BY MAHADEV DESAI
Panchayat Season 3 has been released on May 28, 2024. Before reading this review, reader is advised to read the review of Seasons 1 and 2.
Panchayat Season 1 & 2: A heartwarming journey through rural India | NRI Pulse
Season 3 of the web series focuses more on local politics than the previous two seasons. At the end of Season 2, the corrupt MLA Chandrakishore had ordered Abhishek to be transferred to another village. However, Abhishek is thinking of quitting his job. Things take an unexpected turn when Rinki keeps Abhishek updated about the village. She tells him a rumor that Chandrakishore not only killed his neighbor’s dog but also ate its meat! As a result, Chandrakishore is suspended, and his orders are nullified, leading to Abhishek being reinstated in his job. Abhishek returns to Phulera.
Prahlad is grieving the loss of his son, and Abhishek, Vikas, and Brij Bhushan try to cheer him up. Meanwhile, Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) finds weak spots in Brij Bhushan’s leadership and blames him for the poor state of the village road. The government had initiated the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to help poor villagers get homes. Phulera is divided into East and West. Abhishek, Vikas, and Brij Bhushan live in the West, while Bhushan and his sidekicks Binod (Ashok Pathak) and Madhav live in the East. The West division selected seven people for the subsidy, while the East only got four. Abhishek, out of kindness, picked an old lady, Damayanti, for the subsidy, even though she lived with her grandson and his family in a stone house but wanted her own house. Bhushan accuses Brij Bhushan and Manju Devi of favoritism at the village council.
Chandrakishore is released on bail and gets a white horse named ‘Sitara’ with his daughter Chitra. Rinki gets closer to Abhishek, but their plans to spend time together often don’t work out. They do manage to go to Fakauli Bazaar on Abhishek’s motorbike, enjoy samosas, and visit a temple. Abhishek suggests Rinki try an MBA, and she agrees, hoping it will help delay her marriage and keep her in touch with him.
Bhushan and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) meet with Chandrakishore and offer to work with him, suggesting he make peace with Phulera. Brij Bhushan, Manju Devi, Abhishek, Vikas, and Prahlad, along with the villagers, welcome the MLA and his entourage. However, Chandrakishore snubs Brij Bhushan and Manju Devi by inviting Bhushan to garland him and taking lunch at Binod’s home instead. During the peace ceremony, a pigeon released by Chandrakishore and Bhushan falls and dies, causing shock and anger. The pigeon owner, Bam Bahadur (Amit Kumar Maurya), calls the MLA a murderer, leading Chandrakishore and his men to leave hastily.
A video of the incident goes viral, enraging the MLA. When Bam Bahadur and the West Phulera residents refuse to apologize, the MLA sends goons to punish Bam Bahadur, but he outruns them. The villagers congratulate Vikas and his wife Khushbu on her pregnancy with a big party at Prahlad’s home.
Rinki’s friend Raveena and her husband Ganesh (Aasif Khan) visit Phulera for a vacation, and Ganesh and Abhishek become closer. Due to the dog and pigeon incidents, Chandrakishore is advised to sell his horse. Prahlad helps Ganesh buy the horse on behalf of Phulera, angering the MLA. He sets out to confront the villagers but is advised by a Parliamentarian to cool down.
The tension doesn’t end there. Abhishek has to take his CAT exam in Banaras. Brij Bhushan, Vikas, and Prahlad accompany him to the bus stop. Just as the bus is about to stop, two masked gunmen on a motorbike start shooting at Brij Bhushan, Vikas, and Prahlad. Abhishek safely boards the bus. When he returns after his exams, he learns that Brij Bhushan was shot in the shoulder but survived the attack.
Season 3 masterfully blends local politics with personal stories, creating a captivating narrative full of twists and turns. The characters continue to evolve, facing new challenges that test their resolve and relationships. The show’s ability to intertwine political drama with the everyday lives of Phulera’s residents keeps the audience engaged and eager for more.
Stay tuned for Season 4, likely to be released in mid-2026!
