Panchayat…Sweet, Subtle, and Serene
Lockdown has provided us non-essential privileged lot with more time to binge-watch shows lately. And we aren’t holding ourselves back. Like a predator on a prowl, I was on the hunt for a new show after finishing off Money Heist. I came across an article titled, ‘Panchayat Review: Jitendra Kumar and Raghuvir Yadav show is about finding yourself in isolation’ on Indian Today’s website. Before I knew it, I had started watching ‘Panchayat’ on prime video. After watching a high-octane urban show like Money Heist, it took an episode to come to terms with the slow and rustic vibe of this show.
Now that I have watched all the episodes, let me tell you that it’s a beautiful and understated masterpiece of a show. The actors Raghuvir Yadav, Neena Gupta, and Jitendra Kumar are effortlessly flawless at what they do. There is some social messaging, but it is so subtle and delicately handled that it doesn’t come across as preachy at all. The characters are not just village simpletons. They have layers and quirks, which make them no different from us, city dwellers. Almost every episode in this comedy of errors made me realize the endless privileges we take for granted. So, I am not going to stress that point repeatedly in this post. Every episode had a unique flavor to it with its nuances, some of which I picked up and interpreted them the way I could.
SPOILER ALERT!
- Gram Panchayat Phulera
Abhishek’s (Jitendra Kumar) realization that slacking off during engineering has led him to settle for a low paying job in rural India as a Panchayat secretary hits him hard. A rude awakening that it in the end it is all about the rat race. Unfortunately, intelligence only matters when it gets reflected in grades and CTCs. And moving to the village validates his preconceived notions of rural India. His only way out of this life is getting into an esteemed B-school. This escape route is adopted my many in this country. Learning is not always the prime motivation for seeking an MBA degree. Eventually, people feel stuck in their professional lives and getting an MBA feels like a second chance at life.
2. Bhootha Ped
A clever depiction of how superstitions begin, proliferate, and transform into more bizarre versions with time. The makers have gone with the popular village folklore of a haunted peepal ka ped, and made it their own. It was interesting to notice how sometimes the motivation to do good doesn’t always come from a place of virtue. Abhishek’s will to eradicate this superstition stems from the need to get a solar light for his office, so that he can study for CAT at night.
Later, when the person who was found guilty of making up this story gets caught, the Panchayat Pradhanpati, Brij Bhushan Dubey (Raghuvir Yadav) uses the opportunity to become a hero for the villagers by staging sleeping under the “haunted” tree overnight and declaring the tree to be finally ghost free. In the end, villagers are relieved of the superstition, but Abhishek and Pradhanpati also benefit from this event. It is a win-win situation.
3. Chakke Wali Kursi
It’s human to seek a small slice of happiness in tangible things when circumstances appear to be totally out of control. Abhishek’s need to get a new chair for his office wasn’t just a necessity; it was the only source of momentary happiness for him. The power play between the head and secretary around the new shiny thing is amusing. The need for power doesn’t necessarily grow from within for everyone. Sometimes, we have to pretend to want it and maintain it. Pradhanpati’s tactics to get that new chair for himself didn’t come from his own mind. But, he just had to maintain the power dynamics in the closed and small community he ruled over.
4. Humara Neta Kaisa Ho?
The original Pradhan (Pradhanpati’s wife), Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) was the star of this episode. After getting a severe backlash due to an over the top slogan to encourage public to not have more than two kids, Pradhanpati finds himself in a deep dilemma. His wife snapping at him and asking him to learn to be unafraid of making difficult decisions for the greater good of the society instead of trying to win votes, showed the leadership qualities she actually possesses. Though she is conditioned to find bliss in the domestic life, she doesn’t hesitate to mention repeatedly that it doesn’t always feel like a bliss. And that taking care of the entire household is taxing. She clearly wants women to have a say in family planning decisions. In this seemingly odd couple, the man is the more vulnerable and unsure one, while the woman is the stronger and opinionated one.
5. Computer Nahi Monitor
Abhishek misses having a social life and sharing a beer with like-minded group of friends. Looking at social media updates of his city dwelling friend makes his weekends in the remote village look dull and lonely. How many of us have felt something similar on seeing the best moments of others projected on the social media at some point? Abhishek finding new bonds and friendships where he least expected was heartwarming to watch. Genuine human connections can surpass all the differences and save us from drowning in our own miseries.
6. Bahut Hua Samman
Abhishek doesn’t come across as the kind of guy who gets into street fights or gang wars. In fact, it takes him courage to even ask for what he deserves. He has better things to do than mess around with the village hooligans. However, even a person of patience has his/her limits and can unleash his/her anger in the most unexpected manner when the lines get crossed. Abhishek’s discomfort with having the reputation of an angry maniac to be feared is endearing, as it is not something he is or wants people to believe he is.
7. Ladka Tez Hai Lekin
Parents want the best for their kids. From giving them the perfect name to choosing the perfect life partner for them, parenting never takes a breather. It was sweet how they compared new parents who were arguing over their newborn’s name to older parents who were arguing over the better choice of suitor for their grownup daughter. Yes, sometimes their ways might not be the best. Yes, they might make mistakes. Yes, we might not be on the same page with our parents on a lot of things. But, no one in the world is going to care for us the way they do.
8. Jab Jaago Tabhi Savera
Abhishek reaches the peak of his frustration and disappointment when he fails to score the coveted percentile in his CAT exam. Vikas (Chandan Roy), who plays Abhishek’s assistant is one of the sweetest characters I have seen onscreen. He goes out of his way to help Abhishek from coping with the rural way of life and dynamics of the Panchayat to saving him from sulking over his underperformance in CAT. Vikas is not just genuinely kind, he is an embodiment of empathy. It is hard to feel sorry for the privileged, but he sees through Abhishek’s internal struggles and chooses to help.
Abhishek’s attempt at bringing Manju Devi out of her house and making her take charge of her official duties works out. Watching her lowering her inhibitions and accepting the power she already had by learning to sing the national anthem as the first step towards her official duties, inspires him to take charge of his life and go for a second attempt at CAT.
He stops being so hard on himself and makes peace with himself and his current situation. Manju Devi finding a new version of herself shows that women who lack access to education and exposure in life aren’t any less intelligent or strong. With some guidance and support, they can do wonders and change the face of society.
I liked that in the end, there is just an insinuation of an attraction between Abhishek and Pradhan’s daughter, Rinki (Pooja Singh). Maybe she will make him fall in love with the village, maybe not. We will have to wait for the second season, I guess.
My first review of the show was much shorter and was given to my husband. I told him that this show felt like a glass of cool nimbu paani (lemon juice) on a hot summer afternoon. And I recommend experiencing the soothing and refreshing feeling the show left me with.
