The much-anticipated return to Phulera, Panchayat Season 4, arrived on Amazon Prime Video, promising a fresh dose of rustic charm and relatable humour centred around the high-stakes drama of a village election. While Jitendra Kumar’s Sachiv Ji (Abhishek Tripathi) remains our anchor in this quirky world, this season struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessors, feeling underwhelming with scattered narratives and a perceptible dimming of its once-effervescent appeal.
Back in Phulera: The Election Gambit
Picking up after the events of Season 3, Season 4 plunges headfirst into the chaotic yet inevitable world of Panchayat elections. Abhishek, now more settled yet still yearning for his elusive engineering dreams, finds himself reluctantly entangled in the campaign. Pradhan Ji (Neena Gupta) faces a formidable challenge from the cunning Bhushan Sharma (Durgesh Kumar), setting the stage for political machinations, alliances, and betrayals familiar to the Indian rural landscape. The core premise – democracy at its most grassroots and gritty – holds immense potential.
Performances: The Steady Pillars
The cast remains the series’ strongest asset, delivering performances steeped in authenticity:
Jitendra Kumar: Effortlessly embodies Abhishek’s weary resignation mixed with moments of genuine empathy and frustration. His comic timing, especially in deadpan reactions, remains impeccable.
Neena Gupta: As Pradhan Ji, Gupta masterfully portrays the vulnerability and steely resolve of a leader fighting to retain her position amidst personal and political storms.
Raghubir Yadav: Yadav’s Prahlad Pandey is a consistent source of warmth and wisdom, though his character feels slightly sidelined this season.
Durgesh Kumar: Bhushan Sharma emerges as a more fleshed-out antagonist, with Kumar skillfully balancing sly ambition with a hint of desperation.
Faisal Malik & Chandan Roy: Vikas and Binod continue to provide reliable comic relief, though their subplots often feel tangential to the main election thrust.
The Fraying Fabric: Where Season 4 Underwhelms
Unfortunately, the execution falters:
Scattered Plots: The central election narrative often feels diluted by numerous subplots – Rinki’s (Sanvikaa) aspirations, Banrakas’s (Sunita Rajwar) antics, Vikas’s schemes, Binod’s woes. While individually charming, they lack cohesion, pulling focus away from the core drama and preventing any single thread from achieving real depth or impact. The pacing suffers as a result.
Faded Charm: The unique blend of gentle humour, poignant observation, and quiet charm that defined earlier seasons feels less potent. The jokes, while present, sometimes land softly. The profound insights into rural life and human nature feel fewer and further between, replaced by more conventional sitcom-like situations that lack the earlier seasons’ subtlety.
Underwhelming Election Drama: Despite the high stakes, the election campaign itself lacks consistent tension or truly surprising twists. The political manoeuvring feels predictable at times, failing to capitalise fully on the inherent drama of the premise. The resolution feels somewhat rushed and anticlimactic.
Underutilised Potential: Characters like Prahlad Cha Master and Manju Devi (Pradhan Ji’s daughter) have moments but aren’t given significant arcs. New additions fail to make a lasting impression.
Moments of Respite
It’s not without merit. Isolated scenes – particularly quieter moments between Abhishek and Prahlad, or Pradhan Ji grappling with her doubts – resonate with the show’s original spirit. The production design continues to authentically capture the essence of rural North India, and the dialogue retains flashes of its characteristic wit. The soundtrack remains pleasantly unobtrusive.
The Verdict: A Lukewarm Return to Phulera
Panchayat Season 4 review consensus points towards a season that feels like a step down. While the performances remain solid and the setting comforting, the scattered storytelling, diluted charm, and underwhelming execution of its central election plot prevent it from reaching the heights of Seasons 1 and 2, or even the more dramatic Season 3. It’s still watchable for devoted fans invested in the characters of Phulera, but it lacks the cohesive brilliance and consistent emotional punch that made the series a phenomenon. It feels less like essential viewing and more like a pleasant, albeit slightly disappointing, revisit.
Should You Watch?
For Die-Hard Fans: Yes, to stay with the characters, but manage expectations.
For Newcomers: Absolutely not. Start from Season 1.
Overall: A 3 out of 5 stars offering. It provides comfort but lacks the sparkle and narrative focus of its best outings.
Where to Watch Panchayat Season 4 & Deals
All seasons of Panchayat, including Season 4, are exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video in India.
Prime Video Subscription: Access requires an Amazon Prime membership.
Current Prime Deals (Subject to Change):
Annual Plan: Often the best value at approx. ₹1,499/year (includes Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, and free/faster delivery on Amazon.in).
Quarterly Plan: Around ₹459 for three months.
Monthly Plan: ₹299 per month.
Mobile Edition: A cheaper tier (around ₹599/year or ₹99/month) for mobile-only access, often including Panchayat. Check current plans on Amazon.
Free Trial: New users can typically avail a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime.
Panchayat Season 4 Review: FAQs
Is Panchayat Season 4 worth watching?
For loyal fans, yes, to continue the story, but it’s widely considered the weakest season due to scattered plots and less impactful humour/drama. New viewers should start from Season 1.
What is the main plot of Panchayat Season 4?
The season centres on the election for the Pradhan (village head) position in Phulera, with Pradhan Ji (Manju Devi) facing a strong challenge from Bhushan Sharma, pulling Abhishek into the campaign chaos.
Why are critics saying Panchayat Season 4 is underwhelming?
Common criticisms include too many unfocused subplots distracting from the main election narrative, a noticeable decline in the show’s signature charm and subtle humour, and a lack of real tension or surprise in the political drama.
Are the original cast members in Season 4?
Yes, Jitendra Kumar (Abhishek), Neena Gupta (Pradhan Ji), Raghubir Yadav (Prahlad), Faisal Malik (Vikas), Chandan Roy (Binod), Durgesh Kumar (Bhushan), and Sanvikaa (Rinki) all return.
How many episodes are in Panchayat Season 4?
Season 4 consists of 8 episodes, consistent with previous seasons.
Where can I watch Panchayat Season 4 in India?
All seasons stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. You need an active Amazon Prime subscription.
Does Panchayat Season 4 end on a cliffhanger?
Without major spoilers, it resolves the central election plot but leaves Abhishek’s long-term career and personal trajectory open-ended, setting up potential future storylines without a dramatic Season 3-style cliffhanger.
Final Word
This Panchayat Season 4 review finds a beloved show showing signs of fatigue. While the heart of Phulera still beats, it’s less vigorous this time around. The scattered focus and faded charm make it a season for completionists rather than one that reignites the show’s former glory. One hopes that if a Season 5 materialises, the writers rediscover the tight storytelling and profound simplicity that made Panchayat a national treasure.
