Gram Chikitsalay Season 1 Review : A beautiful blend of satire, emotion, and rural truths

Story: Prabhat Sinha, a newly graduated doctor, voluntarily takes up the role of medical officer at a Primary Health Centre in a village. To his shock, he soon discovers that most villagers are unwilling to visit the health center.

Review: ‘Gram Chikitsalay’ follows the journey of a young doctor whose first posting is at a village primary health center. The series captures, with sharp detail and humour, the everyday workings of the village and its overlap with the under-resourced health facility. Presented as a black comedy, it offers a near-real portrayal of rural life, full of absurdities, innocence, and emotional depth. While it evokes laughter through satire, the final two episodes pack an emotional punch that might leave you misty-eyed. Though it shares thematic similarities with ‘Panchayat,’ ‘Gram Chikitsalay’ carves out its own identity, delivering a satisfying blend of humour, drama, and heart.

The plot centers on Dr. Prabhat Sinha (Amol Parashar), a freshly minted medical graduate, who arrives in Bhatkandi, a remote village in North India, to take charge of its long-neglected Primary Health Center. Upon his arrival, he is shocked to find a rundown facility: the BP machine doesn't work, equipment is rusting away, and essential medicines are being siphoned off to Chetak Kumar, the local quack who relies on Google to treat patients. Phutani Ji (Anandeshwar Dwivedi), the compounder, and Govind (Akash Makhija), the ward boy, are rarely present and treat the health center more as a formality than a place of work. Determined to turn things around, Prabhat sets out to bring order and functionality back to the center. In doing so, he faces opposition not just from within the system but also from superstitious villagers, a mentally unstable nurse’s son, and local politicians with vested interests.

The performances are the show’s biggest strength. Amol Parashar as Dr. Prabhat Sinha brings sincerity and subtlety to the role, embodying a man caught between his ideals and the chaotic reality around him. Vinay Pathak is superbly cast as the quack Chetak Kumar, delivering a performance that’s both humorous and believable. But it’s the supporting cast that truly shines. Anandeshwar Dwivedi as Phutani Ji is a delight—his portrayal brims with quirks, warmth, and a rustic charm that stays with you. Akash Makhija complements him well as Govind, lending both comic timing and quiet support to the unfolding chaos.

‘Gram Chikitsalay’ succeeds because it stays true to its rural setting without resorting to caricature. For those familiar with life in North Indian villages, the series offers plenty of relatable moments—from the camaraderie among villagers to the myths that keep them away from government health services. The local dialects and casual conversations ground the narrative, giving it a lived-in, authentic feel. Comparisons with ‘Panchayat’ are inevitable, as both explore the life of a government employee posted in a village. But this series manages to chart its own path with a sharper satirical edge and a stronger focus on public healthcare.

In the end, ‘Gram Chikitsalay’ is a warm, sharply observed, and gently moving portrayal of village life. It’s not just about one doctor’s mission to reform a failing system—it’s also about the small triumphs, quiet failures, and deep-seated cultural beliefs that shape everyday rural India. Rooted in simplicity and sincerity, this series stands out as a heartfelt watch that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.