The first season of Panchayat was premiered just a few days into the countrywide lockdown in 2020 and quickly became a fan and critical favourite. Director Deepak Kumar Mishra said he could not have imagined the outpouring of love from audiences; the key at The Viral Fever was always to concentrate on the script and keep working on it.
“They weren’t that many expectations [with Season 2], but the pressure had certainly increased,” Mishra said. “We had big shoes to fill. Wherever we go, there’s talk of Panchayat, even in the remotest villages. We have tried to do our best from our side. We hope audiences like it.”
At the launch of the trailer for Panchayat (Season 2), the cast gathered to tease new plotlines. Artistes Raghubir Yadav, Jitendra Kumar, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy and Sunita Rajwar were presented after the trailer was unveiled.
Amazon Prime Video India’s Manish Menghani said of the show’s USP, “I think there is a certain thing about the narrative. It’s really simple and it’s nuanced and it comes with this tinge of humour."
Panchayat (Season 1) ended with Jitendra Kumar’s Abhishek Tripathi finally meeting the elusive Rinky (Pooja Singh), daughter of the pradhan. Moderator Rohini Ramnathan asked the question everyone wanted asnwered: is there a romance brewing between the characters?
Jitendra Kumar certainly hinted at it when he said they have an 'interesting' track and maybe his character Abhishek, the panchayat secretary, would be reluctant to leave the village of Phulera in Season 2.
“When we were making the show, we were wondering what its reach would be,” the actor said. “We were sure we had to make good content. Kitne log dekhenge itna idea nahin tha [How many people would watch, we had no idea].”
Veteran actor Yadav brought the laughs on stage as he sparred with new cast member Rajwar as Kranti Devi, almost like in character. “I’ve learnt a lot from the pradhan,” he said. “I’ve always been learning [on the job].”
Rajwar, who joins the show this season, said, “As all of you became fans after watching the show, likewise, I also became a fan. Artistes are hungry sometimes [for a good role] and think, I wish I had also done something like this. Meri toh woh murad puri ho gayi [My wish was granted].”
Panchayat (Season 2) will be premiered on 20 May on Amazon Prime Video.