The highly anticipated final episode of Panchayat Season 4, titled ‘Dabdaba’, has unexpectedly received the lowest IMDb rating in the show’s history, scoring only 8.4. While that may still be considered a decent score in general, it is a significant drop when compared to previous episodes and finales from earlier seasons, which consistently scored above 9.0. This sudden dip has surprised both fans and critics, who have long praised Panchayat as one of the most realistic and beloved Indian web series. However, it seems this time the finale failed to meet the emotional and narrative expectations of its loyal audience.
High Expectations, Low Payoff
With its title ‘Dabdaba’, which translates to “domination” or “influence,” the finale had set up high expectations among viewers. Fans were anticipating a powerful, gripping conclusion that would resolve major plotlines and bring the story arc to a satisfying end. Instead, what they received was a slow-paced, politically charged episode that leaned heavily on dialogue and party politics, leaving most emotional and personal storylines untouched. Many fans expressed that the episode felt unfinished, dragged, and emotionally flat.
The show, which had always stood out for its simple yet effective storytelling, seems to have lost some of its charm in this final installment. Earlier episodes of the season had done a good job building suspense and setting up multiple threads, from Abhishek’s journey and love angle to the ongoing village politics. But instead of tying these up neatly, Dabdaba left most of these stories hanging, leading to widespread disappointment.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Storm
Fans took to social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit to share their discontent with the finale. The general mood among viewers was one of frustration and letdown, especially considering the strong buildup through the first seven episodes of the season. Some users called it a “wasted opportunity”, while others termed it “bland”, “boring”, and “the weakest episode in the show’s history.”
One fan on Twitter commented, “You can’t build eight episodes of anticipation and end it like that. Where is the emotional closure? Where is the humour we all loved?” Another user posted, “Panchayat didn’t need drama. It needed depth and sincerity. Sadly, the finale missed both.” The trend soon became a topic of discussion in entertainment forums and media platforms, drawing attention to the mixed reactions the show was receiving despite its previously flawless record.
The Missing Magic of Panchayat
What made Panchayat stand out in the crowded world of Indian web series was its authentic portrayal of village life, its subtle humour, and its relatable characters. Whether it was Sachiv Ji’s (Abhishek’s) struggle with adjusting to rural bureaucracy or Pradhan Ji’s witty political maneuvering, the show always managed to strike a chord with viewers. But in Dabdaba, that magic seemed missing. The episode focused heavily on the political rivalry and strategy of the panchayat elections, overshadowing the human element and emotional narratives that were the true strength of the series.
Important subplots like Abhishek and Rinki’s growing bond, Prahlad’s emotional recovery, and Vikas’s personal struggles were barely addressed. Even Manju Devi’s evolving role as a leader and wife was reduced to a few lines, leaving fans asking for more. The result was an episode that felt more like a setup for another season than a true finale.
Strong Performances Can’t Save Weak Writing
Despite the backlash, the actors’ performances remained one of the few saving graces of the episode. Jitendra Kumar once again shined as Abhishek Tripathi, portraying a character torn between career aspirations and the emotional connections he has developed in Phulera. His natural and subtle acting brought out the conflict within the character, even if the script didn’t give him much to work with in this episode. Neena Gupta as Manju Devi continued to be a powerful presence on screen, balancing her roles as a mother, politician, and village woman with grace.
Raghubir Yadav as Pradhan Ji retained his charm and wit, but his storyline in Dabdaba revolved mostly around political maneuvering rather than any personal growth or transformation. Faisal Malik as Prahlad Pandey, who had been a standout in the previous seasons due to his emotional arc and stoic grief, was unfortunately underused in the finale. His silence spoke volumes in earlier episodes, but here it felt like a missed opportunity to show some progression.
Direction and Screenplay Under Fire
The direction by Deepak Kumar Mishra and writing by Chandan Kumar have been appreciated in the past for their realism, simplicity, and deep understanding of rural India. However, the same team seems to have missed the mark with Dabdaba. The episode lacked the tight screenplay and emotional punch that fans have come to expect from the show. The dialogues felt repetitive in places, and the pacing was slow, almost to the point of being frustrating.
The cinematography remained consistent with the rest of the series, capturing the dusty village roads, green fields, and everyday life of Phulera. But even the beautiful visuals could not make up for the lack of emotional depth and story closure in the finale.
Comparison with Earlier Season Finales
To understand why fans are disappointed, one only needs to look at the finales of previous seasons. Season 1 ended with a touching realization about friendship and belonging. Season 2 brought in powerful emotional drama with Prahlad’s grief. Season 3 took things a step further with deeper political intrigue and character transformation. Each of these seasons left the audience with a sense of fulfillment, if not complete closure.
In contrast, Dabdaba felt more like a middle episode than a conclusion. It introduced new twists, such as election drama and government transfer possibilities, but failed to wrap up existing arcs. This approach left viewers feeling that the creators were intentionally stretching the story for a possible Season 5, without giving this season a proper ending.
Will There Be a Panchayat Season 5?
Given how Dabdaba ends, many fans are now speculating about Panchayat Season 5. The open-ended nature of several plots—Abhishek’s future, Rinki’s role, Pradhan Ji’s political journey, and Prahlad’s recovery—suggests that the creators are planning to continue the story. However, viewers are demanding that if a new season is in the works, it must bring back the original essence of the show: simplicity, emotion, and resolution.
Amazon Prime Video has not made an official announcement yet, but judging by the show’s popularity, there is a strong chance of renewal. What remains to be seen is whether the makers will listen to audience feedback and correct course for the next chapter.
Panchayat’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
Despite the misstep in the finale, Panchayat remains one of India’s most successful and loved web series. It set a benchmark for content-driven storytelling, proving that a good script and solid performances are more powerful than star power or big budgets. It redefined what a rural drama could look like in the digital age, and its earlier seasons will continue to be cherished by fans.
However, Dabdaba serves as a reminder that even the best shows need to deliver satisfying conclusions. Viewers today are more aware, more involved, and more critical than ever before. They seek closure, depth, and authenticity, especially from a show they have emotionally invested in for multiple seasons.
Panchayat Season 4 was, for the most part, a solid season with great storytelling and relatable characters. But its finale Dabdaba, with an IMDb rating of 8.4, turned out to be the weakest episode in terms of narrative satisfaction. It was not a complete failure, but definitely a missed opportunity to end on a high note.The performances were powerful, the direction was sincere, but the writing and structure let the finale down. As the makers reflect on audience feedback, there is hope that any future seasons will restore the charm, closure, and emotional impact that made Panchayat a modern classic.
