Panchayat Season 3 Review: Jitendra Kumar’s Show Is Still Heartwarming But Falters As Compared To Previous Seasons
Panchayat Season 3 Review: 'Panchayat 3' may not quite reach the heights of its predecessors, but it's a worthy successor that leaves you eager for another delightful visit to Phulera. Rating: 3.5/5
Panchayat Season 3 Review: In one of the scenes of the third season of the popular series 'Panchayat', Sachiv ji (Jitendra Kumar), Pradhan ji (Raghubir Yadav), Vikas (Chandan Roy) and Prahalad (Faisal Malik) are engaged in a serious discussion and a sentence by Pradhan Ji elicits a laugh from Prahalad, who has been immersed in alcohol and drowning in his sorrow in this season. The reaction afterward by the rest of the three characters makes it one of the most endearing scenes of the season, bringing a smile to the audience’s face. Panchayat's third season might be lighter on laugh-out-loud moments, but it makes up for it with heartwarming scenes like this reminding us of the power of friendship and the simple joys of life.
The third season of the Panchayat dropped on Prime Video on May 28 taking the audience back to village Phulera, Block Fakauli, District Baliya, and to the lives of the people of Phulera and Abhishek Tripathi. The season starts from where it ended in the previous season with Abhishek Tripathi being transferred to another village and a new secretary all set to take charge in Phulera. Abhishek’s friends in Phulera move mountains to bring him back to the village and succeed and what follows is an entertaining ride of local politics, friendship and more.
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What works in this season
Simplicity and connection with viewers
Panchayat’s charm has always been its simplicity, the show through the life of the people of Phulera transports us to simpler times and simple life. Though the storyline this season has gone intense and at times over the top for a show that is built on a simpler plot line, director Deepak Kumar Mishra and writer Chandan Kumar have managed to retain the core essence of the show in most of the parts.
Even if you have never lived in a village, the people of Phulera and their lives evoke nostalgia for the small-town simplicity of the 80s and 90s - where life was simple, relationships stronger, everyone knew everyone and neighbours were like family. It is a kind of life that everyone craves in the midst of the chaos of an ever-consuming and fast-paced world. This connection is what makes the show so relatable and endearing. The latest season has managed to keep the rusticity and simplicity of the show alive. It makes you smile at the small-town romance between Abhishek and Rinky, the love between Prahlad and Vikas, the bond between them and their families.
Writing and direction
Director Deepak Kumar Mishra and writer Chandan Kumar have done a great job in taking ahead Phulera and its characters’ stories. While the show's initial charm stemmed from its portrayal of everyday village life, the creators knew a third season couldn't solely rely on that. This season tackles a more intense plot involving an MLA, which at times makes it more dramatic to our taste when it comes to ‘Panchayat.’ Despite this, the writing and direction manage to maintain the show's core essence.
Special shout out to Chandan Kumar for writing the internal conflicts of some of the characters so well, brilliantly brought to life by the actors. For instance, Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) is happy to be back in Phulera and shares a bond with the others, yet doesn’t want to get entangled in village affairs more than what his job requires. Jitendra Kumar perfectly embodies this – he cares about Pradhan ji, Prahalad, and Vikas but can also be exasperated by their actions.
Panchayat's stellar cast
The show’s stellar cast has always been one of its greatest strengths and this season is no exception. Every actor from Jitendra Kumar to Raghubir Yadav to Neena Gupta, Faisal Malik has portrayed their characters with perfection. But the season's standout performance might be Faisal Malik for his portrayal of a grieving father. Whether it's the quiet despair he carries or the raw vulnerability he displays while explaining loneliness to an elderly woman, Malik delivers the emotions beautifully.
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Neena Gupta continues to impress as the ever-evolving Pradhan. This season, she comes into her own, confronting her husband's decisions, and taking charge when required. Raghubir Yadav delivers a perfect performance as a man whose popularity is decreasing and his decisions are questioned by his own. The scene where his wife, in a moment of anger while fighting, asks him to jump from a building, showcases Yadav's exceptional range.
Familiar Faces, New Fronts
This season expands the spotlight, giving beloved background characters like Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar), Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar), and Vinod (Ashok Pathak) more screen time. With the Panchayat election around the corner, the three get more involved in village politics, trying to diminish Pradhan’s popularity. Durgesh Kumar and Sunita Rajwar bring a delightful dynamic as the ambitious Bhushan and his ever-supportive wife Kranti Devi. Ashok Pathak, meanwhile, steals the show with his comic timing and deadpan delivery. His character, Vinod, injects humour into even the most serious situations, all while maintaining a perfectly straight face.
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Adding to the familiar faces is a welcome return from a character fans might have missed – Ganesh, Raveena's groom from season 1. How he takes the story ahead is a pleasant surprise for the viewers.
What doesn't work
Not as great as the last two seasons, the storyline at times falters
While Panchayat's heart remains firmly in the right place, brimming with the same heartwarming charm as ever, season 3 doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors. The first season's freshness and the second season's gut-wrenching plot twist with the death of Prahlad's son set a high bar, which the third season has fallen short of. This season has a more intense storyline with the MLA seeking revenge. This plot thread occasionally feels stretched thin and fails to deliver a truly satisfying climax. The show's signature lightheartedness takes a backseat at times, leaving some viewers yearning for the simpler conflicts of previous seasons.
A dip in laughs
The way the second season had ended, it was expected that the third season would be different. Panchayat's new season takes a noticeable turn towards a more serious tone. This shift might leave some fans missing the show's signature comedic style like the groom episode of season one or the fight scene from season two. There are scenes like the fight between Pradhan and his wife, Binod’s deadpan dialogue delivery, and a few more moments that will make you chuckle but overall, the season lacked the sustained comedic bursts of the past. The emotional weight of the second season's ending may have resulted in the change but we surely missed laugh-out-loud moments this time.
Despite its minor shortcomings and shift in tone, 'Panchayat 3' remains a heartwarming watch. The laugh-out-loud moments might be fewer, but the show retains its charm through endearing characters and relatable situations.
The way the season has ended, it makes way for the next season and sets the ground for panchayat elections in Phulera, promising more twists and turns. Who knows the surprise guest appearance this season might take center stage in the next.
'Panchayat 3' may not be perfect like its predecessors, but it's a worthy successor that leaves you eager for another delightful visit to Phulera.
Rating: 3.5/5
Also Read: Panchayat Season 3: 'Gajab Bejjati Hai' And Other Famous Dialogues From Season 1 And 2
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