Clumsy Compass

Review of Panchayat Season 4 (Amazon Prime Video) Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) After three successful and widely appreciated seasons, Panchayat Season 4 had massive expectations riding on its shoulders. Unfortunately, the latest season falls short of the charm, wit, and emotional depth that defined its earlier chapters. While the core cast remains strong and consistent, the overall execution feels disappointing, leaving fans underwhelmed. The biggest letdown lies in the storyline — it's flat, uninspired, and drenched in a dull, melancholic tone. The slow pace and heavy-handed emotional segments feel forced rather than heartfelt, and the light-hearted humor and quirky village politics that once made Panchayat such a refreshing watch are mostly absent. The writing, which once beautifully balanced rural satire with subtle emotion, now seems to have run out of steam. The attempt to dive deeper into political and emotional themes is evident, but it lacks nuance. Instead of evoking empathy or engagement, the narrative becomes weighed down by a sense of sadness and stagnation. That said, the cast continues to deliver strong performances. Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and Faisal Malik remain authentic and committed, carrying what little life the show has left. But even their sincere efforts can’t save the series from its dull trajectory. In the end, Panchayat Season 4 feels like a misstep — a show that had built a loyal fanbase with its simplicity and heart, now struggling to find a compelling reason to continue. The hype and anticipation, sadly, resulted in a forgettable season. Verdict: A missed opportunity. Unless you're a die-hard fan of the series or its characters, this season might just leave you disappointed.

Valiant One aims to deliver a tense military thriller, but unfortunately falls short on multiple fronts. The film follows a group of rookie soldiers on a mission, but their portrayal is marred by unrealistic decision-making and numerous technical blunders that would be highly unlikely in real-world enemy territory. These inaccuracies undercut the believability and tension the movie tries to build. The storyline feels weak and unfocused, lacking a clear narrative thread or meaningful character development to keep viewers invested. Instead of a gripping plot, we're given a series of loosely connected events that don't quite build to anything compelling. Cinematography is average at best. The visuals don’t elevate the film and, at times, expose what seems to be a low budget and a lack of seasoned production experience. The film doesn’t capitalize on atmosphere or setting in any impactful way, which is a missed opportunity in a genre that heavily relies on mood and visual storytelling. Overall, Valiant One struggles with realism, narrative cohesion, and production quality, leaving it feeling more like an amateur effort than a polished military thriller.