Panchayat Season 3 : Reviews with a new light

Panchayat Season 3 review: Picking up where it left off, the series headlined by Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, and Neena Gupta is now more ambitious.

The strength of Panchayat lies in its simplistic and relatable depiction of rural life. To their credit, the creators understand this well and have refrained from resorting to obvious gimmicks, even while integrating social commentary into the narrative. Staying true to its original tone and vibe, they have once again pushed the boundaries in the third season. The eight-part season explores bigger themes, allows its characters' arcs to develop further, and creates more dramatic moments.

The second season ended with a gut-punch when the death of Rahul, an army man and son of Phulera Panchayat’s deputy chief Prahlad (Faisal Malik), rocked the village. The climax saw Panchayat head Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) stopping the local MLA (Pankaj Jha) from trying to gain political mileage amidst the tragedy. Another cliffhanger was Panchayat secretary Abhishek Tripathy (Jitendra Kumar) facing a transfer.

When we meet them in Season 3, Prahlad is grieving the loss of his son. Manju Devi is now more involved in Panchayat affairs and appears more confident in handling political challenges. Abhishek is happy to be back in Phulera after his transfer is stalled. While the setting remains the same, the narrative now encompasses more drama and subplots.

Panchayat, written by Chandan Kumar (also credited as one of its co-creators), captures the essence of life in a remote village with remarkable accuracy. In the new season, the show delves deeper into its characters, revealing their desires and dreams, while maintaining its signature breeziness. Boasting an impressive ensemble cast, the show brings supporting characters like Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) to the forefront, with Vinod and Madhav, who gained popularity in the previous season, portrayed as his allies.

What’s fascinating this season is the subtle transformation of certain characters. Manju Devi, who was once content to stay behind the scenes and let her husband take charge, now displays her growing competence and political instincts as Sarpanch. The show, which has meticulously tracked her development, also portrays her as more supportive when her daughter Rinki (Sanvikaa) pursues a degree and later a job. The triumph of the show’s writing lies in its directness without being preachy. The changes in Manju Devi and Rinki are depicted as natural progressions rather than being overtly highlighted. Similarly, the Panchayat secretary, Abhishek, becomes more involved in village politics than he initially intended.

The main dramatic conflict this season centers on Phulera residents’ primary grievance: the lack of a proper road, with the MLA attempting to settle a score with Pradhan (Raghubir Yadav). Panchayat has distinguished itself among other shows set in smaller towns by avoiding violence and expletives. While the tension escalates in Phulera this season, the show resists the temptation to shock the audience with gratuitous violence. When a fight breaks out or a man is chased through a farming field, the scenes appear unchoreographed and authentic, in stark contrast to the stylized sequences prevalent on OTT platforms.

Understated charm and high drama in mundane village scenarios have been the show’s highlights. Panchayat capitalizes on these strengths while casting its net wider this season. However, the series remains firmly rooted in the familiar peculiarities and challenges of village life.