The fourth season of Panchayat, Amazon Prime Video’s hit rural dramedy, returns with all its familiar faces and a whole lot of political heat. But somewhere between Phulera’s dusty lanes and the aroma of freshly fried samosas, the charm that once defined this beloved show begins to dim just a little.
This time, the drama intensifies. The stakes are higher. And the power games, dirtier. At the centre of it all is still Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), the ever-conflicted ‘sachiv ji’, caught in a village that doesn’t quite let him go, despite his CAT preparation and dreams of moving on. While the show attempts to retain its trademark humour and laid-back storytelling, the tonal shift that began in Season 3 continues and not always for the better.Politics: No Longer Child’s Play
In one of the final episodes, Raghubir Yadav’s Brij Bhushan Dubey still called Pradhan ji even though his wife Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) is technically the elected head makes an honest observation: “Politics hai gudde-gudiyon ka khel nahin ki sab badhiya-badhiya hoga.” And that one line sums up the direction of Panchayat Season 4. Politics here is no longer innocent or playful. It’s murkier, more calculated, and at times, even nasty.
The rivalry between Manju Devi’s party (represented by the lauki symbol) and the opposition camp of Kranti Devi and Banrakas (their symbol being the pressure cooker) forms the backbone of the season’s narrative. The fight for the upcoming gram panchayat elections has intensified, bringing in new political tools some of them outright ugly.A Few Laughs, Many Laddoos
Yes, there are still those warm, LOL moments that remind you why you fell in love with Panchayat in the first place. Whether it’s Pradhan ji texting a casual “Hi” in their men’s WhatsApp group to initiate a drinking session, or his hilarious “Aye sasur!” moment with his real father-in-law at the table those scenes are little treasures in an otherwise serious season.
Faisal Malik as Prahlad-cha continues to shine. His character’s soft chuckles provide brief relief from the heavy cloud of grief that has followed him since Season 2. Meanwhile, the show uses food brilliantly as a motif whether it’s kachoris to soothe egos, samosas to gain voter favour, or laddoos to measure political confidence (the one who orders 50 kg made in desi ghee clearly believes in a win).
A standout scene shows Manju Devi using Bhutkun Chaiwala’s shop to serve her political goals. By distributing samosas under her name, she manages to gain favour among the villagers politics served hot with chutney on the side.Emotional Subplots and CAT Pressure
While politics remains the core, Panchayat Season 4 takes a deeper dive into personal arcs. The simmering slow-burn romance between Abhishek and Rinky (Sanvikaa) finally reaches a turning point with the long-awaited confession of love. But the joy is short-lived, shadowed by Abhishek’s future uncertainty and CAT results. Rinky’s question what if her mother loses the elections forces Abhishek into a corner. His response, “Phir toh resign karke nikal loonga,” doesn’t land well, and their walk-date ends in awkward silence.
It’s these quiet moments layered with longing, decisions, and unspoken fears that still ground Panchayat in emotional authenticity, even when the external noise grows louder.Secondary Characters Step Up
One of the biggest wins this season is how much attention is given to the show’s side characters, especially those in the opposition. Binod (Ashok Pathak) and Madhav (Buloo Kumar) are given room to move beyond comic relief and become full-fledged players in the plot. This depth adds complexity and makes the political chessboard of Phulera more engaging.
There’s also an interesting attempt by Manju Devi to break the enemy ranks. In a cheeky scene, she tries to woo Binod over to her side with delicious food and sweet seviyan. It’s a subtle power move and a reminder that in Panchayat, political strategy often arrives in tiffins and steel plates.Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Panchayat Season 4 might not have the full freshness of its earlier seasons, but it still carries a beating heart and a lived-in warmth that fans will appreciate. If you’re already invested in the lives of Phulera’s residents, you’ll likely stay till the end and wait for Season 5 too. But for casual viewers, the slower pacing and heavier tone might be a bit of a shift from the breezy beginnings of the show.