As the world is locked
down, many of us are privileged enough to have some time for ourselves,
finally. Like millions of others my husband and I are surviving by pursuing our
hobbies and doing things we otherwise found little time to do. It is during
this time that I was recommended to watch a new web series by TVF (The Viral
Fever) team called – Panchayat. It is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and available
to watch. I have been an ardent fan of good content and TVF has never
disappointed me. My husband and I completed the series in one go and are
charmed by this novel content, brilliant acting, and the simplicity of the set
up. Hence, I decided that a series as wonderful deserves a review.
Cast: Neena Gupta,
Raghuvir Yadav, Jitendra Kumar, Chandan Roy, and Faisal Malik.
Directed By: Deepak
Kumar Mishra
Screenplay – Chandan Kumar
Verdict: 4.5 stars
Review: The plot opens
with Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) whining about not being able to grab a well-paying
job like his friend in a city. Instead he has a job as a Panchayat secretary in
a remote village of Uttar Pradesh with a humble salary of INR 20,000. Suggested
by his friend to take it up as a Swades challennge, Abhishek Tripathi pulls up his socks and starts on
his adventure. What follows is a series of rib-tickling thought-provoking encounters
that change Abhishek Tripathi in more ways than one. It lets him taste both success and failures with equal sweetness.
Each episode picks up
a theme and does it a great deal of justice. The backdrop is a typical village
of India including greener fields, paint peeled government offices, muddy roads,
small shanty shops, a hand pump, and palm greasing attitude. The plot is neither preachy nor does it try
hard to impress. The characters grow organically and cleverly convey the message.
Several issues are highlighted albeit subtly and wittingly.
Several scenes are
brilliantly crafted with an exceptional work of screenplay. Like the scene
where the tantrum throwing, wrapped in dowry groom is shut down by Abhishek
when the latter calls the former an asshole. Eventually Abhishek apologizes and
loses a part of his self-respect. The scene where the Pradhan Pati considers the
secretary a good match for his daughter because both belong to the same caste.
The scene where the Pradhan (Neena Gupta) does not participate in any
administrative responsibility due her lack of interest and education both. She later
tries to learn things and starts by learning the national anthem of India. Hilariously
a villager with 2 elder daughters and one young son is offended because the government’s
slogan for 2 children calls any extra child “bawaseer” – Piles.
There is so much more
that Panchayat offers. It offers an outstanding ensemble of actors, quirky
dialogues that linger for long, lighthearted humor, and a story so new.
Panchayat takes you to your own village through the bhootiya (possessed) pedh
(tree), electricity that comes and goes at will, politics over implementation
of government policies, and pethas served with a glass of water. It does this
with ease. It offers hope, inspiration, and a warmth. Every actor has done
justice to their character whether it be Raguvir Yadav as Pardhan Pati or the
lead Jitendra Kumar himself as a frustrated urban boy stuck in a rural setting.
Neena gupta is great as always but I wish she had more screen time. Two characters that stand out amidst these big names
are Chandan Roy as Vikas – helper to the secretary and Faisal Malik as Prahlad –
the Deputy Pradhan.
All in all, Panchayat
is a fresh breath of air that has opened new avenues for the makers and their audience
alike. It is a must watch.
The trailer is shared below. Link courtesy – Youtube.
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