Panchayat S4 Review: Phulera’s charm fades as politics, repetition take over

Panchayat Season 4 Review: Politics Overshadows Simplicity in Phulera

Rating: ★★.5

Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, Ashok Pathak, Pankaj Jha

Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

Once celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and grounded portrayal of rural life, Panchayat begins to lose its unique essence in Season 4. Set amidst the looming panchayat elections, the new season swaps emotional depth and simplicity for formulaic drama and political intrigue.

Following directly from Season 3, the story resumes with Phulera preparing for elections. Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Pradhan Ji (Raghubir Yadav) face strong opposition from Kranti Devi and Bhushan. Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), once neutral, is now actively involved in the campaign. However, this political intensity comes at a cost.

Unlike the anthology-style charm of earlier seasons, where each episode offered a standalone tale layered with wit and heart, Season 4 becomes heavily plot-driven. The murky politics dilute the human connection and relatability that once made the show a streaming gem.

Though the cast delivers earnest performances, especially Jitendra Kumar and Raghubir Yadav, the writing leans into repetition. The charm of Phulera feels strained, as the once-refreshing narrative turns predictable and overburdened with electoral drama.

Verdict:

While Panchayat still has moments that work, Season 4 feels like a step away from what made it special. It’s a reminder that even the most beloved shows can stumble when they drift too far from their roots.