Prahlad and Binod Shine in Panchayat Season 4: A Heartfelt, Actor-Driven Triumph Despite Script Stumbles

Panchayat Season 4, streaming on Amazon Prime Video since June 24, 2025, doesn’t quite recapture the magic of its predecessors, but its phenomenal cast—especially Faisal Malik’s soul-stirring Prahlad and Ashok Pathak’s tear-jerking Binod—makes it a must-watch for fans. While the script falters with a repetitive election plot, the actors’ raw, authentic performances and a searing subplot on women’s character assassination elevate this season to a heartfelt triumph, earning it a personal 3.5/5 stars.

The Triumph: Prahlad, Binod, and a Cast That Steals the Show

The heart of Panchayat Season 4 beats in its ensemble, with Faisal Malik as Prahlad delivering a performance that’s nothing short of phenomenal. Prahlad’s arc, steeped in the lingering grief of his son’s death, is the season’s emotional cornerstone. Malik’s restraint is masterful—every glance, every pause carries the weight of loss, whether he’s mediating village disputes or offering quiet wisdom to Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar). His loyalty to Manju Devi’s (Neena Gupta) camp amidst the election chaos adds depth, and scenes like his reflective moment on loss while advising Abhishek are pure heartbreak. X fans have crowned Malik “the soul of Panchayat,” with one post raving, “Faisal Malik’s Prahlad is a masterclass—every scene hits like a truck.”

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Ashok Pathak as Binod is the season’s revelation, transforming from comic sidekick to a character of devastating emotional heft. Aligned with Kranti Devi’s (Sunita Rajwar) rival camp, Binod’s arc is a rollercoaster of loyalty and betrayal. Pathak shines in every moment—whether scheming with naive charm at Kranti’s house or in the gut-wrenching climax when he learns the election results. His tears, raw and achingly real, as he grapples with the outcome are a standout, capturing the sting of shattered faith. That scene, with his face crumpling in authentic emotion, is one of the season’s finest.

The season’s most powerful commentary comes in Kranti’s vicious allegations against Rekha (Tripti Sahu), Vikas’ wife, accusing her of infidelity to sabotage Manju Devi’s campaign. This subplot is a brutal, subtle mirror to how easily women’s reputations are weaponized in rural India—often by other women. Rajwar’s Kranti is chillingly smug, her malice cutting deep, while Rekha conveys quiet devastation, her dignity under siege. Neena Gupta’s Manju Devi, torn between outrage and helplessness, and Chandan Roy’s Vikas, simmering with anger, round out this searing arc. It’s a stark reminder of how rampant character assassination is in our society, delivered with devastating nuance.

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The ensemble is stellar. Raghubir Yadav’s Pradhan ji blends scheming charm with vulnerability, Neena Gupta elevates Manju Devi’s growth as a pradhan, and Durgesh Kumar’s Bhushan, in Kranti’s camp, is a slimy delight. Jitendra Kumar’s Abhishek is subdued but shines in quieter moments, while Sanvikaa’s Rinki brings warmth despite limited screen time. The cast’s chemistry and authenticity make every scene, even the weakest, glow—they’re the true heroes of Season 4.

The Flaws: A Script That Can’t Match the Cast

Chandan Kumar’s script is the season’s weak link, falling short of Seasons 1 and 2’s crisp, heartfelt storytelling. The election plot—Manju Devi vs. Kranti Devi for the pradhan’s seat—starts strong but drags into repetitive skirmishes: samosa distributions, a transformer fix, an anti-corruption raid that fizzles. Unlike the witty, emotionally rich vignettes of earlier seasons (think Season 1’s monitor lizard chase), these feel like filler. The humor, Panchayat’s lifeblood, is nearly absent—gags like the “lauki” vs. “pressure cooker” poll symbols fall flat.

The pacing crawls, with eight episodes feeling like a stretch when six would’ve sufficed. Subplots like Manju Devi’s father’s visit or a power outage lack impact, and Abhishek’s arc—his CAT prep, romance with Rinki, the Season 3 counter-FIR—is frustratingly stagnant. Jitendra Kumar seems disengaged, and the romance with Rinki wastes Sanvikaa’s potential. The shooter mystery lingers unresolved, and the cliffhanger ending feels like a setup for Season 5 rather than a satisfying close. Compared to Season 1’s fresh narrative or Season 2’s emotional depth, Season 4 coasts on nostalgia.

Missed Opportunities: Losing Phulera’s Charm

Panchayat’s early seasons thrived on Phulera’s simplicity—cricket matches, dowry disputes, small triumphs with big heart. Season 4’s election focus strips away that innocence, veering too close to Rangbaaz’s gritty politics. Beyond the Rekha-Kranti subplot, it shies away from deeper issues like caste or gender, unlike Season 2’s nuanced take on patriarchy. Rinki’s underuse is a crime—she deserved a real arc. Amitabha Singh’s cinematography keeps Phulera’s rustic vibe alive, but Anurag Saikia’s score is forgettable, and the editing lets scenes drag.

Season 5: A Bright Horizon

Season 4’s flaws are redeemed by seeds for a stellar Season 5. The Rekha-Kranti subplot, Binod’s betrayal in Kranti’s camp, and Prahlad’s grief set up a high-stakes reckoning. The shooter mystery and election fallout promise a return to Phulera’s heart, with Prahlad and Binod as anchors. If Season 5 restores the humor and gives Abhishek and Rinki proper arcs, it could be a triumph. X fans are optimistic, with one tweeting, “Season 4 stumbled, but Prahlad and Binod? Season 5’s gonna hit hard!”

Final Verdict

Panchayat Season 4 falters with a weak script, sluggish pacing, and missing humor, paling against Seasons 1 and 2’s brilliance. But the cast—led by Faisal Malik’s phenomenal Prahlad and Ashok Pathak’s tear-jerking Binod—turns it into a heartfelt triumph. The Rekha-Kranti subplot, a brutal commentary on women’s character assassination, is a highlight, and the actors’ raw authenticity saves the day. For them, I give it 3.5/5 stars, a tribute to their phenomenal work despite a script that doesn’t earn it. Season 5 looms as a chance to reclaim Phulera’s magic.

Kudos to the cast: Prahlad, Binod, and crew—you’re Panchayat’s soul.