Panchayat Season 4 might have topped the streaming charts this week, but fans aren’t exactly celebrating.
The Jitendra Kumar-led show clocked 8.8 million views in its debut week on Prime Video, making it the most-watched Indian original for the week of June 23–29, according to Ormax. On paper, that sounds impressive. But the mood among loyal viewers tells a different story.
Last year, Season 3 pulled in a massive 12 million views in its first week, one of the best openings of the year. That season had heart, humour, and plenty of moments that got people talking. This time around, though, something didn’t click. That something was too much focus on dirty politics instead of the core middle-class struggle for which people loved Panchayat.
Critics were lukewarm, and fan discussions online have been mixed at best. Many felt the show lacked the spark and simplicity that made the earlier seasons so lovable.
To be fair, 8.8 million is still a huge number, and the show has beaten out other big releases like Criminal Justice Season 4. But when you’re following up on one of the most beloved web series in the country, expectations are sky-high.
TVF now has a decision to make. Audiences clearly still care about Panchayat, but they also want more than recycled charm and familiar beats. If Season 5 is in the works, and it most likely is, then it’s time to go back to the roots and write something that surprises and connects again.
The love for Panchayat hasn’t vanished. But the magic needs a little recharge.