This is an archive article published on May 28, 2024
Panchayat Season 3 review: Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta show retains its simplicity as it gets more ambitious
Panchayat Season 3 review: The story starts where it left off in the last season but the series headlined by Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta is now more ambitious.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Written by Alaka Sahani
Mumbai | Updated: May 29, 2024 04:42 PM IST
4 min read
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Panchayat season 3 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (Photo: The Viral Fever/ Instagram)
The strength of Panchayatlies in its simplistic and relatable depiction of rural life. To their credit, its creators understand this quite well and have refrained from resorting to any obvious gimmick even while adding social commentary to the narrative. Remaining faithful to its original tone and vibes, they have yet again pushed the boundaries in the third season. The eight-part season explores bigger themes; lets its characters’ arcs 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), reached the village. The climax witnessed the head of Panchayat, Manju Devi (Neena Gupta), stopping the local MLA (Pankaj Jha) from trying to gain political mileage while Phulera is dealing with the tragedy. Another cliffhanger was Panchayat secretary Abhishek Tripathy (Jitendra Kumar) getting transferred.
When we meet them in Season 3, Prahlad is grieving the loss of his son. Manju Devi is now more involved with the Panchayat affairs and appears sure-footed regarding how to tackle political huddles. Abhishek is happy to be back in Phulera when his transfer is stalled. While the canvas remains the same, the narrative encompasses more drama and sub-plots.
Panchayat, written by Chandan Kumar (who is also credited as one of its co-creators), carries the feel of accurately grasping the mind and life of people in a remote village. In the new season, the show reveals more about its characters, their desires and dreams, without losing its signature breeziness. The show — which boasts of an impressive ensemble cast — makes supporting characters like Bhusan (Durgesh Kumar) more prominent with Vinod and Madhav (who became popular in the previous season) shown as his allies.
What’s fascinating this season is the subtle transformation of certain characters. Manju Devi was earlier happy to be behind the scene, letting her husband call the shots. The show, which has tracked her gradual growth as a competent Sarpanch, showcases her political instincts. She is also more supportive when her daughter Rinki (Sanvikaa) wants to get a degree and, later, a job. The triumph of the show’s writing has been its directness without being preachy. The changes in Manju Devi and Rinki are never underlined but shown as their natural progression. Ditto in case of the Panchayat secretary, who gets way more involved in the village politics than he should.
The main dramatic conflict this season is over Phulera residents’ primary woe — lack of proper road — and the MLA trying to settle a score with Pradhan (Raghubir Yadav). Panchayat came as a refreshing change amidst other shows set in smaller towns as it kept violence and expletives at bay. The tension rises in Phulera this time but it does not opt for the lets-shock-the-audience kind of violence. When a fight does break out or a man is chased in a farming field, it appears unchoreographed and real — far from the stylised sequences flooding the OTT space.
Understated charm and high-drama in mundane village scenarios have been the show’s highlights. Panchayat capitalises on them while casting its net wide this season. But the series stays within the world of familiar peculiarities and challenges.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
4 min read
