Well, well, well! The beloved Sachiv Ji is back, and this time he’s dealing with more than just the quirky politics of rural Uttar Pradesh. Panchayat Season 4 dropped on June 24, 2025, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride through the dusty lanes of Phulera. As someone who’s been following this show since day one, I had to dive deep into what makes or breaks this latest installment.
The Return of Phulera: What’s New This Time?
Season 4 picks up right where the dramatic Season 3 left us hanging. Our engineering graduate turned reluctant village secretary Abhishek Tripathi, played by the ever-reliable Jitendra Kumar, is now dealing with the aftermath of that infamous slap he gave Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) in the previous season. The season opens with Sachiv Ji drowning his sorrows in alcohol, worried that the FIR filed against him might ruin his MBA dreams. Talk about having your priorities straight!
But here’s where things get interesting – or should I say, politically messy. The entire season revolves around the panchayat elections between two formidable women: Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) with her lauki (bottle gourd) symbol versus Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) flaunting her pressure cooker. And honestly, the metaphor of a pressure cooker couldn’t be more apt for what’s about to unfold in Phulera.
The Star-Studded Cast: Who’s Bringing the Magic?
Let’s talk about the powerhouse ensemble that makes this show tick. Jitendra Kumar continues to be the heart and soul of the series as Abhishek Tripathi. The man who gave us Jeetu Bhaiya in Kota Factory and Jitu in TVF Pitchers brings his signature understated charm to Sachiv Ji. This season, we see him more invested in Phulera’s politics than ever before, which is both a blessing and a curse for his character development.
Neena Gupta as Manju Devi deserves special applause. Her character shows significant growth this season, especially with the election storyline giving her more prominence. Watching her navigate the murky waters of village politics while maintaining her dignity is a masterclass in subtle acting.
Raghubir Yadav as Pradhan Ji continues to be the wise, politically savvy village head we’ve come to love. However, this season shows him in a more vulnerable light after the shooting incident. Yadav’s performance brings depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character.
The supporting cast including Faisal Malik as Prahlad, Chandan Roy as Vikas, and Durgesh Kumar as the eternally troublesome Bhushan, all deliver consistent performances. Sunita Rajwar as Kranti Devi brings a fiery energy that perfectly complements Neena Gupta’s more measured approach.
What’s Different This Time: The Good, The Bad, and The Political
Here’s where I need to be brutally honest with you, dear readers. While Panchayat Season 4 isn’t terrible, it’s not quite the comfort food we’ve grown accustomed to. The show has shifted from its original slice-of-life charm to a more politically charged narrative.
The biggest change is the heavy focus on election drama. Gone are the days of simple village problems like malfunctioning hand pumps or ghost trees. This season is all about vote banks, political maneuvering, and power struggles. While this evolution makes sense narratively, it does rob the show of some of its innocent charm.
The pacing feels different too. Previous seasons had that leisurely, almost meditative quality that made you feel like you were actually living in Phulera. Season 4 feels more urgent, more manufactured. Some episodes drag unnecessarily, particularly the fifth episode featuring Manju Devi’s father, which adds absolutely nothing to the story.
The Technical Brilliance Still Shines
Despite the narrative shortcomings, the technical aspects remain top-notch. The cinematography continues to capture the rustic beauty of rural India, and the authentic locations still make Phulera feel like a real place you could visit. The dialogue writing, while not as sharp as previous seasons, still has moments of brilliance.
The episode structure remains consistent with eight episodes, each running approximately 30-40 minutes. This format allows for proper character development, though this season doesn’t quite utilize it to its full potential.
The Ratings Reality Check
Let’s address the elephant in the room – the ratings. The Season 4 finale Dabdaba received an IMDb rating of 8.4, making it the lowest-rated finale in the series’ history.
To put this in perspective:
Social media reactions have been mixed, with many fans expressing disappointment with the ending. Some viewers felt the season lacked the emotional depth that made previous seasons special.
The Streaming Experience
For those wondering about the Panchayat Season 4 release date, mark your calendars – it’s been streaming on Amazon Prime Video since June 24, 2025. All eight episodes dropped simultaneously, perfect for a weekend binge-watch session. The show continues to be available with subtitles and maintains its Hindi-language authenticity.
What Works and What Doesn’t
What Works:
- The cast continues to deliver strong performances despite weaker material
- The show maintains its authentic rural setting and cinematography
- Character relationships, particularly between Abhishek and Rinki, show natural progression
- Political commentary, while heavy-handed, reflects real rural dynamics
What Doesn’t Work:
- The shift from slice-of-life to political drama feels forced
- Some episodes feel unnecessarily stretched
- The simplicity and relatability that made the show special is largely absent
- Creative fatigue is evident in recycled storylines
The Final Verdict: Still Worth Your Time?
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this – Panchayat Season 4 is the weakest entry in the series so far. It’s not bad television by any means, but it’s disappointing when measured against the show’s own high standards. The series seems to be struggling with the classic problem of not knowing when to end on a high note.
That said, if you’ve invested three seasons in the residents of Phulera, you’ll still find moments to cherish. The performances are solid, the production values remain high, and there are genuine emotional beats scattered throughout. It’s just that the magic feels a bit diluted this time around.
Rating: 3/5 stars
The show is still watchable, and fans of the series will appreciate seeing their favorite characters again. However, it’s clear that the makers need to rediscover what made Panchayat special in the first place if they want to continue this beloved franchise.
Looking Ahead
The season ends on a note that clearly sets up Season 5, with several plot threads left hanging. Abhishek’s CAT results are in (spoiler: he does well), but his future in Phulera remains uncertain. The election results bring their own set of complications, and the romantic subplot between Abhishek and Rinki continues to simmer.
Whether the makers can recapture the original magic remains to be seen. For now, Panchayat Season 4 serves as a reminder that even the most beloved shows can lose their way when they stray too far from their roots.
Final Thoughts:
Panchayat Season 4 isn’t the disaster some reviews make it out to be, but it’s definitely a step down from the series’ peak. It’s still better than most of what’s available on streaming platforms, but that’s more a commentary on the state of current content than a ringing endorsement. If you’re a completionist like me, you’ll watch it anyway. If you’re looking for the comfort and charm of early Panchayat, you might want to revisit Seasons 1 and 2 instead.
The elections in Phulera may be heating up, but the show’s temperature seems to be cooling down. Here’s hoping Season 5 brings back the warmth that made us fall in love with this little village in the first place.
Available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Don’t forget to check out the previous seasons if you haven’t already – they’re still pure gold.
