Panchayat Season 4 Review: Phulera’s Charm Fades Amid Political Chaos

By Deepti
info@impressivetimes.com

Rating: ★★.5
Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra
Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Roy, Sunita Rajwar, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak, Sanvikaa, Pankaj Jha

Panchayat, once hailed as a breakthrough in Indian digital content, stood apart for its quiet charm and slice-of-life storytelling. Amid crime thrillers and noisy action, it gave viewers something rare: a heartfelt look at rural India. But with Season 4, the show appears to have lost its original flavor.

The latest chapter, set against the backdrop of Panchayat elections in Phulera, replaces human stories with murky politics. Unfortunately, this shift affects the emotional depth and freshness that made the show popular in the first place.

Set just weeks after the events of Season 3, the new season follows Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Pradhan Ji (Raghubir Yadav) as they prepare for their toughest political battle yet—against Kranti Devi and Bhushan (played by Sunita Rajwar and Durgesh Kumar).

Meanwhile, Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), once neutral, is now actively campaigning. However, Phulera’s political landscape has changed, and winning this time may not be as easy.

What Went Wrong This Season?

Unlike previous seasons, which thrived on self-contained stories within a broader narrative, Season 4 feels weighed down by the election arc. The charm of ordinary village life is replaced by political scheming and formulaic storytelling.

Transitions between episodes feel less organic, and many scenes lack the subtle humor and emotional connect the series once mastered. The show seems to chase complexity at the cost of its essence—relatability and realism.

Perhaps the biggest misstep is with Pradhan Ji’s character. Once portrayed as clever yet kind-hearted, this season shows him leaning into vote-bank politics. His transformation feels abrupt and underexplained, reducing a layered character into a typical political figure.

Similarly, Bhushan and Kranti Devi are written as flat villains, complete with dramatic background music. There is little effort to add nuance or humanity to their motives, which weakens the central conflict.

Where Season 4 Still Delivers

Despite its flaws, Panchayat 4 isn’t entirely without merit. The character arc of Vinod (Ashok Pathak) is a standout. Much like Prahlad’s emotional journey in Season 2, Vinod’s growth offers sincerity and depth, helped by Pathak’s touching performance.

In terms of performances, the supporting cast carries the season. Raghubir Yadav, despite a poorly written arc, still manages to shine. Durgesh Kumar, Chandan Roy, Sunita Rajwar, and Ashok Pathak add life to the otherwise predictable narrative. Neena Gupta and Jitendra Kumar, although talented, seem underutilized as their characters take a backseat to the plot.

Season 4 is not a failure, but it doesn’t live up to the high bar set by earlier seasons. The heart of Phulera still beats, but it’s muffled under the weight of electoral drama. A few new characters—like the electrician and Manju Devi’s father—offer hope. Some returning faces bring familiarity. However, the storytelling lacks the spark that once made Panchayat unmissable.

If you come looking for laughs, nostalgia, and warmth, you’ll find less of it this time. Still, for loyal fans, Panchayat 4 offers just enough to keep watching—though perhaps with tempered expectations.