‘Panchayat’ is one of India’s most loved web series, known for its honest storytelling, subtle humour and charming characters. With Season 4 recently streaming, fans have once again immersed themselves in the simple yet eventful lives of the villagers of Phulera.While the show’s strong writing and cast members often take the spotlight, a recent report by NDTV has revealed how much the main cast members earned per episode in the latest season—and the numbers might surprise you.Jitendra Kumar takes home the highest payAccording to the NDTV report, Jitendra Kumar, who plays the central character of Abhishek Tripathi (or “Sachiv Ji”), is the highest-paid actor in Season 4. He reportedly received Rs 70,000 per episode. With eight episodes in the season, his total earnings come to about Rs 5.6 lakh.This doesn’t come as a shock, considering the show’s success and Jitendra’s popularity. He has been the face of ‘Panchayat’ since Season 1 and has also received awards and critical praise for his performance.Neena Gupta reportedly paid Rs 50,000 per episodeFollowing closely behind is veteran actress Neena Gupta, who plays Manju Devi, the elected Pradhan of Phulera. She reportedly received Rs 50,000 per episode, making her one of the top earners on the show. Her total income for the season would stand at Rs 4 lakh.Raghubir Yadav and others also get noticedSeasoned actor Raghubir Yadav, who plays the much-loved Pradhan Ji (Brij Bhushan Dubey), reportedly earned Rs 40,000 per episode, amounting to around Rs 3.2 lakh for the season. Actor Chandan Roy, known for his role as Vikas, earned a total of Rs 1.6 lakh for all eight episodes, which means he was paid around Rs 20,000 per episode. Faisal Malik, who plays Prahlad Chacha, is also believed to have earned a similar amount, though this has not been officially confirmed. Etimes could not independently verify these figures.What happens in Season 4?The storyline in Season 4 revolves around a major local election in the village. Two strong-headed women—Manju Devi and Kranti Devi—go head-to-head in a heated campaign to become the next village Pradhan. While they are the candidates, it’s their husbands, Pradhan Ji (Brij Bhushan) and Banrakas, who do most of the campaigning, using every trick and taunt they can muster. The election plot becomes the heart of the season, filled with drama, village politics and clever humour that the show is known for.This season also brings deeper emotional layers as it touches upon loneliness, friendship, political rivalry and social change in rural India.
