Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : For years, TVF's Panchayat has been a warm blanket in the often-chaotic world of Indian streaming—a show celebrated for its heartwarming simplicity, gentle humor, and authentic portrayal of village life. But with its fourth season, that beloved blanket feels like it has worn thin, leaving many viewers feeling a bit cold. The latest chapter in the story of Phulera sacrifices much of its unique charm at the altar of predictable politics and repetitive formulas.
The biggest and most jarring change in Season 4 is the overbearing focus on local politics. The gentle, observational humor that grew from the mundane realities of village life is bulldozed by predictable power plays. The entire season is heavily dominated by the upcoming election, pitting the Pradhan-ji (Raghubir Yadav) and Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) camp against their rivals, Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) and his crew. While this conflict was a subplot in previous seasons, it now takes center stage, suffocating the slice-of-life moments that made the show a phenomenon.
This intense focus on political maneuvering also sidelines its central characters. Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), our window into this world, feels more like a passive spectator in his own story rather than the protagonist. The endearing supporting cast, including Vikas and Prahlad, are often reduced to being pawns in the political game, their individual quirks and storylines taking a backseat. Even the budding romance between Abhishek and Rinki feels stagnant, given little room to breathe amidst the endless electioneering.
What made Panchayat a cultural touchstone was its authenticity. It felt real. Season 4, however, often feels like a different show—a more generic, plot-driven rural drama that has lost its unique identity. The humor feels more forced, the situations less organic, and the characters' actions are dictated more by the needs of the plot than their established personalities.
In the end, Panchayat Season 4 feels less like a complete, satisfying chapter and more like a long, drawn-out trailer for Season 5. While it's not without its moments, the magic is undeniably missing. The soul of Phulera feels like it’s on leave, and fans can only hope it returns for the next election.
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