Dupahiya

If there's one thing that's hard for Dupahiya to escape, it's the massive shadow of Panchayat. Let's face it, Panchayat was a game-changer. It set a gold standard for rural-based comedy dramas, and the expectations from any new show trying to do something similar are bound to be sky-high.

Dupahiya, steps into this territory with a story set in the small village and honestly, it gives off Panchayat vibes in the first few minutes. The slow-paced, village-life charm, the ensemble cast, the small-town dynamics, it all feels familiar. But it's also quite different in its own right. It has a slightly more comedic, lighter tone, especially with its plot being more focused on the villagers' ridiculous, yet endearing, antics rather than the deeper, more grounded storytelling of Panchayat. The show does have moments where you think it could veer into that Panchayat-style emotional depth, but it stops short and keeps things breezy.

That said, the show does stumble in some areas. Take the entire subplot of getting the bike from Pintu bhai. Sure, it's meant to add some humor and build the tension, but it just feels unnecessarily prolonged. By the time the bike situation is resolved, you're not laughing as much as you're wondering why it took so long. The whole ordeal with Pintu bhai could've been trimmed down, and the story might've moved at a better pace.

This one bit where the characters dress up as women for a dance performance. It's clearly just there for laughs, but honestly, it feels a bit forced. It's the kind of humor that feels like the writers are trying too hard to push in that "random" comedy that we've all seen in countless shows.

However, It's a light, fun show with a good heart, and it ends on a solid note, which is a huge plus. The conclusion definitely shows that the creators know where they're going with the story, and it gives you hope that future episodes could be better.

As for the acting, the cast does a decent job, but Gajraj Rao, who plays the Jha family head, doesn't really seem to shine here. His performance felt a bit off, or maybe it was the plot that didn't give him enough room to flex his acting chops.

There's definitely potential here for the show. It's not Panchayat, but it's got a unique flavor of its own. For now, it's an enjoyable watch, but whether it can carve out a lasting legacy is something we will have wait and see.