Sivarapalli Review: The Rag Mayur series is earthy, entertaining and honest

3.5/5

Sivarapalli Story

Shyam Kumar's only dream is to settle in the US, but he needs to work hard to achieve it. In the meantime, he is posted as a Panchayat secretary in the small village of Sivarapalli in Telangana. From the moment he arrives, chaos ensues. Everything, from the office where he is supposed to work to the Sarpanch (Muralidhar Goud) he must deal with, is disorganized and steeped in a laid-back rural mindset. The rest of the story revolves around how Shyam navigates through the small-town issues and eventually finds a place in the hearts of the villagers.

Sivarapalli Review

For starters, Sivarapalli is the official remake of the Amazon Prime iconic series Panchayat. Based on the story by Chandan Kumar, Sivarapalli is adapted by Shanmukha Prashanth and directed by Bhaskhar Maurya. The best part of the series is how it is set in the small town of Sivarapalli, Telangana, with its cheeky backdrop, humor, and emotions. The dry humor and light-hearted narrative are the highlights of the series.

Storywise, there isn’t much novelty, and the supporting cast is limited, but the way director Bhaskhar casts his actors is impressive. Each character is meticulously chosen, and they elevate the narrative significantly. The humor feels organic and is seamlessly interwoven into the storyline. The daily lives of the people in Telangana, their laid-back attitude, and the quirks of each character keep you engaged until the end.

The series comprises eight episodes, each focusing on an issue faced by the protagonist as he tries to adapt to life in the small village. Rag Mayur plays the main lead, and his interactions with Muralidhar Goud and Sunny Palle are hilarious. One of the most entertaining episodes revolves around a wedding where Rag Mayur scolds the groom with a memorable "A** H**" line, leaving viewers in splits. The problems portrayed in the series feel natural and not contrived, with simple emotions that don’t overwhelm the viewer.

However, the pacing becomes a significant drawback. Although each episode is under 35 minutes, the slow pace makes them feel longer than necessary. A tighter screenplay could have elevated the overall experience. Additionally, the final episode feels somewhat forced and ends on a simple note.

The introduction of the heroine in the closing scene is intriguing, but more clarity on Rag Mayur's character arc would have added depth. While his dissatisfaction with life in the village is evident, his frustration could have been explored further.

Coming to the performances, Rag Mayur delivers one of the best roles of his career. He portrays Shyam’s frustration, struggles, and helplessness superbly. His laid-back approach to the character is refreshing, providing a natural and understated performance. The in-form Muralidhar Goud is another major highlight. His antics add a lot of humor to the proceedings, and his presence lights up the screen. Uday Gurrala, playing his aide, also excels in his role.

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However, it is the "silent killer," Sunny Palle, who steals the show. As Rag Mayur's assistant, his look, dialogue delivery, and mastery of Telangana slang with an attitude make his performance stand out. He is undoubtedly an actor to watch out for. Roopa Lakshmi also plays a key role and performs well in her limited screen time. Overall, the performances, especially Rag Mayur’s, anchor the show effectively.

The camera work is commendable and captures the village setting beautifully. The background score is excellent, and the montage songs are well-placed. However, the editing could have been sharper, as each episode's runtime would have been better under 30 minutes.

Director Bhaskhar ensures there are no outright dull moments, but Sivarapalli takes time to grow on the audience. By the third episode, once you connect with the characters, the series picks up and becomes an enjoyable watch.

In conclusion, Sivarapalli is a faithful remake of Panchayat. While the slow pace might bother some, those who haven’t seen the original series will find plenty to enjoy in this heartfelt village drama.

Sivarapalli Verdict

On the whole, Sivarapalli is a light-hearted village drama with situational comedy and earthy characters, narrated engagingly. If you can overlook the slow pace, the series makes for an enjoyable watch on Amazon Prime. Go for it.

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