Panchayat (TVF webseries,2020)
by
Deepak Kumar Mishra
(Available on Prime)
Jitendra Kumar is as honest an actor as they come. He is willing to bare his soul before the camera, and does not mind playing everyman on the screen. He does not get placed well during placements, and arrives in a village to take a job as Panchayat Secretary.
He cribs and curses his luck and tries for management entrance during his stay, but fails to get admission. He gradually adjusts to life in the village and to the people around him.
Nina Gupta plays the sarpanch-in-name, while it is her husband Raghubeer Yadav who takes care of official duties. Chandan Roy, the writer plays Office Assistant with aplomb. The acting performances are subtle and genuine.
It is in small gestures and interplay that the series comes to life. Jitendra's character of a grumbling youngster is a nice, simple boy and he soon realizes how the villagers are simpletons too. As their mutual distrust dissolves, arises affection and camaradrie.
Raghubeer's gifting a gourd to anyone he meets, Jitu's search for company and calm, Nina's stern rudeness arising out of a need to keep her husband on toes and Chandan's helpful attitude manages to touch chords.
Panchayat is a comedy-of-situation without much plot to follow. Its strength lies in characters and writing, and the whole genuiness of effort.
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