Panchayat Season 4 (2025) Web Series: Politics Over Heart in Phulera’s Battleground
The fourth season of TVF’s beloved comedy-drama Panchayat has finally arrived on Amazon Prime Video, bringing viewers back to the familiar lanes of Phulera village. Written by Chandan Kumar and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the show features Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, and the rest of the talented cast. This season continues Abhishek’s journey as the engineering graduate turned reluctant panchayat secretary.
The story centers around the much-awaited village panchayat elections, where different camps battle for control. The future of everyone, including Abhishek, hangs in the balance as political tensions rise in the peaceful village of Phulera.
Plot and Storyline
Season 4 shifts focus to the panchayat elections, creating a politically charged atmosphere quite different from previous seasons. The main conflict revolves around Manju Devi and Kranti Devi, both vying to lead the village. The season attempts to balance heavy political themes with the series’ trademark gentle humor and character moments.
However, the increased focus on electoral politics sometimes overshadows the intimate character studies that made earlier seasons compelling. The romantic subplot between Abhishek and Rinki continues to develop, providing lighter moments amidst the political drama.
Cast Performance
Jitendra Kumar returns as Abhishek, delivering another solid performance as the idealistic panchayat secretary. Though I felt his character arc this season was less compelling than previous installments, Kumar’s ability to convey internal conflict through subtle expressions remains impressive.
Raghubir Yadav continues to shine as Brij Bhushan Dubey, bringing gravitas to the electoral storyline. Neena Gupta steps into a more prominent role as Manju Devi, showcasing her range as she navigates political ambitions. The supporting cast maintains strong work, though some characters feel underutilized.
Direction and Writing
Deepak Kumar Mishra’s direction maintains the series’ visual style, though the tone feels noticeably different. The writing attempts to blend gentle humor with serious political commentary, with mixed results. While some episodes successfully balance these elements, others feel weighed down by political machinery.
The dialogue retains its naturalistic quality, with conversations feeling genuine and unforced. The cinematography continues capturing rural India’s beauty, with Phulera serving as more than just a backdrop.
What Works Well
The series maintains its commitment to authentic storytelling, avoiding exaggerated characterizations common in many web series. The cast continues to embody their roles effortlessly, making viewers connect with their struggles and joys. Production values remain consistently high, with attention to detail in costume design and set decoration.
Individual character moments, when they occur, are beautifully crafted. The series still excels at finding humor and humanity in everyday situations.
Areas for Improvement
The heavy focus on electoral politics sometimes comes at the expense of character development. I found the political storyline, while well-researched, occasionally felt heavy-handed compared to earlier seasons’ subtle approach. Some episodes feel stretched to accommodate the political narrative, affecting the overall pacing.
The balance between comedy and drama feels less refined than in previous installments. Many long-time fans have expressed mixed feelings about this new direction.
Critical Reception
The reception has been notably mixed compared to universal acclaim of previous seasons. Critics praised the series’ continued commitment to authentic storytelling while noting the political focus doesn’t always serve characters well. India Today gave it a mediocre 2.5/5 stars, calling it a disappointing return lacking emotional depth.
Social media responses have been divided, with some viewers describing it as providing ‘sukoon’ while others expressed disappointment. The performance quality remains high, though some feel the writing doesn’t give actors as much to work with.
Technical Quality
Production maintains high standards from previous seasons. The rural setting continues being portrayed with authenticity and respect. Costume design and art direction create a believable world that feels lived-in rather than constructed for television.
The editing generally serves the story well, though some episodes feel less tightly constructed. The background score remains understated and effective.
Final Verdict
Panchayat Season 4 represents a competent but somewhat disappointing return to Phulera village. While it maintains technical excellence and authentic performances, the shift toward political storytelling doesn’t serve characters as effectively as earlier seasons’ intimate focus.
I found the season succeeds in exploring relevant themes about democracy and governance at grassroots level. However, the overall impact feels less cohesive and emotionally satisfying than previous installments. For devoted fans, it offers enough familiar pleasures to be worthwhile, though it may leave them longing for simpler storytelling.
Rating: 3/5
