May 29, 2026 7:00pm IST
Chandan Roy on ‘Panchayat’ Season 5: ‘It’ll Be Bigger, Better and Beautiful’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Over the years, Chandan Roy quietly became one of the most loved faces in India’s streaming space without arriving through the traditional star system. Through “Panchayat,” his Vikas evolved from a supporting character into one of the emotional pillars of Phulera, creating a connection that audiences carried across seasons.
But while viewers wait for the next chapter of “Panchayat,” Roy’s own journey has started expanding far beyond the village. With “RJ Bastar” and “The Last Ride” entering the Cannes market conversation and “Champaran Mutton” finding international recognition, the actor now finds himself balancing two worlds at once — mainstream content and globally traveling cinema.
If fans are waiting for clues about where “Panchayat” goes next, Roy offers a small but direct tease in a conversation with Variety India. He defines the next season of the Amazon Prime Video show in three words: “Bigger, better, and beautiful.”
Vikas and the Evolution of Phulera
Across previous seasons, Vikas gradually became more than comic relief. His bond with audiences continued to grow season after season. Roy believes that evolution was never planned. He says, “One of the best things about the show is the changing dynamics and the evolution of every character. Vikas has been an opportunity I never imagined I would receive at such an early stage of my career. While he was written amongst the primary cast, his impact and growth over the years have been the result of the abundant love of the audience. They connect with his earnest and sincere emotions. Going forward, we aim to maintain the same spirit,” Roy says.
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As conversations continue around whether “Panchayat” Season 5 enters a more politically and emotionally turbulent space, Roy avoids revealing direct plot details. Instead, he points to the larger philosophy of the series. “The beauty of art is that it can be a mirror to society and also can turn fragments of imagination into reality. The reason ‘Panchayat’ has touched people’s hearts is the realistic depiction of the heartland, which is not necessarily bound to any timeline, but reflects the universal nature and turn of events. Political struggles or emotional volatility are and have always been a part of any place’s reality, just like Phulera,” Chandan Roy says.
From Phulera to Cannes
Beyond streaming success, Roy now finds himself in a very different space as independent Indian cinema gains greater global visibility. The actor had “RJ Bastar” and “The Last Ride" in Cannes market conversations. “The Last Ride” was presented by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. He has also been associated with “Champaran Mutton,” which made its way into the Student Academy Awards (Oscars) Semifinals.
For Roy, these moments represent a larger shift rather than isolated breakthroughs. He says, “After the boom of OTT, actors like me who come from small towns and are average looking have found a beautiful opportunity to showcase their art through several projects. The audience’s perspective has also changed. While they were initially trained to watch a handful of stars, now they also back and like artists like me.”
He continues, “A huge reason behind this is that they are very organic and committed to their art with utmost loyalty. Also, the stories from small towns are very good. People can relate to them and us, too. I had two films in the market at the Cannes Film Festival. ‘The Last Ride’ was presented by Anurag Kashyap. These films are very close to my heart. Cinema is clearly changing and in a good way for actors like me.”
No Plan B
As his career expands into newer spaces, Roy says he is approaching the journey with gratitude rather than fear. “I was born to act, and this was always the dream. But the battle is long, and there is a lot to accomplish. I don't have a plan B. I will have to keep the hunger alive, else I don’t know what else I will do. I want good content, good stories and people who will work with me to achieve that dream.”
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