PANCHAYAT – A REVIEW

The 2020 comedy – drama, Hindi web series Panchayat is a social commentary on the prevailing system in most part of rural India. As the title, the plot revolves around a Pnnchayat office in a remote village called Phulera. Abhishek Tripathi is a fresh engineering graduate who didn’t got placement in his final year. As he got this job opportunity as the panchayat secretary, he decides to give an attempt, as there are no other options left after his graduation. The series opens with his arrival at Phulera and meets former village Sarpanch who is the husband of current village Sarpanch, the deputy sarpanch and his assistant. Through a series of funny episodes, the director shows the present condition of the panchayat office, the people and the ruling system. Jitendra is working to crack CAT so that he can switch his job. The first season of Panchayt consists of eight episodes named “Gram Panchayat Phulera”, “Bhootha ped”, “Chakke wali Kursi”, “Hamara Neta Kaisa Ho?”, “Computer Nahi Monitor”, “Bahot Hua Samman”, “Ladka Tez Hai Lekin”, and “Jab Jago Tabhi Seva”. Each episodes carry sarcastic portrayal of the Panchayat, such as the issue of solar plantation and the revolving chair. Sarpanch feels diminished in the eyes of villageres, because of not possessing a revolving chair like that of the secretary. A poorly phrased slogan for the family planning leads to a chain of events later.

The script, actors, characters and situations are well connected. The system of village politics, the low level corruption, simple lifestyle, the role of women in politics, kindheartedness of villagers are presented in a realistic manner. The present woman Panchayat secretary is the perfect example for the role of women in Indian politics. Even though she is a representative , as part of women reservation, the power is still in the hands of her husband. The performance of Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav and other artists made the series more realistic and gained many critical acclamation.