Aditya N
Aditya N
Months after the tragic loss of Prahlad’s (Faisal Malik) son, who sacrificed his life on the border, Phulera is gradually moving forward. A memorial library has been constructed in honor of the fallen son, situated directly opposite the Panchayat office. Sachiv, also known as Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), has been transferred from Phulera, leaving Pradhan (Raghubir Yadav), Manju Devi (Neena Gupta), and Vikas (Chandan Roy) engulfed in the sorrow of losing Abhishek to the MLA’s political battle. However, Phulera refuses to be defeated and rises up to confront the MLA, who attempts to teach them a lesson but ultimately fails, as he always does. Yet, there is an even greater adversary lurking in the shadows…
Faisal Malik delivered a stellar performance. Jitendra Kumar has seamlessly integrated into the world of Panchayat to the point where his true self may be mistaken for a character. His portrayal of longing for Phulera, a place he once wished to escape, comes full circle, and he executes it flawlessly. In his role as Vikas, Chandan Roy remains outstanding and adds a fresh dimension to his character’s journey. Manju Devi, portrayed by Neena Gupta, stands out as the most gratifying and affectionate character.
With Chandan Kumar returning to the writing team and Deepak Kumar Mishra helming the director’s chair once again for the third installment, Panchayat Season 3 evolves in a deeply personal manner. The storyline has transcended beyond the light-hearted comedic portrayal of a stagnant village and an outsider’s attempt to bring change. The recent tragic event of losing a son in the defense force has shifted the narrative towards a more somber tone. Melancholy permeates the atmosphere as the protagonist not only mourns the loss of his sole family member but also grapples with the overwhelming grief that threatens to consume him entirely, potentially leading to drastic consequences if left unchecked. Moving into season 3, the realm of Panchayat has experienced a significant setback that will have a lasting impact on the direction of the series.
The script and execution in Panchayat are finely crafted, well-researched, and deeply rooted in its authenticity. This is the show’s highlight, as the makers clearly understand their audience’s preferences and avoid being overly ambitious. They acknowledge that elections are a real-life occurrence and that the storyline could mirror actual community events. The narrative skillfully portrays a community standing up against a self-important and crooked politician and individuals from the village attempting to exploit government schemes meant to assist those in need. The multi-faceted approach taken by the creators is truly praiseworthy and adds depth to the storytelling.
The writing falters when attempting to portray the love story of Abhishek and Rinki superficially. It progresses sluggishly, making it difficult for viewers to engage, ultimately holding little significance in the grand scheme of things. The decision to reintroduce certain characters, albeit belatedly, is a missed opportunity. It could have enhanced the love story’s development if they had been introduced earlier.
