If you’re a fan of Panchayat, TVF’s new show Gram Chikitsalay might feel very familiar to you. It follows the same rural storytelling style, mixing humor with real-life village problems. While this makes for an enjoyable watch, the show does suffer from being a bit too predictable. Still, Amol Parashar brings charm and energy that helps keep the show alive.
The Story: A City Doctor in a Village
Gram Chikitsalay begins in the fictional village of Bhatkandi. Dr. Prabhat, played by Amol Parashar, is a young doctor from the city who comes to the village full of passion and high hopes. He dreams of running the local health center and improving people’s lives.
But things don’t go as planned. The clinic is in terrible shape—medical tools are rusty, rats have chewed on the equipment, and even the medicine stock is missing. Dr. Prabhat quickly realizes he’s not in the city anymore, and change won’t come easy.
Local Helpers and Challenges
Dr. Prabhat is joined by Compounder Phutani and ward boy Govind. They help him understand the ways of the village and introduce him to his biggest challenge—Chetak Kumar, a fake doctor (played by Vinay Pathak) who runs a popular but unqualified clinic.
There’s also Dr. Gargi (Akanksha Ranjan Kapoor), another doctor who tries to guide Prabhat without sugarcoating the village’s harsh realities. Thankfully, there’s no forced romance between them. Nurse Indu (Garima Vikrant Singh) adds a strong and honest presence, while her son Sudhir brings a surprising twist to the story.
What Works Well
One of the best parts of Gram Chikitsalay is how real the village feels. The dialogues and scenes capture the slow, steady pace of rural life. The show doesn’t try to solve big problems quickly. Instead, it focuses on small wins and everyday challenges, which feels genuine.
Amol Parashar is excellent as Dr. Prabhat. He shows both the hope and the frustration of someone trying to bring change in a tough environment. His performance adds heart to the show. The cinematography and editing also support the simple, relaxed tone of the series.
What Doesn’t Work
Despite its charm, the show falls into a repetitive pattern. It follows the same structure each episode: introduce a problem, try to solve it, and move on. This makes the plot feel stretched and slow in places. Some side stories, like local political drama or missing vaccine boxes, don’t add much value and feel disconnected.
Also, some characters like Vinay Pathak’s Chetak Kumar and Akanksha’s Dr. Gargi feel underused. They had the potential for more depth but aren’t given enough screen time.
