Gram Chikitsalay Review: Precise Portrayal of Rural Mindset & Urban-Rural Clash

By Shantiswaroop Tripathi

• Rating: 2.5 Stars
• Producers: Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar for TVF
• Writers: Vaibhav and Shreya
• Director: Rahul Pandey
• Cast: Amol Parashar, Vinay Pathak, Virendra Pathak, Anita Upadhyay, Neel Suryavanshi, Akhileshwar Prasad, Paritosh Tiwari, Kumar Saurabh, Vikram Pratap, Akash Makhija, Shakti Kumar, Vibhas Upadhyay, Brajesh Sharma, Bipin Nadkarni, and others
• Duration: Five episodes of 38–40 minutes each, approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
• Streaming Platform: Prime Video, from May 9

India is a land of villages, where people suffer from numerous issues, including health concerns. Despite their ailments, the simple villagers often rely on faith-based remedies. The government has set up “Gram Chikitsalay” (Rural Health Clinics) to ensure healthcare in every village. However, doctors at these centers often neglect their duties. Meanwhile, unqualified quacks have gained the villagers' trust so deeply that an honest doctor trying to serve them faces great resistance in earning their faith.

This is the central conflict of the web series Gram Chikitsalay, brought by TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, who previously created the widely acclaimed series Panchayat. The series, now streaming on Prime Video from May 9, also sheds light on the urgent need for reform in neglected rural healthcare.

Story

Dr. Prabhat Sinha (played by Amol Parashar), a gold medalist from one of India’s top medical colleges, chooses to work as a Medical Officer in the fictional village of Bhatkandi, Jharkhand, rather than join his father’s established hospital in the city. Dr. Sinha is an idealist determined to bring change and serve the underprivileged, but he is met with unexpected and overwhelming challenges.

The series opens with the death of 92-year-old Sipahi Chaudhary, who dies at the hands of a quack, Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak), yet no one questions the unqualified healer. Chetak’s obsession with giving “booster” doses for every illness results in tragic outcomes, but the villagers still trust him. He even uses Google to prescribe medicine when confused.

Upon Dr. Sinha’s arrival in Bhatkandi, he is introduced to a dilapidated Primary Health Centre (PHC) and a community indifferent to real medical care. Compounder Futani (Dwivedi) and helper Gobind (Makhija) believe Dr. Sinha will flee like his predecessors, but he is resolute in staying and serving. However, obstacles start with mere access to the clinic—the path is blocked by a local strongman’s paddy field. When Dr. Sinha seeks police help to clear it, he regrets it after witnessing police brutality. He also discovers the compounder has sold off all the hospital medicines.

Bhatkandi follows no rules, making it even tougher for the city-bred Dr. Sinha to adjust. Winning the villagers’ trust and creating a steady flow of patients is his biggest challenge, especially while Chetak Kumar’s clinic remains overcrowded. Chetak tells him, “Patients must be earned. Trust must be won.” Dr. Sinha finds himself not just battling for trust but also against a tangled system. He soon realizes he must change himself before attempting to change the system.

To win over the locals, he compromises on his idealism and follows the advice of hospital aides, even getting involved in campaigns for two rival politicians—landing him in new trouble. Meanwhile, a parallel subplot involving nurse Indu (Garima Singh) and her troubled son Sudhir (Santu Kumar) adds to his woes.

Review

Through Gram Chikitsalay, Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar raise important questions while attempting to answer a few. However, the series falls short of addressing why there is no crackdown on unqualified quacks or why such practitioners thrive. The dialogues are sharp and witty. It talks about challenges we all know yet often ignore. Gram Chikitsalay naturally reminds viewers of Panchayat, Gullak, and Dupahiya due to its full-fledged rural backdrop.

The writers and director portray the struggle for emotional balance, idealism, and survival in chaotic rural life with sensitivity. However, after a promising first episode, the narrative loses focus. The character of Dr. Prabhat beautifully symbolizes how an honest person is often a victim of circumstances.

The subplot involving nurse Indu and her son Sudhir is the strongest thread, though it veers into melodrama. A standout message comes through the neighboring village doctor’s words: “If the village doesn’t accept you, then you must accept the village.”

Acting

Amol Parashar delivers an outstanding performance as Dr. Prabhat Sinha, a young doctor committed to serving Bhatkandi’s people. Despite consistently proving his acting skills, it’s puzzling why mainstream filmmakers haven’t tapped into his potential. He portrays the character’s struggles and growth with honesty.

Vinay Pathak is effortless as the shady yet beloved quack Chetak Kumar. Anandeswar Dwivedi (Compounder Futani) and Akash Makhija (ward boy Gobind) bring humor to the screen. Garima Singh leaves a mark as nurse Indu, while Santu Kumar adds emotional depth as her son Sudhir. Akanksha Ranjan is memorable in her brief role as Dr. Gargi.

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