Amol Parashar strives to improve Panchayat 2.0 in healthcare environment; old formula, new prescription

Director: Rahul Pandey

Star Actors: Amol Parashar, Vinay Pathak, Akansha Ranjan, Anandeshwar Dwivedi, Akash Makhija

Plot: 5

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Rating: 2.5 stars

Arunabh Kumar’s TVF successfully brought rural issues into life with a relaxed tone, fresh characters and village environment related to Panchayat. But their second outing, Gram Chikitsalya, seems to revisit the same formula with a twist in health care, and it feels like a re-version of Panchayat. Familiar settings and character prototypes have now been ported to a healthcare environment, creating a sense of déjàvu that makes one wonder if they are viewing repetitive performances in different contexts.

Dr. Prabhat Sinha in Gram Chikitsalya follows a familiar character with Amol Parashar, reminiscent of Panchayat’s Abhishek Tripathi (played by Jeetendra) – a city-rich person relocated in a rural setting. However, in Chikitsalya, this move is an option rather than an environment-driven necessity. Likewise, he struggled to adapt, feeling helpless around the villagers, surrounded by a shocking actor, which echoed Panchayat. The compound played by Anandeshwar Dwivedi seems to borrow his manner and accent from Banrakas (Durgesh Kumar) of Panchayat, while Ward Boy Gobind of Akash Makhija brings Vikas (Chandan Roy) to the feeling of Déjàvu from Panchayat.

The show begins with a familiar plot, where compounder Phutani tries to dissuade newly appointed medical officer Dr. Prabhat from his position and, on the grounds that PHC is permanently closed, proves that no MO has lasted. But Dr. Prabhat’s arrival is an ambitious plan to change the clinic and revolutionize the health care in the village. He soon faced a harsh reality: a chaotic clinic that struggled to win the trust of villagers and local politics. His idealism clashed with the challenges of rural health care, including deep-rooted practices and superstitions. Additionally, Vinay Pathak’s character Chetak Kumar is a “Jholachap” doctor who also creates obstacles between Dr. Prabhat and the patient, complicating his efforts.

The series begins with weak notes, with predictable settings and characters that are too familiar with, which can lead to repetitive narratives. The attempt of humor, especially Vinay Pathak’s sentence “Sab Aadmi Ka practices Isi pe liye”, falls and stands out after an old man dies, is insensitive and more like a ridicule than a comedy. The series brings momentum when patients with unique and sometimes humorous illness arrive at the primary health care center. Like the case of swelling in patients, it will bring about a certain attitude.

The show ostensibly involves serious rural issues and lacks sensitivity. The introduction of the party played by Akansha Ranjan and Dr. Gargi is not relevant to the main plot, which strives to balance rural health care issues with the side story of the nurse and son. The narrative falters as it tries to turn to the serious tone of the end, trying to weave an incredible story. Instead, it feels incoherent and unexciting, ultimately undermining the established country comedy charm. Sometimes it feels like the show is being shipped entirely into another series, with a poignant sub-picture inserted awkwardly, rocking the narrative and shattering the process.

Directed by Rahul Pandey, the series has a story carefully designed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Kumar Mishra. However, Vaibhav Suman and Shreya Srivastava’s predictable scripts and conversations returned it. Nilotpal Bora’s music also cannot inject the necessary emotions and freshness. Despite Amol Parashar’s outstanding performance and talented actors including Vinay Pathak, Garima Vikrant Singh, Santoo Kumar, Anandeshwar Dwivedi and Akash Makhija, the classics in the series are awarded to a single-room category for classics like Panchayat.

Gram Chikitsalay will be available on Prime Video on May 9, 2025.