While Scam 1992 was a good watch, it was still heavy for Vibhu (my 7 year old boy). Hence next I wanted to see something which is light on the head, clean and can make us laugh. Panchayat is one such 8 episode web series that Vibhu and I enjoyed during the lockdown.
Panchayat is about common people who are not fighting with terrorists, facing a ghost, sacrificing love, chasing money and showing off. This web series revolves around the life of Abhishek Tripathi (name of the character in the series) who gets an average-paying job as a Panchayat secretary of a village Fulera (UP). He is not satisfied with his job, however, with no other option in hand, he continues doing his duties. He experienced both good and bad things living in a room of Panchayat's office. In each episode, you see small incidents in the life of Abhishek, which make each episode like a small yet complete story.
Do you remember Shahrukh Khan's Swades? In the movie, he leaves his comfortable and fulfilling NASA job to come back to his village in India to support his people. In the movie, we see how undeveloped village life is still in our country, and how SRK's patriotic heart pulls him back to his village. Panchayat web series has a funny similarity with Swades. It also has rural drama with a lot of humor thrown in. In fact, Abhishek gets this advice from his friend when Abhishek shares his willingness to quit the government job “This is your chance to be Mohan Bhargava from Swades, see the real India,”
Thus Abhishek is forced to work for the village contrary to how SRK open-heartedly works for his village. Abhishek is not that talented as SRK in Swades. However, he is equally committed to facing grassroot corruption, age-old practices, and the tussle of power. He doesn't get much support from village people. However, he continues to understand the system and prepare for the CAT exam (so that he can get a better job) with charging emergency lights and killing mosquitoes.
By the time, we reach the 8th episode, we observe things changing and the system improving a little. There is not a single dull moment in the life of Abhishek as he performs the duties of a panchayat secretary.
Vibhu and I thoroughly enjoyed this web series. The series is so close to reality. The efforts that are put into the making of an original socially relevant comedy are clearly visible. As I come from North India and I know the reality of village Panchayats, I went crazy giggling at the dialogues. Vibhu has a habit of imitating people and he was out of control as he kept on watching episodes. The situations and incidents made him chuckling all along. Panchayat has an essence of rural life that is so humorous and worth watching with family. We have seen it twice already!
I liked Panchayat too. Simple, light and you can watch with your family. Waiting for part 2 of the same.
ReplyDeleteNice Series to watch ! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove to watch series with kids, it is one of the best time spent with them
ReplyDeleteThere are very few series that parents can watch with their kids. I am glad to hear the Panchayat is one of them.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you! Most of the series are full of foul language which gives no value to children. I must appreciate that she has chosen this series to write.
DeleteI have yet to watch Panchayat, but have heard rave reviews about it from friends. I'll give it a try now.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched Panchayat, but I'll be sure to catch it now.
ReplyDeleteThis series even I liked, very well made!!
ReplyDeleteLove this series. One of the cleanest web series that can be enjoyed with family
ReplyDeleteSreeparna
I am glad you wrote this post, I was becoming wary of what to watch something with my family. There is so much choice yet so limited choice when it comes to watching something on OTT with family.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 8 and I'm on the lookout for new shows and movies which we are always running out of thanks to the pandemic. This one seems interesting.
ReplyDeletePanchayat is one of my favorite series. I am hoping they bring in the season 2...
ReplyDeleteInfact my mother suggested this series to watch with kids. Great selection
ReplyDeleteAlways wanted to watch this but somehow I didn't. Thanks for the review:)
ReplyDeleteI also liked Panchayat, it's a good series
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to catch the series yet although I have heard a lot of good things about it. It is great to know it is watchable with kids too.
ReplyDeleteGive my love to Vibhu! Please tell him I too loved Panchayat. I am looking forward to more recommendations from the mommy-son duo!
ReplyDeleteI have watch this series twice, simply love it.
ReplyDeleteI have not watched Panchayat or the previous series you mentioned. The look like worth watching. Thank you for sharing about them.
ReplyDeletePanchayat is a lovely watch for kids.
ReplyDeleteI watched panchayat and soo relate to the points raised by you..kids these days love enjoying time with parents and I can only relate to your experiences
ReplyDeleteI havent watched Panchayat. I guess I will watch it with my daughter as she is learing about Panchayat in her Social science syllabus and nowadays kids are not aware at all about rural life. Should be a fun series to watch.
ReplyDeleteNeeta Gupta is always a selling point for me and Jeetendra is such an amazing actor. Loved the simplicity of this series
ReplyDeleteI had binged this series with mom and thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially how he deals with the electricity outages!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a watch for a chill afternoon day:)
ReplyDeletePanchayat series is really good to watch , this series also focus oon the rural issues we all fail to understand with.
ReplyDeleteWill surely let my kids watch this...
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