Amazon Prime’s Panchayat 2 Clinches First OTT Award for Web Series at IFFI 54
In a significant triumph, the heartwarming Hindi comedy-drama series, ‘Panchayat 2,’ streamed on Amazon Prime Video, emerged victorious as it secured the esteemed inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa.
Directed by Mr. Deepak Kumar Mishra and penned by Mr. Chandan Kumar, ‘Panchayat 2’ intricately weaves the tale of Mr. Abhishek Tripathi, a city graduate reluctantly serving as a secretary in an old panchayat office situated in the remote fictional village of Phulera, nestled in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district.
Following the phenomenal success of its debut season, the second installment propels Abhishek into a new chapter of life in Phuleera. Juggling CAT exam preparations amidst village politics and striving for a corporate future, this season authentically portrays the charming nuances, daily challenges, and humorous moments of village life. As Abhishek navigates through various village predicaments, he forges close bonds with characters like Pradhan, Vikas, Prahlad, and Manju Devi.
During the inauguration of the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Shri Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur highlighted the thriving OTT industry in India, acknowledging the significant employment it generates. With a 28% annual growth rate in the sector, the Minister emphasized the introduction of OTT Awards to recognize outstanding digital content creators across platforms.
Competing fiercely in the final nominations, ‘Panchayat 2’ faced notable contenders such as Mr. Bhai Pannu’s ‘Rocket Boys Season 1,’ Mr. Rahul Pandey and Mr. Satish Nair’s ‘Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapsi,’ and Mr. Vipul Amritlal Shah and Mr. Mozej Singh’s ‘Human.’ A Special Mention by the Jury Panel was unanimously recommended for the web series ‘Rocket Boys Season 1,’ streamed on Sony Live.
The competition featured 32 influential web series in 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms, underscoring the diversity and richness of digital content in India.
