Remember the Phulera village? Yes, you witnessed it in an Amazon Prime original called Panchayat. The show came and conquered every Indian’s heart. It rose to heights of fame and glory, becoming one of the most awaited shows on Prime Video.

The same set of people is back with another season, promising to give you a feel-good experience. Keep reading my Panchayat Season 2 review to understand in-depth how it fares against some of the aspects.

Panchayat Season 2 Review Summary

Back for the second round, Amazon’s Panchayat 2 is a ride filled with emotions, joy, and praiseworthy moments. The show, undoubtedly, deserves your time, given you are ready to ignore some of its limitations.

Panchayat Season 2 Synopsis

The second season of the superhit Indian show Panchayat further explores the life and politics of Phulera village. The Panchayat Secretary, Abhishek Tripathi, is now more used to the village’s features and complexities surrounding politics.

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

However, he has many hurdles to overcome in this humorous and chucklesome show streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

It is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and stars Jitendra Kumar (Abhishek), Neena Gupta (Manju Devi), and Raghubir Yadav (Brij Bhushan Dubey) in lead roles. Other amazing actors include Faisal Malik (Prahlad Pandey), Chandan Roy (Vikas), Sanvikaa (Rinki), and Durgesh Kumar (Bhushan), among others.

Number of Episodes: 8

Panchayat Duration: 4 hrs 47 mins

What Works for Panchayat Season 2?

The Vibes

A rural story dipped in the tasty pudding of raw dialect and heartwarming scenes, Panchayat Season 2 successfully transports the appropriate vibes. The show is a winner when it comes to covering the locations from an outsider’s perspective.

As in season one, Abhishek Tripathi is still averse to the idea of settling in a remote village like Phulera. He wants to get out in a year after clearing the MBA exam, which is a distant dream. While he achieves his long-term goal, he has to deal with the present village complexities.

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

His voyage is what we have to follow to understand things in the proper context. Abhishek’s efforts in discovering issues and following the tortuous route to ‘non-abeyance’ hit the right chords. Moreover, the makers take things a tad ahead and introduce an MLA to the story this time around.

If you remember, season one had brought a District Magistrate into the scene. So, an MLA is a progress, and the next time, we might find a minister making their way to the story. However, what I want to convey is the new elements in Panchayat Season 2 make the story more explorative and funnier.

Thereby, the show comes out as a vibe-infuser. But if I had to compare it with the first season, this one is a little down south.

Performances

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

I know Jitendra Kumar is there to steal the limelight, but I desperately want to emphasize the other actors in the show, starting with Raghubir Yadav. The veteran actor is at his prime once again. He steers the series to the right track whenever there’s an off moment.

Raghubir is an institution in himself, and the way he takes on the familiar challenge of showing authority is commendable. More than his expressions, it is Yadav’s voice that stands apart. The breaks, the chaos, and the sarcasm his tone carries are hard to imitate.

There are moments in Panchayat Season 2 where Raghubir has to show irritation, anger, and aggressiveness. Undoubtedly, he aces them with ease. What I loved was the way Raghubir draws humor out of such brutal scenes through his intricate expressions.

Next in the line of appreciation is Neena Gupta playing Manju Devi. Her role is not substantial on paper, but it is vital to enhance the narration. The amusement she brings to the screen is top-class. Her accent, improvisations, and way of presentation are simply outstanding.

Chandan Roy as Vikas is at the sarcastic heart of Panchayat Season 2. Most of the time, it is Roy who alters and pushes fun and comedy around. His impromptu actions as a character artist are splendidly tickling.

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

Faisal Malik playing Prahlad Pandey, hits the ball out of the park. He did that in the first season too, but Malik is on fire this time. He has the guts to transform his underdog character into a mainstream influencer who can offer stimulants at will.

Now, let’s talk about Jitendra Kumar, who portrays Abhishek Tripathi in Panchayat. That he is a natural actor is a well-known and accepted fact. However, Jitendra’s positive extempore makes me his fan. He would arrive on the screen, deliver the dialogues, and then vanish without making a fuss about it.

Kumar is elaborative and detailed, but he doesn’t make it visible. I have not seen him don a rich character, so I would still consider him best for a common man’s role. Moreover, he is the younger version of Pankaj Tripathi, in my opinion.

Everyone else, including Durgesh Kumar, Sanvikaa, and Ashok Pathak, among others, is magnificent in the series. 

If there was a cast that could ameliorate a decent script, it is Panchayat’s. 

Emotional Connect

In terms of emotions, Panchayat Season 2 trumps the predecessor. From friendship and acquaintance to jealousy and power game, the show sparkles in an apt way. By the time the second season ends, you already have tears in your eyes (trust me, I am not exaggerating).

Humor

Entertainment has been at the heart of Panchayat since the very beginning. As a viewer, I expected the second season to be much better on that front. Though it is debatable whether this part exceeds the expectations, it does come clean on landing funny moments.

There’s no crude humor in the show. Sometimes, you get to enjoy situational comedy, while on other occasions, you are struck by the proficiency of the artists. The likes of Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Faisal Malik, and Chandan Roy are at the core of fun in Panchayat Season 2.

What Doesn’t Work for Panchayat Season 2?

Okay, so now begins the tough part, which many people would not like to read considering the place Panchayat enjoys in their hearts. But the show does have several things that could have been better or at least well-managed

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

Repetitive

In essence, despite introducing some new characters, Panchayat Season 2 feels repetitive when thought of together with the first part. We have a story, a plot, and several characters struggling with personal or social issues.

However, the result of it all is not something we had not witnessed in Panchayat Season 1. I understand it is challenging to maintain the novelty factor when you continue a story, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be done.

The optimistic part is the makers manage to present the plot in an engaging manner. Otherwise, blandness would have eaten Panchayat Season 2.

Intermittent Writing Flaws

Image Credits: Amazon Prime Video

What we saw in the first season was a result of crisp writing. The plot never seemed surprising or pushed to the horizon. However, this time around, you sometimes get to witness a floundering situation which then is controlled using lazy writing.

For example, imagine A and B are talking continuously and, after a point, their conversation becomes dreary. It stays that way until C comes and introduces a conflicting situation to steer A and B out of the mud. This is the easiest way to write.

In season one, we had A and B talking, and they would themselves energize the story by putting up a compelling narration. The second part of Panchayat misses the consistent ability to reap gold out of coal.

Lack of Music

This is not precisely a demerit but rather a point that could have been utilized to elevate the second season. As I mentioned above, season two feels repetitive. The makers could have used music to make it distinctive in such a situation.

India’s Uttar Pradesh is home to some of the best folk music ever produced. It would have been amazing to witness a blend of melodies in the rural setting.

Final Word

Panchayat Season 2 is a light-hearted and emotional outing that you must not miss despite multiple flaws in the narration. Its short duration is another reason to binge-watch it in one go.

*The following section might contain spoilers*

FAQs

Will there be Panchayat 3?

Though there is no official announcement yet, the third installment of Panchayat is surely on the cards.

What will be the story of Panchayat Season 3?

In the final minutes of the second season, we learn that the MLA has ensured Abhishek gets a transfer letter. Therefore, one can safely assume that the makers are about to explore another village with new characters in season 3 of the show.

However, it could be a ploy to distract the viewers. Maybe, Brij Bhushan Dubey and Manju Devi will use some leverage with the MLA to stop Abhishek’s transfer.

If the transfer does happen, how would the brewing love story between Abhishek and Rinki would move forward is a question to ask. Furthermore, it will be tough to replicate the same kind of bonhomie in another village.

But the novelty level will rise to humongous levels if Abhishek is transferred to another place. It can be a make-or-break decision for the makers.

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