The natives of Phulera are back to your screens with another season intertwined with humour, drama and community spirit. Panchayat Season 3, which starts streaming on May 28, plays out in the backdrop of Panchayat elections that are being held at Phulera.
For first time watchers, Panchayat is a comedy drama that first premiered in 2020. It follows the journey of Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), an urban educated engineering graduate who finds himself taking up the position of Panchayat secretary in a fictional village called Phulera. What follows is his discovery of the villagers’ issues ranging from frequent power cuts and unorganised Panchayat services to dowry and family planning. He sets out to improve the villagers’ quality of life while navigating the Panchayat’s murky politics.
Season 3 is all about the Panchayat election, political rivalries and power dynamics at Phulera. Meanwhile, Abhishek is faced with a personal dilemma of choosing between his career aspirations and bettering the lives of the villagers.
We got a chance to speak to the Panchayat Pradhan Manju Devi (Neena Gupta), Assistant Pradhan Prahlad Pandey (Faisal Malik) and also the show’s director Deepak Mishra to understand what fans can expect in Season 3. Edited excerpts.
Tell us what’s happening in Season 3 and what are the key characters in the show up to?
Gupta: I remain the same, Manju Devi, the Pradhan of the village Panchayat living life as usual. I look after the household and my family comprising of my daughter and husband. Due to the other developments happening this season my role also goes forward and changes its shape. Manju finds herself more involved in election politics this season.
Malik: Season 2 ended with my character learning about a huge loss—the only family I had, my son, dies in war. This season follows his journey of dealing with grief and coming out of it. The Pradhanji also has things happening in her life which my character as her assistant gets involved with, which is quite interesting.
Mishra: A lot is happening in Season 3. Without revealing much I can say that a strong political rivalry is brewing and taking an unexpected form. The political rivalry between Bhushan (Raghubir Yadav) and Pradhanji is going to increase a lot. To what extent it reaches you should wait and watch.
The series and its characters have become household names with people across the globe watching this story set in the heartland of India. How does it feel to be a part of a project that resonates with such a large audience?
Gupta: It is very overwhelming as all kinds of people—rich, elite, lower class, middle class—are watching Panchayat. People have been asking me when the new season will come out since the last one year. Panchayat resonates with everyone which is a very rare thing, especially for a series based in a village. I used to think that affluent people or English-speaking or convent-educated people won’t watch it but they are and also sending me messages of how much they like it which is amazing.
Malik: As an actor, I feel God has blessed me a lot by giving me a chance to be a part of a project that so many people find themselves connected to. I am really grateful for that and also thankful to TVF and my director who believed in me when casting me. Panchayat really has been magical for me.
Mishra: I feel really proud to be a part of Panchayat. We always had the conviction about making a story that is so rooted and based in a village. But it is a lovely feeling to see that conviction materialise.
Panchayat continues to be loved by fans and Season 2 even won Best Web Series award at IFFI 2023. As you say, everyone is eagerly awaiting the new season. Does it create a lot of pressure to perform/create and live up to the fans’ expectations?
Gupta: As an actor, I would continue to do my best so that bit isn’t pressurising. But yes, now that the new season is coming out soon and seeing how people have really high expectations of it, one wonders if we will live up to those expectations. That does feel a little pressurising.
Malik: Yes, it does because Panchayat is so loved and we don’t want to let people down. But the biggest pressure of course is on the creators and our main guy—the director sahab because he has to kick it off. I’m merely a performer.
Mishra: Yes, there is some pressure but we don’t let that sway us from the purpose with which we set out to make this show. Sticking to that purpose is tough and because the show is loved by so many people, there is some pressure.
What is a standout memory for you while shooting for Season 3?
Gupta: I really enjoyed Raghubir Yadav’s company on set because we kept on singing and I learned a lot from him. He’s a great singer.
Malik: There are too many but when we’re shooting and the frame needs to be cleared, Deepak sir shouts out ‘abhi koi agar frame me agaya toh unse acting karwauga (if anyone comes into the frame I will make them act).’ When he says that, the people who aren’t required in the scene start running around to clear the frame. That is always very funny to watch.
Mishra: I have to say ‘abhi koi frame mein ayega toh unse audition karauga (if anyone comes into the frame I will get them to audition)’ and only then everyone speeds up to clear the frame. But a standout memory for me was when we were shooting a funeral scene and the ritual fire became too large. The actors ran back. I was worried if a mishap would occur but it was soon controlled. Everyone was so committed that they went back to their spots to continue the scene soon after. That dedication was really great to experience.
What was your last purchase on Amazon.in?
Gupta: An Audible subscription.
Malik: I ordered 3-4 things just the other day, including a Kapiva juice for detoxification. I also brought what I call the younger brother of microwave these days—an air fryer.
Mishra: I ordered some essentials and I recall a shampoo bottle being one of them.
What is on your Prime Video watch list?
Gupta: My last movie with Prime Video—Mast Mein Rehne Ka—which was loved by a lot of people.
Malik: There is a show called Yellow Stone which I really like.
Mishra: The recently released Prime Video Original Poacher.
