Is Panchayat Season 4 the Ultimate Rural Show? Comparing It to Its Biggest Rivals

Panchayat Season 4, released on Amazon Prime Video on June 24, 2025, continues its journey through the fictional village of Phulera, diving deep into the murky waters of panchayat elections. With its focus on rural politics, village dynamics, and slice-of-life storytelling, the show invites comparison with other Indian web series that explore similar themes. Here, we stack Panchayat Season 4 against notable counterparts like Gullak, Maamla Legal Hai, Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare, and Rangbaaz, analyzing their approach to rural life, political drama, humor, and character-driven narratives.

1. Storyline and Setting

Panchayat Season 4 centers on the electoral battle between Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) for Phulera’s pradhan post, with Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) navigating village politics, a counter-FIR, and his romance with Rinki (Sanvikaa). The show retains its rural Uttar Pradesh setting, capturing the quirks of village life—like election symbols “lauki” and “pressure cooker”—but shifts to a heavier political tone, sidelining the lighthearted simplicity of earlier seasons.

• Gullak (SonyLIV): This TVF creation focuses on the Mishra family in a small North Indian town, offering a nostalgic, middle-class lens on family dynamics rather than overt politics. While Panchayat Season 4 leans into election drama, Gullak Season 4 (2024) explores interpersonal relationships with minimal political undertones, maintaining a cozy, episodic format. Its setting feels more semi-urban than Phulera’s rustic isolation, making it less gritty but equally relatable for its focus on everyday struggles.
• Maamla Legal Hai (Netflix): Set in the chaotic Patparganj District Court, this series satirizes India’s legal system through quirky cases and eccentric lawyers. Like Panchayat, it draws humor from bureaucratic absurdity, but its urban-rural hybrid setting contrasts with Phulera’s purely village backdrop. Maamla Legal Hai tackles governance indirectly, lacking Panchayat’s deep dive into electoral politics but matching its light social commentary.
• Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare (Amazon Prime Video): This comedy-drama follows Ronny (Zakir Khan), a small-town slacker who pretends his uncle is an MLA to gain clout. Set in a rural North Indian town, it mirrors Panchayat’s exploration of local politics and power dynamics but leans more on slapstick humor and youth-centric storytelling. Unlike Panchayat’s grounded election focus, Chacha Vidhayak uses politics as a comedic prop, offering less depth but more laughs.
• Rangbaaz (ZEE5): This gritty saga traces the rise of a gangster-turned-politician in rural Uttar Pradesh, delving into caste, crime, and power. Compared to Panchayat Season 4’s low-stakes election drama, Rangbaaz is darker, with violence and high-stakes political maneuvering. Its rural setting feels more menacing than Phulera’s idyllic charm, prioritizing thriller elements over slice-of-life warmth.

Verdict: Panchayat Season 4’s strength lies in its authentic rural setting and election-driven plot, but its shift to politics makes it less distinct from shows like Rangbaaz. Gullak and Maamla Legal Hai excel in lighter, more universal storytelling, while Chacha Vidhayak offers a funnier take on rural power games.

2. Humor and Tone

Panchayat Season 4 downplays its comedic roots, with humor taking a backseat to emotional and political drama. Moments like Binod’s (Ashok Pathak) loyalty speech or the samosa-laddoo “food diplomacy” spark smiles, but the season lacks the laugh-out-loud sequences of Seasons 1 and 2, such as the photo studio fight or toilet campaign. Critics note this tonal shift as a dip, with the election plot feeling “overcooked.”

• Gullak: Known for its subtle, situational humor, Gullak maintains a consistently light tone, even when tackling family tensions. Its comedy, rooted in relatable banter and quirky family quirks, feels fresher than Panchayat’s subdued humor in Season 4, making it a stronger comfort watch.
• Maamla Legal Hai: This series thrives on absurd courtroom antics, delivering sharp, laugh-out-loud humor akin to Panchayat’s earlier seasons. Its satirical take on legal bureaucracy outshines Panchayat Season 4’s sparse comedic moments, though it lacks the emotional depth Phulera occasionally delivers.
• Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare: Packed with Zakir Khan’s stand-up-inspired wit, this show prioritizes humor over substance. Its exaggerated characters and farcical situations contrast with Panchayat’s grounded approach, making it more entertaining for casual viewers but less nuanced.
• Rangbaaz: Humor is scarce in Rangbaaz, which opts for a grim, intense tone. Unlike Panchayat’s attempt to balance comedy and drama, Rangbaaz fully embraces its dark narrative, making it less accessible for viewers seeking Panchayat’s easygoing vibe.

Verdict: Panchayat Season 4’s reduced humor puts it behind Gullak and Maamla Legal Hai, which deliver consistent laughs. Chacha Vidhayak is funnier but less sophisticated, while Rangbaaz’s serious tone feels like a different genre altogether.

3. Character Development

Panchayat Season 4 relies heavily on its ensemble cast, with standout performances from Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and Ashok Pathak’s Binod, who gets a heartfelt arc. However, Abhishek’s arc stagnates, with his CAT prep and romance with Rinki feeling repetitive, and Rinki herself remains underdeveloped. Critics highlight the lack of character growth as a flaw compared to earlier seasons.

• Gullak: The Mishra family’s evolving dynamics—between parents, siblings, and neighbors—drive Gullak’s narrative. Each character, from Santosh Mishra to Annu, grows subtly, making the show’s emotional stakes feel earned. Compared to Panchayat’s static leads, Gullak’s character arcs are more dynamic.
• Maamla Legal Hai: Characters like VD Tyagi (Ravi Kishan) and Ananya (Naila Grrewal) are quirky but don’t evolve much beyond their comedic roles. While Panchayat offers deeper emotional beats (e.g., Prahlad’s grief), Maamla Legal Hai prioritizes humor over character depth, making it less comparable in this aspect.
• Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare: Ronny’s journey from slacker to reluctant hero is central, but supporting characters are mostly comic relief. Panchayat’s ensemble, with nuanced arcs for Binod and Prahlad, feels richer, though Abhishek’s lack of progress drags it down.
• Rangbaaz: The protagonist’s transformation from underdog to power-hungry politician is compelling, with strong supporting characters. Unlike Panchayat’s focus on community, Rangbaaz emphasizes individual ambition, offering more dramatic character shifts but less warmth.

Verdict: Gullak outshines Panchayat Season 4 in character development, with consistent growth across its cast. Panchayat’s ensemble is strong but hampered by Abhishek’s stagnation, while Maamla Legal Hai and Chacha Vidhayak lack depth, and Rangbaaz prioritizes drama over relatability.

4. Social Commentary

Panchayat Season 4 critiques rural politics, showing how elections disrupt community harmony and expose pettiness, like Kranti’s attack on Vikas’ wife or food-based vote-buying. However, it avoids deeper issues like caste or gender, which critics note as a missed opportunity, especially compared to its earlier subtle commentary on patriarchy and dowry.

• Gullak: While less political, Gullak subtly addresses class, generational gaps, and societal pressures through family lenses. Its commentary is less overt than Panchayat’s election focus but feels more universal, resonating across urban and rural audiences.
• Maamla Legal Hai: The show pokes fun at India’s legal system, highlighting corruption and inefficiency. Its social critique is sharper than Panchayat’s in Season 4, which feels surface-level, but it lacks the grounded rural context that makes Panchayat relatable.
• Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare: Political satire is present but superficial, used more for laughs than insight. Compared to Panchayat’s exploration of electoral dynamics, Chacha Vidhayak’s commentary feels lightweight, focusing on personal ambition over systemic issues.
• Rangbaaz: This series dives into caste, corruption, and power in rural politics, offering a more hard-hitting critique than Panchayat. Its unflinching look at societal divides makes Panchayat’s election drama seem tame, though it sacrifices humor and warmth.

Verdict: Rangbaaz delivers the strongest social commentary, tackling systemic issues head-on. Panchayat Season 4’s critique is relevant but shallow compared to Maamla Legal Hai’s sharp satire or Gullak’s universal insights. Chacha Vidhayak lags in depth.

5. Cinematic Craft

Panchayat Season 4’s cinematography by Amitabha Singh captures Phulera’s earthy aesthetic, but it feels repetitive, like a “photocopy” of past seasons. Anurag Saikia’s score is fitting but unmemorable, and the editing could be tighter, with some episodes dragging.

• Gullak: The show’s warm, nostalgic visuals and evocative score enhance its intimate storytelling. Its craft feels fresher than Panchayat’s, with tighter editing that keeps episodes crisp.
• Maamla Legal Hai: Vibrant visuals and a lively score complement its comedic tone. While less cinematic than Panchayat’s rural vistas, its editing is snappy, matching its fast-paced humor.
• Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare: The cinematography is functional, capturing small-town vibes but lacking Panchayat’s polish. Its score is forgettable, and editing feels uneven, with some gags overstaying their welcome.
• Rangbaaz: With moody visuals and a gripping score, Rangbaaz’s craft is more cinematic than Panchayat’s, amplifying its thriller vibe. However, it lacks the cozy aesthetic that defines Phulera.

Verdict: Gullak and Rangbaaz edge out Panchayat Season 4 in visual and musical freshness. Maamla Legal Hai’s craft suits its tone, while Chacha Vidhayak feels less polished.

Final Thoughts

Panchayat Season 4 remains a compelling watch, thanks to its stellar cast and rooted depiction of rural politics, but its heavier tone and repetitive formula pale against its own earlier seasons and competitors. Gullak stands out as the gold standard for slice-of-life storytelling, blending humor, heart, and relatability. Maamla Legal Hai offers sharper comedy, Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare delivers accessible laughs, and Rangbaaz brings intense drama. For fans of Panchayat’s rural charm, Gullak is the closest match, while those craving political intrigue might prefer Rangbaaz. Season 4’s shift to election drama makes it less unique, but its Phulera magic still holds nostalgic appeal.

Recommendation: Watch Panchayat Season 4 for its performances and village vibes, but temper expectations. For a fresher take, try Gullak or Maamla Legal Hai. If you want grit, Rangbaaz is your pick.

Rating for Panchayat Season 4: 2.75/5
Top Pick Among Comparables: Gullak (3.5/5)