Director: Bhaskar Maurya
Cast: Rag mayur, Muralidhar Goud, Rupa Lakshmi, Uday guralla, Sunny Palle
Run Time: 8 Episodes
Genre: Comdey Drama
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
Release Date: 24 January 2025
Sivarapalli is a Telugu-language comedy-drama series, an official remake of the popular Hindi series Panchayat. The big question is, can this remake recreate the same magic as the original? Let’s find out.
Story
Shyam (Rag Mayur), an engineering graduate from Hyderabad, takes up the job of Panchayat Secretary in Sivarapalli due to a lack of job opportunities. While adjusting to his new life, he prepares for the GMAT, hoping to move to the USA.
In Sivarapalli, the village is controlled by Sarpanch’s husband, Mitta Sudhakar (Muralidhar Goud), who acts as the real leader, while the actual Sarpanch, Susheela(Rupa Lakshmi), stays at home as a housewife. What challenges does Shyam face in Sivarapalli? How does he overcome them? To find out, you need to watch the series.
Performance
Rag Mayur delivers a decent performance as Shyam, effectively portraying a young man who enjoys city life but is forced to work as a village secretary due to a lack of options. He maintains consistency throughout the series, capturing the frustration and adjustment struggles of his character well. However, he falls short of matching what Jitendra Kumar achieved as Abhishek Tripathi in Panchayat.
The standout performer in the series is Muralidhar Goud as Mitta Sudhakar, the Sarpanch’s husband. His exceptional performance, combined with his flawless Telangana slang, adds authenticity and entertainment to the show. He effortlessly brings humor and authority to his role, making his character one of the most engaging aspects of the series.
Rupa Lakshmi does a good job as Susheela, the actual Sarpanch, balancing her role well. Uday Guralla as Mallikarjun, the Deputy Sarpanch, and Sunny Palle as the office assistant also deliver decent performances, fitting well into their respective roles.
Analysis
Sivarapalli stays largely faithful to its original, Panchayat, while adding a local Telangana flavor. The initial episodes take time to settle, but the series picks up well as it progresses. The Telangana dialect enhances the authenticity of the narrative, making it more relatable to regional audiences.
One of the show’s biggest strengths is its well-written characters, especially Mitta Sudhakar, who steals the spotlight and dominates the screen. The humor is subtle and natural, making the series engaging without feeling forced. With each episode running around 30 minutes, the pacing remains smooth without unnecessary drag.
However, despite its strengths, Sivarapalli falls short of recreating the magic of the original. Panchayat is a classic, and capturing its charm in a remake is a tough challenge. Sivarapalli still stands as a decent adaptation that brings Panchayat to Telugu audiences in a relatable and entertaining way.
Verdict
Sivarapalli is a decent remake that retains the essence of Panchayat with a Telugu touch. While it falls short of recreating the original’s magic, it still offers a fresh experience for those new to Panchayat. For others, it may feel familiar but remains a simple and enjoyable village drama worth a try.
Rating: 3/5
