Panchayat Season 4 Review: Politics Overshadows Charm

Panchayat returned with its much-awaited fourth season on 24 June 2025, streaming on Prime Video. The makers surprised fans by releasing it a week earlier than the announced date. Amazon promoted the show with creative outdoor campaigns across Indian cities, generating immense excitement. From giant pressure cooker installations crushing lauki models to quirky teasers, the marketing team kept the anticipation high. Audiences hoped the new season would deliver the same mix of humor, warmth, and subtle commentary that made the previous seasons memorable.

Storyline: More Politics, Less Simplicity

Panchayat Season 4 starts right where Season 3 ended. The attempted assassination on the bus leaves Pradhan ji injured, and Phulera finds itself on the edge. The election battle intensifies between Manju Devi and Kranti Devi, with the entire village divided by loyalties. Abhishek Tripathi continues his journey as the dedicated but often frustrated sachiv, navigating the village’s challenges while preparing for his future.

Abhishek clears the CAT exam this season, marking a personal victory amid all the village chaos. However, the show leaves several crucial threads open. The election results remain unresolved by the end, and viewers must wait for the next season to know if Pradhan ji secures another term.

The show’s narrative shifts heavily toward rural politics. While Panchayat earlier balanced lighthearted village tales with deeper themes, Season 4 leans into political conflict. The episodes explore power struggles, election tricks, and the harsh realities of local governance. Although this focus brings authenticity, it sacrifices the simplicity and charm that once defined the show.

Performances: The Cast Holds Strong

Jitendra Kumar once again shines as Abhishek Tripathi. He portrays the character’s internal struggles with remarkable subtlety, showing his growth as a professional and as a person torn between duty and ambition. His scenes, especially those showing his frustration with the system, connect deeply with viewers.

Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav continue to impress as Manju Devi and Pradhan ji. Neena Gupta brings dignity and quiet strength to Manju Devi, who navigates political complexities with increasing confidence. Raghubir Yadav delivers another heartfelt performance as the well-meaning but sometimes overwhelmed Pradhan ji. His moments with Abhishek and his family add emotional weight to the season.

Faisal Malik as Prahlad remains a highlight. His portrayal of loss, loyalty, and resilience brings a powerful human element to the political narrative. His scenes evoke empathy and show his ability to command attention even in ensemble settings.

Chandan Roy as Vikas offers small moments of relief. Though the humor feels toned down this season, Vikas manages to bring the occasional smile with his innocence and sincerity.

Tone and Pacing: A Shift That Divides Fans

Season 4 introduces a noticeably darker tone. The focus on elections, betrayals, and the tension of village politics creates an intense atmosphere. The lighthearted humor that earlier made the series a comfort watch appears far less frequently. Instead, the narrative unfolds slowly, building up the political drama at the expense of quicker, comedic exchanges.

Many viewers appreciated the realism and emotional depth the show brought to the table. They found the characters’ struggles and dilemmas authentic and relatable. However, others felt disappointed by the season’s pace. Some episodes dragged out conflicts without offering satisfying resolutions. The absence of the trademark humor left fans longing for the earlier balance between wit and wisdom.

Strengths of Season 4

1. Emotional depth – The characters’ personal journeys, especially Abhishek’s and Prahlad’s, feel genuine. The writing captures their hopes, frustrations, and heartbreaks without exaggeration.
2. Strong performances – Every actor delivers solid work. Their portrayals keep the audience invested, even when the story slows down.
3. Authentic portrayal of politics – The series presents rural politics in a raw, honest manner. The strategies, rivalries, and consequences reflect ground realities without glamourizing or diluting them.
4. Detailed production – The settings, costumes, and overall production values maintain high standards, reinforcing the show’s reputation for realism.

Weaknesses of Season 4

1. Reduced humor – The show’s wit and playful moments took a backseat this season. What earlier felt like a seamless blend of fun and depth now leans heavily toward serious drama.
2. Slow pacing – Several episodes could have trimmed unnecessary scenes. The story at times circles around the same conflicts, making it feel stretched.
3. Unresolved arcs – By the season’s end, crucial questions linger without closure. The election results and Abhishek’s next step remain unanswered, leaving fans hanging.

Audience Reactions

Fans flooded social media with mixed opinions. Many praised the acting and emotional beats but expressed disappointment with the pacing and humor gap. Some said they missed the light, feel-good tone that defined Phulera in the past. Others admired the show’s courage to tackle political narratives more seriously, even if it came at the cost of entertainment value.

Critics offered similar views. They acknowledged the series’ high production standards and excellent acting but pointed out that the shift toward heavy political drama reduced the show’s universal appeal. Some described the storytelling as dragged and felt that the season could have achieved greater impact with tighter editing and more balance between humor and seriousness.

Final Verdict

Panchayat Season 4 earns a 7 out of 10. The performances, emotional resonance, and honest depiction of rural politics keep it watchable. However, the slow pace, reduced humor, and unresolved plot threads limit its impact compared to earlier seasons. The show succeeds in deepening its characters and themes, but it loses some of the light-hearted charm that made it special.

Viewers who enjoy layered, character-driven dramas with authentic settings will find Season 4 rewarding. Those who cherished the easy humor and slice-of-life storytelling of earlier seasons might feel this installment falls short.

What Lies Ahead?

The open-ended conclusion of Season 4 clearly sets the stage for another season. Fans hope the makers will restore the show’s earlier balance of comedy and conflict in future episodes. With Abhishek’s CAT success, the Pradhan election outcome pending, and Phulera’s political future uncertain, the next season offers plenty of material to explore.

If the creators can merge political depth with the humor and simplicity that viewers loved, Panchayat can once again reclaim its position as one of India’s most beloved web series.