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OTT reviews

Web Series Name : Panchayat: Season 4
Streaming Date : June 24, 2025
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, Ashok Pathak, Pankaj Jha
Directors : Akshat Vijaywargiya, Deepak Kumar Mishra
Producers : Prajesh Mishra, Shreyansh Pandey, Vijay Koshy, Arunabh Kumar, Syed Zaid Ali, Zohaib Ali
Music Director : Anurag Saikia
Cinematographer : Amitabha Singh
Editors : Amit Kulkarni
Related Links : Trailer

One of the most popular Hindi web series, Panchayat, is back with its fourth season, now streaming exclusively in Hindi on Amazon Prime Video. Curious to know how this latest chapter unfolds? Here’s our full review.

Story:

Abhishek Tripathi, known as Sachivji (Jitendra Kumar), is focused on his CAT exams while tensions rise in Phulera. Pradhanji (Raghubir Yadav), after surviving a gunshot, files a case against Bhushan aka Banrakas (Durgesh Kumar) and MLA Chandu Singh (Pankaj Jha). Meanwhile, Abhishek faces a case for assaulting Bhushan. When he tries to apologise, Bhushan asks for a favour in return. The story then follows how the political rivalry between Pradhanji and Bhushan intensifies and where it eventually leads.

Plus Points:

The show continues to draw strength from its rooted characters and realistic tone. Jitendra Kumar delivers a calm and convincing performance. His understated presence aligns well with the series’ storytelling. He is backed by a capable cast that maintains the authenticity and emotional texture of the village setting.

Durgesh Kumar as Bhushan is one of the season’s biggest standouts. He brings an energy to his role, portraying the village troublemaker with impressive ease. Sunita Rajwar, as his wife Kranti Devi, offers strong support and holds her own in key scenes.

Raghubir Yadav as Pradhanji remains a dependable presence. Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, Faisal Malik as Prahlad, and Ashok Pathak as Binod all contribute with their natural performances. The chemistry among the cast remains a strong asset.

Scenes like the argument over laddoos, the uncomfortable dinner that follows, the IT raid, and the MLA’s cutting sarcasm offer moments of intrigue and humour that remind viewers why the series earned its place.

Minus Points:

Despite its familiar setting and beloved characters, this season struggles to find rhythm. While earlier seasons thrived on simplicity, warmth, and subtle humour, this one leans heavily into politics and loses the emotional core that once defined it.

The first few episodes set things up well, but the story begins to drag midway. The pacing slows, and many scenes feel stretched beyond purpose. The plot remains too safe and lacks any twists. The emotional depth is minimal, and the humour feels faint, leaving the audience waiting for more impact.

Rinki, played by Sanvikaa, is barely present and her character arc feels half-hearted. What could have been a meaningful thread is reduced to brief appearances that don’t carry much weight.

The cliffhanger ending leaves several questions hanging, which may not sit well with viewers hoping for closure.

Technical Aspects:

Direction by Akshat Vijaywargiya and Deepak Kumar Mishra is steady but uninspired. Writer Chandan Kumar struggles to inject the same charm and balance that earlier seasons had. The screenplay lacks freshness and too often feels padded.

Cinematography by Amitabha Singh is serviceable and maintains the familiar look of the show. However, the editing falls short. Several scenes run longer than necessary and could have benefited from tighter cuts to improve the flow.

The background score fits the mood but does not stand out. Production quality remains consistent with earlier seasons.

Verdict:

On the whole, Panchayat Season 4 tries to explore deeper political dynamics but loses the simplicity and emotional resonance that made the show special. The performances, especially from Jitendra Kumar and Durgesh Kumar, keep it afloat, but the overall experience feels diluted. With slower pacing, minimal humour, and few memorable moments, this chapter underwhelms. Fans may still find parts to enjoy, but should approach with modest expectations and plenty of patience.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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Dabba Cartel Web Series Review

Release Date : February 28, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Shabana Azmi, Gajraj Rao, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, Bhupendra Singh Jadawat, and others
Director : Hitesh Bhatia
Producer : Excel Media & Entertainment
Music Director : Gaurav Raina, Tarana Marwah

Cinematographer : Eeshith Narain
Editor : Manas Mittal, Prakashit Jha
Related Links : Trailer

Dabba Cartel is the latest crime thriller series that premiered on Netflix. Set against the backdrop of drug peddling, the series is directed by Hitesh Bhatia and features several prominent female actors in lead roles. Check out our review to see how the series fared.

Story:

Dabba Cartel’s story is set in Mumbai. After a pharmaceutical company’s unauthorized drugs cause several mishaps, Food and Drugs Safety Officer Pathak (Gajraj Rao) begins an investigation to unfold the truth. On the other hand, several women involved in the ‘Dabba’ business – Raji (Shalini Pandey), Maala (Nimisha Sajayan), and Shahida (Anjali Anand) – get entangled in this case. Sheela (Shabana Azmi) and Varuna (Jyothika) also get involved in this shady business. The story unravels the mystery behind the mafia, the link between the pharmaceutical company and the ‘Dabba’ business ladies.

Plus Points:

Dabba Cartel is crafted as a crime thriller with a drug-peddling backdrop. The show engages viewers with its tightly knitted screenplay and unexpected twists. The first episode establishes the lead characters and their connections with one another.

Dabba Cartel consists of 7 episodes. The show explores the relationship between the characters well, especially the women involved in the ‘Dabba’ business. The emotional journey of the women is well portrayed. The changing shades and dynamics of the characters and their development as the story progresses are well depicted.

The relationships between the lead characters and the bold elements within the storyline are portrayed in a detailed manner. As the investigation into the drug business progresses, the efforts of the drugs officer, along with the police, add to the appeal. The revelation of the main antagonist at the right time will leave the audience impressed. The performances of all the actors are captivating.

Minus Points:

Despite the twists and riveting performances by the lead actors, the narration lacks proper pace, making it hard for viewers to quickly connect with the characters. The series has good content and ample scope for performances, but it misses some gripping elements that are key to keeping the viewers engaged.

The series has far too many characters, and it works against it. Director Hitesh Bhatia couldn’t succeed in preventing the story from deviating. As the plot unfolds, several scenes feel boring due to excessive length, and the introduction of too many new characters often gets tiresome. Certain lengthy scenes drag on and on, testing the audience’s patience.

Despite featuring solid content, the series ends up being more of a routine crime series rather than a gripping thriller. Had the makers paid more attention to the screenplay, music, and editing, the outcome could have been different.

Performances:

Shalini Pandey, Nimisha Sajayan, and Anjali Anand deliver solid performances as women involved in the ‘Dabba’ business. Nimisha, in particular, stands out with her performance. The highlight of the series is Shabana Azmi. It looks like Jyothika, despite being a seasoned actor, is given less prominence. The rest of the actors do justice to their roles.

Technical Aspects:

While director Hitesh Bhatia chose a good story, he couldn’t succeed in executing it properly. Despite a good story and strong performances, the series fails to capitalize on these elements. The narrative could have been more gripping, and the background score complements the drama that unfolds, though the songs that appear midway can be tedious. Cinematography is decent, but editing could have been better. Several scenes needed trimming. The production values are good.

Verdict:

Dabba Cartel features riveting content needed for a good crime thriller series. However, the director failed to translate the thrill factor perfectly, resulting in a boring and lackluster show. The story loses its track due to the presence of far too many characters. Fans of the crime thriller genre might want to explore other options.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team 

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Hisaab Barabar Movie Review

Movie Name : Hisaab Barabar

Release Date : January 24, 2025

123telugu.com Rating : 2/5

Starring : Madhavan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kirti Kulhari, and others

Director : Ashwni Dhir

Producers : K. T. Kunjumon, Jio Studios, SP Cinecorp

Music Director : Aman Pant

Cinematographer : M. Sukumar

Editor : Manan Sagar

Related Links : Trailer

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