Gram Chikitsalay Review: The Series Walks The Panchayat Path — With Less Impact But Ample Charm
Gram Chikitsalay review: This TVF series is a decent watch, especially if you're fond of slice-of-life rural dramas with light humour and grounded storytelling.
Gram Chikitsalay review: TVF’s latest offering attempts to recreate the charm of small-town India through 'Gram Chikitsalay' - a five-episode series that brings together strong performances, an interesting premise, and a rustic setting. But as you move from one episode to the next, you can't help but feel a lingering sense of déjà vu — a sense that you’ve seen this before, felt these emotions before… especially if you’ve watched 'Panchayat'.
Gram Chikitsalay plot
'Gram Chikitsalay' follows the journey of a young doctor posted at a rural health centre where, ironically, healthcare seems to be the least of anyone’s concern. The patients prefer visiting an unlicensed local quack, the official staff barely shows up, and the facility is neglected. What unfolds is the doctor’s struggle to bring change in a system that’s too indifferent to care. Set against the backdrop of rural politics and reluctant reform, the show traces how the doctor tries to turn the tide.
How is Gram Chikitsalay?
There’s no denying that the story is relevant and well-intentioned, and the characters are well-written and portrayed with sincerity. Yet, the series consistently draws comparisons with 'Panchayat' — not just because of the rural setup, but also due to the tone, dialect, character dynamics, and narrative style. The doctor here feels like a cousin of Panchayat’s secretary, the compounder like his quirky sidekick. Scenes of casual chai breaks, the local lingo, and the slow-paced village life all echo that same mood.
Had this series come before 'Panchayat', it might have felt fresh. But in a post-Panchayat world, it feels more like a derivative — a cleaner, lighter, and slightly less impactful version. The final episode, in particular, feels a bit lost, veering off the central arc and leaving the narrative feeling uneven.
Performances
The cast is the series’ strongest asset. Amol Parashar as the idealistic doctor is a treat to watch — he owns the role with an understated sincerity that fits perfectly in the rural setting. Whether his resemblance to Panchayat’s Abhishek is a compliment or a distraction is up to the viewer.
Akansha Ranjan Kapoor is almost unrecognisable in her de-glam role, but unfortunately, the writing doesn't do justice to her character. She deserved more screen time and development. Vinay Pathak, as the local “jhola chaap” doctor, is delightful, while Anandeshwar Dwivedi shines brightly and adds an energetic layer to the story. The supporting cast is equally dependable and contributes to the series’ charm.
Direction & writing
The show is co-written by TVF founder Arunabh Kumar along with 'Panchayat' director Deepak Kumar Mishra, Shrey Shrivastava, and Vaibhav Suman. Rahul Pandey has directed the series. The problem, however, lies in the comfort zone TVF seems to be slipping into. The very success of Panchayat appears to be a creative limitation here — instead of stepping into new territory, 'Gram Chikitsalay' settles for familiar ground.
Final verdict
'Gram Chikitsalay' is a decent watch, especially if you're fond of slice-of-life rural dramas with light humour and grounded storytelling. It’s clean, family-friendly, and filled with good performances. But if you’re hoping for a story that breaks the mould or offers a new experience, you might find yourself wishing it had dared to be more original.
Watch it for the performances and feel-good moments — just don’t expect a fresh prescription.
Rating: 3/5
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