Panchayat 3 review: The new instalment of the web series depicts political rivalry on a grassroot level entwined with love and humour.
A Long-Awaited Return
Everyone was waiting for the third chapter of Panchayat for the past two years, and the latest instalment surprises, amuses, bedazzles, and falters — all at once. This time, Panchayat 3 gets political as the show opens a new chapter on the politics of rural India and bureaucracy, led by an exceptional cast including Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Raghubir Yadav. However, it might leave the audience with some loose ends.
Emotions and Nostalgia
Written by Chandan Kumar and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the show is a sinusoidal wave of emotions. It makes you cry, laugh, feel numb, nostalgic, and part of their simple yet adventurous life. The season starts with the transfer of Sachiv Ji and takes 5-10 minutes to set the premise before the audience returns to Phulera. It goes on to handle themes of grief, community support, and unity. The twists and turns do not disappoint the audience.
Political Buzz and Village Dynamics
Keeping in sync with the political buzz during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the show delves deep into village politics and corruption at the grassroot level, while retaining its simple storytelling technique.
Music that Enhances the Story
Anurag Saikia’s music reflects the mood of the storyline. While the title track transitions from instrumental to rock, the background score is in sync with the emotional quotient of the plot. The sounds and tunes make the life of Phulera more lively, from the whimsical whistle when Sachiv Ji and Rinki sit together to the emotional track when Amma helps Prahlad clean his house.
Fresh Narrative Approach
The director’s fresh approach of bringing the supporting cast to the forefront to drive the story forward has worked in favour of the narrative. Durgesh Kumar as Bhushan Sharma emerges as one of the strongest roles of the season, threatening the lead characters’ positions. The supporting actors, including Sunita Rajwar, Pankaj Jha, Ashok Pathak, and Bulloo Kumar, also get a chance to shine.
Lead Cast Performance
The lead cast, featuring Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Roy, and Sanvikaa, continues to be endearing on screen. However, their roles are slightly under-utilized this season as the supporting cast takes the spotlight. Jitendra Kumar brings a calm vibe, Sanvikaa adds an innocent love angle, and Chandan Roy injects fun into the series. Neena Gupta’s character hints at taking a more significant political role, which is not fully developed but offers potential for future seasons.
Prahlad’s Emotional Journey
Prahlad, portrayed by Faisal Malik, undergoes a compelling transformation from despair to finding joy again. This arc is one of the most touching aspects of the season, showcasing Faisal Malik’s impressive acting skills.
Writing and Pacing Issues
The show’s writing was a bit underwhelming in places, with hints of fatigue in continuing the story setting in. Some plot points were left unexplained, leaving behind several loose ends. The show seems a bit stretched and disjointed as it tries to tackle many issues at once.
Higher Stakes for the Future
The stakes were high for the third part, and the writer did raise the bar but stumbled in the end as the season wrapped up on a forgettable note. There was a high point just before the climax that could have been a great cliffhanger for the fourth season.
Final Thoughts
While the third season might have been slow at places, it was not low on entertainment, emotions, and thrill. A recap of the previous seasons is recommended as the third part drops some references from earlier instalments without much explanation.
Panchayat Season 3 is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.