‘Panchayat’ Season 5 is expected to bring significant changes to the lives of Phulera’s residents, with actor Faisal Malik teasing unexpected twists in the popular Prime Video series. Malik, who plays Prahlad Pandey, says the upcoming season will retain its signature blend of comedy and drama while taking the characters in surprising new directions. The actor also reflects on playing Prahlad for half a decade and his decision to resist being typecast after successful roles.
Faisal Malik promises major twists in ‘Panchayat’ Season 5
Fans of Panchayat can expect a different kind of journey when the series returns for its fifth season. Faisal Malik, who portrays Prahlad Pandey, has hinted at substantial changes in Phulera, suggesting that the upcoming chapter will take the characters through unexpected developments. While the show will continue to balance humour with emotional drama, Malik believes the new season will offer surprises that viewers may not anticipate.“’Panchayat’ Season 5 is going to take a drastic turn. There will be a lot of shifts and changes in the lives of all the characters. Needless to say, the show will continue to serve comedy and drama like in the last four seasons, but there will be something very wild which will catch you off guard,” Malik told Variety India in an interview.
‘Panchayat’ Season 5: Prahlad’s journey will continue to evolve
Although Malik has kept the specifics of Prahlad’s storyline under wraps, he indicated that the character’s journey would continue to progress. He also suggested that the changes would extend across the ensemble, giving each character a significant development in the fifth season.“As a character, there is, of course, an upward trajectory because the foundation of this show is rock solid. I cannot reveal where Prahlad goes in terms of the plot, but every character is going to go through a solid twist in the fifth season. The fact that the audience will have a fun rollercoaster ride with this season is guaranteed,” the actor said.
Faisal Malik on playing Prahlad Pandey for half a decade
Having played Prahlad for more than five years, Malik says his understanding of the character has become instinctive. He has developed a sense of how Prahlad might respond to different circumstances, allowing him to approach the role with an established understanding of the character’s personality and emotional world.“I have played the character of Prahlad for half a decade now, so I have a blueprint for him in my subconscious, ready at all times. I have a rough idea in my head of where he can go and where I can take him. I know how and what he will do when situations are thrown at him. This character has given me a whole lot in life,” he said.Prahlad has become an important part of the series’ emotional fabric, with his personal struggles adding depth to the humour and everyday situations that define life in Phulera. Malik’s familiarity with the role, however, has not diminished his interest in exploring new characters and different creative challenges.
‘Panchayat’ success and the challenge of typecasting
Malik also spoke about the expectations that can follow an actor after a memorable performance. Recalling his role as a police officer in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, he said the response to the character led to repeated requests for similar performances. He experienced a comparable situation after Panchayat, but maintained that an actor should not be expected to recreate a successful role in every project.“But I cannot play him everywhere. The brief people give me at times is quite bad. Like, I played a cop in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, and I had so many people come to me saying they wanted me to do something similar. They have an image in mind, and I cannot give in to that. The same happened after ‘Panchayat’ as well. But then, it is a choice to not repeat myself,” Malik said.
What is ‘Panchayat’ about?
Created by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Chandan Kumar, ‘Panchayat’ follows Abhishek Tripathi, played by Jitendra Kumar, an engineering graduate who becomes the panchayat secretary in the fictional village of Phulera in Uttar Pradesh. The series builds its narrative around village politics, local rivalries, everyday absurdities and the relationships that develop among its residents.Alongside Jitendra Kumar and Faisal Malik, the ensemble includes Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, Raghubir Yadav as Brij Bhushan Dubey, Chandan Roy as Vikas, Sanvikaa as Rinki and Durgesh Kumar as Bhushan. Across its four seasons, the show has earned a following for combining understated comedy with moments of personal loss, friendship and community life.
‘Panchayat’ Season 5 release update and Faisal Malik’s work slate
On July 7, 2025, TVF and Amazon Prime Video revealed across their social channels that the fifth season is slated for a 2026 premiere.