Sivarapalli Review: Is This Telugu Remake of Panchayat Worth Watching?
Last Sunday, the Sivarapalli series caught our attention, and we’re finally here with its review. This series consists of eight episodes, with each averaging around 30 minutes in runtime. For many, the Hindi series “Panchayat,” which has already released three super-duper hit seasons, is well-known. Sivarapalli is its Telugu remake.
Directly to the point, this Sivarapalli series proved to be an enjoyable ride. As each episode progressed, it created an urge to watch the next, bringing smiles to our faces with occasional emotional moments. All eight episodes maintained this engaging pace.
Unpacking the Story: What is Sivarapalli About?
The basic storyline follows a protagonist whose friends pursue higher education in America. In contrast, the hero secures a government job, becoming a Panchayat Secretary. His job location is the village of Sivarapalli. Disliking the job and completely unaccustomed to the village environment, the story explores the challenges he faces and the events that unfold after his arrival.
Performances and Why It Works (The Plus Points)
Ragmayoor, portraying a government official, fit the role perfectly and performed exceptionally well. Many might remember his performance in the movie “Cinema Bandi,” and here too, he delivers a strong act. Muralidhar Goud is also perfectly suited for his role.
The series stands out for its unique situations in each episode, all centered around the people and life in the rural village of Sivarapalli. It beautifully captures the essence of a village Panchayat office. While Panchayat had its own flavor, Sivarapalli provides a relatable “South flavor” that resonates with our sensibilities. Throughout the series, there were many instances that genuinely made us laugh.
Areas for Improvement (The Minus Points)
For those who have already watched “Panchayat,” the entire plot is already known, so Sivarapalli might not offer much newness. Additionally, some episodes, particularly the later ones, felt slow. It was also noted that not all events happen consecutively; sometimes, events spanning a month are condensed into a single episode.
Regarding family viewing, in the third episode’s bridegroom scene, an English foul word is used. While it suited the scene and generated laughter initially, its repeated use could become uncomfortable for some viewers. The fifth episode also felt a bit slow. In the sixth episode, the portrayal of the entire brave gang suddenly getting scared towards the end felt “over the top” and less believable compared to the original version, suggesting it could have been modified for more realism. The seventh episode, too, was very slow, lacking significant fun or drama. It felt like a missed opportunity to rectify the original’s mistakes and the sense of “lag” in these later episodes. The eighth episode, apart from the final 10 minutes featuring the national anthem, was also largely “laggy.”
Sivarapalli Episode Guide
- Episode 1: Sam Sir (42 minutes): This episode was driven by comedy and created a strong interest to finish the entire series. It marked a good start.
- Episode 2: Deyyam Chettu (The Ghost Tree) (30 minutes): This episode revolved around rumors of a ghost in the village, exploring whether they were true or false. It was also good.
- Episode 3: Chakkala Guchchi (35 minutes): This was a particularly humorous episode where the reviewer laughed a lot. It involved the secretary being asked to look after a groom-to-be and his friends, leading to various funny and awkward situations. The aforementioned foul word appears here, but overall, fun was well generated.
- Episode 4: Addagardida (30 minutes): This episode began with comedy to highlight the importance of educating girls, concluding with an emotional message. It was a good episode.
- Episode 5: Kanabadatam Ledu (Missing) (30 minutes): This episode centered around a missing computer monitor. While it felt a bit slow, it ended with an emotional touch and a smile on the face.
- Episode 6: Idem Lolli (What is this trouble) (25 minutes): This episode depicted youth from a neighboring village provoking the Sivarapalli youth into a fight. However, the sudden fear shown by the previously brave gang at the end was perceived as “over the top” and less believable.
- Episode 7: Chadukonivvandi Please (Let them study please) (28 minutes): This episode was noted as very slow, with little fun or drama.
- Episode 8 (30 minutes): The final 10 minutes, featuring the national anthem, were highly praised. However, the rest of the episode was considered “laggy.” Similar to Panchayat Season 1, it introduced a young girl towards the end, hinting at a “next season coming soon.”
Final Verdict: Is Sivarapalli For You?
For those who have already watched the original “Panchayat,” Sivarapalli might not offer a novel experience, as the story will be familiar. However, for new viewers, it is definitely an enjoyable ride. Despite some slow moments interspersed throughout, it stands as a decent remake with many fun-filled moments.
Rating: 3.25/5
