Panchayat Season 2 has left us with much to feel and think about. Possibly one of the many reasons, this show wins everyone’s heart is how unlike the vast majority of web series that keep guns, goons, and gaalis in focus, this show is a stark contrast. It is, in fact, the simplicity of the story and the characters that wins our heart.
The second season gave us new characters who blew us with their performances. But we cannot help but always go back to Pradhan Ji, Abhishek, Vikas, and Prahlad. However, we have to admit that Prahlad Pandey had the best character arc in the second season.
Season 2 brought out a very different side of Prahlad. We see a fatherly instinct in him. It is always mentioned how he hasn’t had an ounce of alcohol because his son is at home. Or even making chapatis for Rahul to take with him on the train. Just like life, things take a turn and we are brought face to face with the bad news.
The last episode of Panchayat Season 2 showed us a very different side of Prahlad. And we cannot help but feel the same amount of pain as him. The raw and real performance by Faisal Malik touched everyone’s heart.
Feeling sad with Prahlad Pandey 🥲
— Biryani Biceps ♥️ (@Biryanibiceps) May 21, 2022
My mon just finished watching Panchayat. She thinks Prahlad Pandey will contest election against the sitting MLA and win it.
— Shubhendu (@BBTheorist) May 22, 2022
No one prepared me for the final episode of #PanchayatSeason2 😭😭
— ANMOL JAMWAL (@jammypants4) May 23, 2022
Faisal Malik as Prahlad Pandey has my heart ❤️
@malikfeb sir.. You made us cry in the last. Hats off to your acting.. See you in next season. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/Rv6JoRcXBI
— Pankaj Kumar Verma (@pv3253) May 23, 2022
This scene just broke me and i had tears in my eyes. #PanchayatSeason2 #Panchayat #amazonprime #faisalmalik #jitu #chandan 🥺🥺@PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/48agkNdf5r
— ASHISH KUMAR JHA (@AshishJha310161) May 20, 2022
You have often seen him in films and TV series in light hearted comic roles but his range is unbelievable when it comes to intense somber acts. That’s an appreciation tweet for Faisal Malik. What an actor he is pic.twitter.com/z23vvI5lIy
— RJ Fahad (@rjfahad) May 19, 2022
Okay. I WAS NOT PREPARED for the last episode of #PanchayatSeason2. #FaisalMalik gives a performance that will never stop haunting you.
— Harihar (@harihar_goswami) May 20, 2022
Watch it.
Bless the Faisal Malik-Chandan Roy tag team. Always making the scene better, whether they’re at the centre or on the sidelines
— Uday Bhatia (@yooday) May 21, 2022
#PanchayatSeason2 has perhaps the most poignant 25 minutes in the history of Indian OTT, with one of the most heartrending songs ever. ‘Kahli Khali Sa Hai.’ @chandanroy77 Faisal Malik @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/ea1Lmmfvx1
— Gautam Choubey (@GautamChoubey9) May 20, 2022
Prior to Panchayat, Faisal was seen in Gangs Of Wasseypur as Inspector Gopal Singh. He has also worked on Revolver Rani and Main Aur Charles as a producer.
Hailing from Prayagraj, Malik had come to Mumbai in 2002 when he was 22 years old. His father sent him to Mumbai to get an MBA degree after he finished his B.Com from Lucknow. However, he wasn’t able to focus on his studies. Someone suggested he take up acting but he knew the path will be tough. He took up odd jobs to sustain himself.
In one of his interviews, Faisal recounts how people were scared of his appearance. He would go around production houses and tell them if they needed a “dark, fat man” they should call him.
Now we cannot help but wait to see what the actor has in store for us in the future.