Panchayat Season 4 (2025) Web Series: Missing the Magic That Made Phulera Special
Panchayat Season 4 marks the return of one of India’s most beloved rural comedy-drama series, streaming on Amazon Prime Video from June 24, 2025. This latest season brings back the familiar charm of Phulera village while diving deeper into political complexities. Created by The Viral Fever (TVF) and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the series continues following Abhishek Tripathi, an engineering graduate reluctantly serving as a panchayat secretary.
The series features its core cast including Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi, Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, Raghubir Yadav as Brij Bhushan Dubey, along with Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, and others. Written by Chandan Kumar, this season explores village politics while maintaining the subtle humor that made Panchayat critically acclaimed.
Plot and Storyline
Season 4 centers around the much-awaited village panchayat elections, where Pradhan’s and Bhushan’s camps battle to maintain the upper hand. The narrative follows Manju Devi taking on Kranti Devi in the primary electoral conflict. This political rivalry serves as the backbone of the season’s narrative.
The writers have expanded beyond the panchayat office, exploring how electoral politics affects village life. From campaign strategies to voter persuasion, the season delves into grassroots democracy mechanics. However, this focus sometimes comes at the expense of character-driven storytelling.
Cast Performances
Jitendra Kumar continues anchoring the series with his understated performance as Abhishek Tripathi. His portrayal of the reluctant civil servant remains convincing, though the character’s arc feels somewhat stagnant. Kumar’s ability to convey frustration and hope through subtle expressions keeps the character relatable.
Neena Gupta delivers another strong performance as Manju Devi, particularly navigating electoral politics complexities. Her natural charisma makes her political maneuvering both entertaining and believable. Raghubir Yadav as Pradhan Ji continues being a scene-stealer with impeccable comic timing.
What Works
The series excels in its authentic portrayal of rural India. Production design, costumes, and dialogue remain grounded in reality, creating an immersive experience. The show’s ability to find humor in bureaucratic processes while highlighting rural issues remains a strongest asset.
Political themes provide relevant commentary on grassroots democracy. The series effectively illustrates how personal relationships and local dynamics intersect in village politics. Cinematography and production values maintain high standards with beautiful rural landscapes.
What Could Be Better
The season received mixed reactions, with viewers commenting that Phulera feels more politics than comedy and describing episodes as boring and dragged. This points to the season’s primary weakness – imbalance between political drama and gentle humor.
Pacing issues become apparent in middle episodes where electoral storylines overshadow character development. Several episodes feel stretched with predictable plot developments. I found myself wanting more of those small, personal moments that made earlier seasons engaging.
Critical Reception
Recent reviews suggest the politics turns messier while the magic fades compared to previous seasons. Some critics expressed the season feels slow-paced. Despite mixed reviews, fans are already asking for Season 5, indicating core audience engagement remains strong.
Professional critics noted that while the series maintains technical competence, it struggles to recapture the effortless charm of earlier seasons. The shift toward explicit political themes sometimes feels forced rather than organic.
Technical Aspects
Direction by Deepak Kumar Mishra remains competent, maintaining naturalistic dialogue and performance approaches. Background score and sound design complement the rural setting effectively. The series avoids unnecessary musical flourishes, using ambient sounds to maintain realistic tone.
Final Verdict
Panchayat Season 4 finds itself at a crossroads, attempting to evolve while maintaining successful elements. The series provides authentic rural insights and competent performances but struggles with tonal balance and pacing issues.
I appreciate the series’ realistic approach to rural governance, though those seeking earlier seasons’ effortless charm may feel disappointed. Despite flaws, it remains worthwhile for fans interested in authentic portrayals of rural Indian politics.
Rating: 3/5
