bring back personal, everyday village stories.
Give more screen time and depth to the core characters.
Develop Abhishek and Rinki’s relationship properly.
Focus on humor that comes naturally from situations, not forced jokes.
Let women characters like Manju Devi and Rinki grow and lead.
Panchayat was never about dirty politics. It was about finding joy, struggles, and humor in ordinary village life. That’s the real plot it needs to rediscover.
Web Stories
Pingback: The Family Man Season 3 Release Date and Cast Leaked: Jaideep Ahlawat Vs. Manoj Bajpayee? - SpicySaga Blogs