Sep 23, 2026 9:00pm IST
Raghubir Yadav On ‘Panchayat’s’ Big-Screen Prospects: ‘Why Make A Movie And Ruin Future Seasons?’ (EXCLUSIVE)
With “Mirzapur” turning its gritty world into a big-screen spectacle, the possibility of turning fan-favorite shows into films has opened a new dimension for makers. “Panchayat” seems like a prime candidate. After four popular seasons of small-town charm, and an upcoming fifth coming later this year, taking the quirky residents of Phulera to movie theaters feels like the next big step. But Raghubir Yadav, who plays the iconic Pradhan-pati Brij Bhushan Dubey, isn’t entirely sold on the idea just yet.
When asked if he foresees “Panchayat” making the leap to the big screen, Yadav reflects on the sheer scope of the narrative and the vision of its creators. “I don’t know; it depends on the writer. If it is made, I won’t interfere. I am not even able to think whether it should be made or not. It is their thought. If it is made, I will do it.”
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While viewers might relish the idea of a concise three-hour film, Yadav points out that compressing the rich, multi-layered lives of Phulera’s residents could end up limiting the story rather than enhancing it. “It’s possible that the writer has many more seasons in his mind. Why would he make a movie and ruin the seasons?” he says. Reflecting on his own deep roots in rural India, he adds, “I have lived in the villages and I know that it is very difficult to summarize it in three-four hours. If you look at anyone’s life in the show - Banrakas, Manju Devi, Sachivji - then three hours is nothing.”
Beyond his celebrated web presence, Yadav remains deeply invested in cinema, as seen in his recent release “Om Ka Hari”. In the film, he portrays Hari Prasad Sharma, a stubborn retired astrologer from Bhopal who embarks on a sudden road trip to Varanasi with his estranged son, Om, after a medical scare convinces him he has only days to live.
Unpacking his process for building such a complex family dynamic, Yadav emphasizes that character building begins by looking outward before turning inward. “I look at the other characters around him. Because that character is shaped by them. A person’s behavior, his nature, his thoughts, his personality depends on the people around him,” he explains.
A distinctive highlight of “Om Ka Hari” is Yadav’s musical contribution, specifically his soulful rendition of the Kabir bhajan “Ram Rakhe.” For Yadav, performing Kabir’s poetry is a deeply personal, spiritual endeavor that resists rigid musical arrangements. “Kabir is very close to me. I have studied him since childhood,” he shares, recalling how he received a collection of bhajans from saints at Kabir Chaura during a previous shoot in Varanasi.
When discussing the track with the film’s director and his music composer son, Yadav advocated for an organic, unscripted approach to the recording. “He gave permission to do it separately. He said, ‘Kabir can never be composed. Kabir’s soul is in his lines... Kabir can be sung with his soul. If you compose and sing, it won’t be fun.’ So, that’s it. I had to let go of my soul. I enjoyed singing.”
This spiritual authenticity carries into the film’s emotional destination, Varanasi. Filming at Harishchandra Ghat gave Yadav a profound sense of peace regarding life and mortality. “When you go to the Ghats, it feels like there is no difference (between people). We shot at Harishchandra Ghat. I felt so peaceful there. There is no fear of death, no friction on people’s faces. I really liked being there and watching it.”
At its core, Yadav views “Om Ka Hari" as an essential mirror for modern families navigating generational gaps. “What is a father’s life? What is a son’s life? What does a son think of his father? And what does a father think of his son? Both want good lives. But they have grown up in different environments with different thoughts. It happens in every family. Parents should watch the film for their kids, and children should watch it for their parents. “
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