Veteran actor Neena Gupta recently spoke about the evolution of her character Manju Devi on the hit show Panchayat, describing how the role enabled her to bring out the possibilities of women taking leadership positions.
"My experience with Panchayat really started with the first season, specifically the flag hoisting scene—that was a turning point for Manju Devi," Neena remembered.
"In several rural villages, it is typical for women to be not involved with some issues by default or through tradition. What I liked about Manju Devi is that she decided to defy convention."
She continued to explain the slow development of her character: "She started gaining confidence, asking questions, and soon asserting her independence. Change like that is never sudden—it's a slow process, just as in life."
Neena also noted that the conventional idea of the Pradhanpati—where the husband of the elected female chief serves as the de facto head—remains prevalent in many regions of the nation.
"With this series, I'm so happy we were able to prove that if women can take charge and lead, then yes, they can," she reiterated.
Actress Sunita Rajwar, who plays Kranti Devi, also spoke of her personal connection with her character, calling it a deeply enriching experience.
“What drew me to her character was how she stands tall, not just beside her husband, but as an equal. She’s not just a housewife from a village—she thinks and reacts like any empowered woman would, no matter where she comes from,” Sunita explained.
That dynamic of mutual respect and strength in Kranti Devi’s marriage particularly resonated with her.
"I've really enjoyed being able to play this side of her. And when you get close with a character like this, you begin connecting with them in your own life, too. We're all human, at the end of the day—we all have a little bit of innocence in us," she continued.
Sunita also spoke from the heart about playing Kranti Devi: "It's not only the audience who relates to the character; so does the actor. I actually feel very happy and blessed to play her."
The fourth season of Panchayat boasts a stellar cast including Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, and Pankaj Jha.
Directed by The Viral Fever, the new season is directed by creators Deepak Kumar Mishra and Chandan Kumar, with the writing and direction by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Akshat Vijaywargiya.
Panchayat Season 4 will release on Prime Video on June 24.
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