Laugh, Love, Win: Panchayat 2 Takes Home First-Ever OTT Award at IFFI Gala
Goa: In a historic win, the heartwarming Hindi comedy-drama series, “Panchayat 2,” triumphed as it secured the prestigious first-ever OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa. Streamed on Amazon Prime Video, the series not only captivated audiences but also garnered critical acclaim for its narrative depth and engaging storytelling.
Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and penned by Chandan Kumar, Panchayat 2 unfolds the tale of Abhishek Tripathi. An urban graduate reluctantly takes on the role of Secretary at a dilapidated Panchayat Office in the remote fictional village of Phulera, situated in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district.
Building on the resounding success of its debut season, the second installment delves deeper into Abhishek’s life in Phulera. It deftly navigates fresh challenges amidst the village’s politics while Abhishek simultaneously prepares for his CAT exams, aspiring for a corporate future. The season, rich in relatable moments and abundant humor, candidly portrays the daily trials of village life. It sheds light on Abhishek’s evolving relationships with Pradhan, Vikas, Prahlad, and Manju Devi while juggling a myriad of village issues.
At the 54th IFFI’s inaugural function, Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the booming growth of the OTT industry in India. He lauded the sector’s dynamic annual growth rate of 28% and introduced the OTT awards to honor outstanding digital content creators across platforms.
“Panchayat 2” stood out among formidable contenders, including Rocket Boys Season 1 by Abhay Pannu, Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapsi by Rahul Pandey & Satish Nair, and Human directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah & Mozez Singh. The Jury Panel unanimously recommended a special mention for the web series “Rocket Boys Season 1,” streamed on Sony Liv.
The competition drew an impressive 32 entries spanning 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms, underscoring the diverse and dynamic landscape of digital content creation in India. The recognition of “Panchayat 2” at the IFFI not only celebrates its artistic achievement but also acknowledges the burgeoning impact and influence of Indian original content in the global digital space.
