Gram Chikitsalay Review: 4 REASONS Why Gram Chikitsalay is DIFFERENT

If you’re someone who loves good and touching stories mixed with drama, humor and subtle social commentary, then Gram Chikitsalay is one series that you must take a look at. This TVF (The Viral Fever) production, which was released on Amazon Prime Video on May 9, 2025, became the talk of town for showing the other, very real, side of rural India and its subsequent healthcare struggles. For a person like me, who had the fortune of hearing stories of the copious, rural life from grandparents, the series was both nostalgic and an eye opener. In this review, let me demystify what makes Gram Chikitsalay worth watching, its high points, its low points and why it’s more than just “Panchayat’s cousin.” Let’s dive in!

What Is Gram Chikitsalay?

Plot Gram Chikitsalay features Dr. Prabhat Sinha (Amol Parashar), a newly passed out doctor who leaves the comfort of Delhi and works as a doctor on an honorary basis at an ignored Primary Health Centre (PHC) of a remote village of Bhatkandi in Jharkhand with which he feels connected politically and geographically, due to his postgraduate education.

Hoping to make a difference, Prabhat is immediately confronted by the grim facts of rural health care: a clinic that doesn’t work right, and a staff that doesn’t cooperate, and villagers who prefer to trust a local quack named Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak) over a bona fide doctor. Created by Deepak Kumar Mishra and directed by Rahul Pandey, the five 30-minute episodes are funny, poignant and thought-provoking in equal measure.

The premise of the show isn’t entirely novel — \ a’s Panchayat follows that of an urban outsider in a rural space too but Gram Chikitsalay takes a different route by turning the lens on the healthcare system. It is a story of resilience, community and the collision between modern values and ancestral traditions.

Why Gram Chikitsalay is Different

1. Real Stories That Ring True

GRAM CHIKITSALAY:A Journey From the dusty roads to the quirky small-town chatter, GRAM CHIKITSALAY gets the vibe of rural India spot on. The show does not deny the absurdities that follow from life in a village — a kavi sammelan at a funeral feast; villagers’ foolish belief in a “jhola chhaap” quack. But at no point does it ever feel like it’s poking fun at its characters. Instead it presents them with warmth and humanity. For someone who has spent summers in a small town, the dialogue and mannerisms were a trip down memory lane. The regional dialect and colloquial chatter give Bhatkandi a lived-in feel.

2. Breakout performances for the ages

The cast is the soul of Gram Chikitsalay. Amol Parashar brings a sincerity to Dr. Prabhat that is spot on, for the frustration and the determination of your typical city-bred doctor not knowing his head from his waste in pretty much the first time out. His subtle facial expressions — especially when he is baffled by the quirks of the villagers — make him easily relatable. Vinay Pathak, as the charming quack Chetak Kumar, is delightful, mixing humor with a tinge of pathos.

But the real jewels are the supporting cast members. Anandeshwar Dwivedi as Phutani Ji, the eccentric compounder, and Akash Makhija as Govind, the cool ward boy, give performances that are as funny as they are endearing. Garima Vikrant Singh, playing the steel-willed nurse Indu, and her tormented son Sudhir (Santoo Kumar) provide emotional depth, particularly in the later episodes.

3. Sharp but Understated Social Critique

And at its heart, Gram Chikitsalay is a story about the shattered state of rural health care in India. The show points to some genuine problems — underfunded primary health centers, lack of faith in government facilities, and large number of unqualified practitioners — but without sermonising. (It’s funny and satirical in a way it only could be: Villagers don’t come to the PHC out of superstition, say, or Prabhat spends time with a rat-infested clinic and a BP machine that doesn’t work.)

I, being a reader myself of India’s Healthcare disparities loved how they highlighted these ground realities while keeping it light and interesting.

4. Atmosphere Cinematography and music that set the mood

The graffiti in Gram Chikitsalay is certainly a love letter to rural India. Lush fields, dimly lit clinics and dusty terrains are captured with visual aplomb, every frame looking like a snapshot of Bharat. It has some great cinematography, and is enhanced by the Nilotpal Bora music-scoring. Songs such as Kanchi Tori Kaya and Kanhaiya bring a cultural texture that elevates scenes of community and tears.

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Where Gram Chikitsalay Falls

Of course no show is perfect, and there are imperfections with Gram Chikitsalay. For one, its pacing is uneven. The early episodes are a bit leisurely in setting up the world (or laying out the mood, if you will), and that may try the patience of those who are accustomed to faster-paced narratives. I didn’t mind this, being a lover of slow-burn narratives, but I could see why some reviewers referred to it as “meandering.”

Another criticism is that it’s very similar to Panchayat.” Whereas the healthcare angle is what makes it distinctive, the “city outsider in a village” trope is recognisable, and some narrative beats are similar to TVF’s previous hit. I would argue that to compare the two is a disservice to Gram Chikitsalay — it is a different story with its own heart, but the shadow of Panchayat is impossible to escape.

The finale also left me unsatisfied. After a strong buildup, the ending feels anticlimactic and doesn’t provide the emotional payoff I was expecting. A more tightly coiled script and a wager-of-all-stakes ending might’ve pushed the series to unforgettable status.

Why You Should Watch Gram Chikitsalay

If you love stories that let laughter coexist with a big heart, Gram Chikitsalay is your show. It’s not simply a show about a doctor in a village — it’s about the small victories and the quiet defeats that define rural existence. As someone who appreciates stories that mirror real-world issues, I thought it was entertaining in its look at healthcare. The performances — especially the supporting cast — are a joy, the rural backdrop feels like its own character.

For those who loved Panchayat, it’s the same and yet an entirely different experience, I’d definitely recommend approaching it with an open mind. If you are unfamiliar with TVF’s storytelling method, this is a good place to start. Five episodes long, it’s a short binge that has you thinking about the condition of rural India — and even chuckling at an odd thyroid check-up scene.

How to reach Gram Chikitsalay

You Can Watch Without Comparisons: Forget Panchayat expectations to savor its distinct flavor.

Relish the Details: The more attention you pay to the details — like the idiosyncrasies of Phutani Ji or the odd traditions of the village — the better.

Stream on Amazon Prime Video: It’s been streaming since May 9, 2025 and tailor-made for a weekend binge.

Final Verdict: Sweet and Imperfect Gem

Gram Chikitsalay is a realistic, heart-warming and quietly impactful series that tackles rural healthcare with humor and heart. Faltering a bit in its pace and in Panchayat comparisons, but with a brilliant cast, a vibrant setting and significant themes, it’s worth a watch. As a person who’s always on the side of stories that reflect the soul of India, I would rate it a modest 3.5/5. It’s not revolutionary, but it is sincere — and sometimes that feels like a triumph.

Did you see Gram Chikitsalay? What did you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss this delightful rural drama!