Panchayat Season 4 (2025) Web Series: Why This Rural Gem Still Matters

The fourth season of TVF’s beloved web series Panchayat has finally arrived on Amazon Prime Video, bringing back the charm that made this show a household favorite. Created by TVF and directed by Deepak Mishra, this season continues following Abhishek Tripathi, the reluctant panchayat secretary. The series stands out for its authentic portrayal of rural India, steering clear of unnecessary drama while focusing on genuine human emotions.

Season 4 brings back the core cast including Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek, Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, Raghubir Yadav as Brij Bhushan Dubey, Faisal Malik as Prahlad Pandey, and Chandan Roy as Vikas. The show belongs to the comedy-drama genre but transcends typical boundaries by offering a slice-of-life narrative that feels more like a documentary about rural India.

Plot and Storyline

Season 4 centers around the much-awaited village panchayat elections, where Pradhan’s and Bhushan’s camps battle to maintain the upper hand. The narrative structure remains true to the series’ philosophy of finding extraordinary moments in ordinary situations. This season delves deeper into the political undercurrents that have been simmering beneath Phulera village.

The storyline masterfully weaves together multiple plot threads, from Abhishek’s ongoing career struggles to complex dynamics between village factions. However, I noticed that the political focus sometimes overshadows the intimate character moments that made earlier seasons so compelling.

What makes this season interesting is Abhishek’s evolution from reluctant outsider to someone deeply invested in village affairs. The writing maintains its trademark subtlety, allowing viewers to read between the lines about characters’ motivations.

Cast Performance

The fantastic acting from everyone continues to be a highlight, with some surprising old faces returning from season 1. Jitendra Kumar once again proves his versatility as Abhishek, bringing nuanced layers to a character who could easily have become one-dimensional. His portrayal captures the internal conflict perfectly.

Neena Gupta’s performance as Manju Devi remains a masterclass in understated acting. She brings depth and dignity to a character representing the changing face of rural women’s leadership. Her scenes often provide moments of genuine warmth that ground the series.

Raghubir Yadav continues being the comedic heart, but his performance goes beyond mere comic relief. Faisal Malik and Chandan Roy provide excellent support, creating a believable character ecosystem. The chemistry between cast members remains one of the series’ greatest strengths.

Direction and Cinematography

Deepak Kumar Mishra’s direction continues being understated yet effective, allowing story and characters to breathe without unnecessary flourishes. This minimalist approach works well for Panchayat, maintaining the documentary-like quality that makes the series feel authentic.

The cinematography deserves mention for capturing rural landscapes’ beauty without romanticizing them. The visual storytelling uses wide shots to establish rural life’s vastness and intimate close-ups for character emotions. However, I found the visual approach occasionally too restrained in scenes that could benefit from more dynamic camera work.

What Works

The series excels in authentic portrayal of rural life. Unlike many productions that either idealize or condescend to rural settings, Panchayat presents village life with honesty and respect. Character development remains exceptionally strong, with each major character showing growth throughout the season.

The humor deserves particular praise for its subtlety and intelligence. Rather than relying on slapstick, the series finds comedy in genuine situations. This approach creates moments that are both funny and meaningful, adding layers that reward careful attention.

Areas for Improvement

Some critics noted that Season 4 feels slower-paced, with one reviewer mentioning the season is snoozing till a point. The focus on electoral politics sometimes comes at expense of intimate character moments that made earlier seasons compelling.

The series occasionally struggles with balancing its cast, with some characters receiving less development than deserved. Certain storylines feel underdeveloped, leaving viewers wanting more exploration of specific relationships. The pacing can feel uneven, with some episodes moving too slowly while others try covering too much ground.

Critical Reception and Reviews

Season 4 has received mixed reviews, sparking debate among fans who are already asking for Season 5. The series maintains high ratings on platforms like IMDb and is celebrated as one of India’s best web series. Professional critics praised the series for its authentic representation of rural India.

However, some reviews noted this season feels less focused than predecessors, with political storyline sometimes overwhelming character-driven elements. Social media reactions have been mixed, with longtime fans expressing both appreciation and concerns about the series potentially losing original charm.

Technical Aspects

The series maintains high production values while keeping technical aspects appropriately understated. The background score continues complementing rather than dominating scenes, using traditional and contemporary musical elements to enhance rural atmosphere.

Sound design deserves recognition for attention to environmental details that help create the immersive rural setting. The editing maintains the series’ characteristic pacing, though some episodes could benefit from tighter cuts.

Final Verdict

Panchayat Season 4 remains a quality production that upholds the series’ reputation for authentic storytelling and excellent performances. While it may not reach earlier seasons’ heights due to pacing issues, it still offers enough heart, humor, and genuine human insight to satisfy fans.

The series continues being a valuable addition to Indian web series landscape, offering a refreshing alternative to high-concept dramas and urban-centric narratives. Its commitment to portraying rural life with dignity makes it culturally significant beyond entertainment value.

Despite some shortcomings in pacing and narrative focus, I believe Season 4 delivers solid entertainment with meaningful themes, strong performances, and the authentic atmosphere that has made Panchayat beloved.

Rating: 3.5/5