Released on June 24, 2025, Panchayat Season 4 on Amazon Prime Video brings viewers back to the fictional village of Phulera, picking up where the dramatic third season left off. Starring Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi (Sachiv Ji), Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, and Raghubir Yadav as Brij Bhushan Dubey (Pradhan Ji), this season dives deep into the political undercurrents of a panchayat election. While it retains the show’s signature charm, it struggles to balance its roots in simplicity with an ambitious shift toward political drama, leaving fans with a bittersweet experience.
The season opens with tension lingering from the previous cliffhanger—Pradhan Ji recovering from a gunshot wound and Abhishek grappling with the aftermath of a police case filed against him. The narrative quickly pivots to the upcoming panchayat elections, pitting Manju Devi against Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar), with their respective husbands, Pradhan Ji and Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar), steering the campaigns. This election becomes the season’s backbone, unfolding over eight episodes that blend humor, drama, and a touch of romance between Abhishek and Rinki (Sanvikaa). However, the heavy focus on politics dilutes the organic storytelling that once defined the series.
Neena Gupta shines as Manju Devi, evolving from a passive figurehead to a decisive leader. Her character’s growth is a highlight, especially in scenes where she challenges her husband’s missteps and takes charge of the campaign. Sunita Rajwar’s Kranti Devi brings a fiery antagonist, her electrifying presence making every confrontation memorable. Jitendra Kumar’s Abhishek remains the emotional anchor, though his character feels static, torn between his CAT exam aspirations and the village’s chaos. Supporting actors like Faisal Malik (Prahlad) and Chandan Roy (Vikas) add depth, with Prahlad’s quiet grief over his son’s death offering poignant moments.
The election plot, however, overstays its welcome. The rivalry between the camps leads to repetitive one-upmanship—samosa distributions, generator promises, and public cleaning drives—that lacks the fresh humor of earlier seasons. The pacing drags, with the result revealed only in the final episode, by which point the suspense feels forced. Subplots, such as the unresolved shooting mystery and the Abhishek-Rinki romance, stagnate, leaving fans wanting more development. The introduction of new characters, like Swanand Kirkire as the MP, adds quirkiness but feels underutilized.
The show’s strength lies in its dialogue and character interactions. Lines like Pradhan Ji’s “Phulera mein phool ke paas ab kaanta aa gaya hai” encapsulate the shift from innocence to conflict. Humorous exchanges, such as the drunken men’s group chats, provide relief, while Prahlad’s understated sorrow keeps the emotional core intact. Yet, the writing struggles to maintain the anthology-like quality of past seasons, where each episode stood alone while building a larger narrative. This season feels more like a setup for Season 5, with plot points—like the MLA’s ousting and the election outcome—left dangling.
Visually, the series retains its rustic appeal, with the Mahodiya village setting offering a vivid backdrop. Anurag Saikia’s soundtrack complements the mood, echoing the satire of Peepli Live, but the background score sometimes overemphasizes emotional beats, disrupting the natural flow. The production quality remains consistent, though the political focus overshadows the subtle social commentary that once set Panchayat apart.
Fan reactions are mixed. Some appreciate the heartfelt moments and the cast’s chemistry, while others lament the loss of simplicity, with posts on social platforms calling it “dragged” or “dull.” The election result—Kranti Devi’s victory by 73 votes—surprises, setting up a new dynamic for the next season. Abhishek’s CAT success and the hinted romance with Rinki offer hope, but the neglect of core friendships and unresolved threads like the shooting leave a sense of incompleteness.
Panchayat Season 4 is a comfort watch for loyalists, relying heavily on its stellar cast to carry a narrative that feels overstretched. It captures a world where genuine concerns drive action—Bhushan fixing a transformer, Abhishek fetching water for an injured rival—but lacks the grand twists or emotional highs of its predecessors. As Phulera’s politics overshadow its charm, the season serves as a bridge to future stories rather than a standalone chapter. For now, it’s a gentle, lived-in experience that doesn’t push boundaries, leaving viewers curious yet cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead in Season 5.
