Entertainment & Media

India’s Most-Watched Stream This Week: “Panchayat Season 4” Outshines “Squid Game 3” on Streaming Charts

Explore how India’s most-watched stream this week took an unexpected turn as Panchayat Season 4 surpassed Squid Game 3. This concise analysis reveals what drove the shift and why audiences are tuning in.

Deepak Singh

03 Jul 2025 — 9 min read

Visualizing the streaming chart showdown between Panchayat S4’s rural charm and Squid Game 3’s intense drama.

Panchayat Season 4 has taken the top spot on India’s streaming charts, pulling in 8.8 million views and surpassing Netflix’s Squid Game 3, which secured second place with 4.8 million views. This rural comedy-drama’s relatable storytelling has captivated audiences, proving local narratives can dominate global sensations.

Introduction: A Rural Comedy Steals the Spotlight

What happens when a small-town Indian comedy goes head-to-head with a global Korean thriller? In the last week of June 2025, India’s streaming audience answered that question loud and clear. Panchayat Season 4, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, emerged as India’s most-watched stream this week, pushing “Squid Game 3” to second place on the streaming charts. With a record-breaking 8.8 million views, this rural dramedy about village politics outshone Squid Game 3’s 4.8 million views on Netflix, proving that heartfelt, relatable stories can hold their own against high-stakes global hits.

Why does this matter? In a world where streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video compete fiercely for eyeballs, Panchayat S4’s triumph shows the power of authentic, homegrown narratives. Whether you’re a fan of Phulera’s quirky villagers or Gi-hun’s intense survival games, this week’s streaming charts reveal what Indian audiences are craving right now. Let’s dive into why Panchayat Season 4 is ruling the charts and how it stacks up against Squid Game 3.

Why “Panchayat Season 4” Topped India’s Streaming Charts

Panchayat Season 4 has cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon in India. Premiering on June 24, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, the show garnered 8.8 million views in its debut weekend, making it the most-watched OTT original of 2025 so far. But what’s driving this massive success?

Relatable Storytelling: The series, set in the fictional village of Phulera, captures the essence of rural India with humor and heart. The rivalry between Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi in the high-stakes panchayat election resonates with audiences familiar with small-town dynamics.
Stellar Cast: Jitendra Kumar as Abhishek Tripathi, alongside Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and others, delivers performances that feel authentic and emotionally engaging.
Cultural Connection: Unlike global hits, Panchayat S4 taps into India’s love for slice-of-life narratives, blending comedy with subtle social commentary.

This season’s focus on village politics and personal growth has struck a chord, making Panchayat Season 4 a standout on streaming charts across India.

How “Squid Game 3” Fared on Netflix’s Streaming Charts

While Panchayat S4 claimed the top spot, Squid Game Season 3 wasn’t far behind, securing second place with 4.8 million views in India. Released on Netflix on June 27, 2025, the final chapter of the Korean survival thriller drew global attention, amassing 60.1 million views worldwide in just three days. Yet, in India, it couldn’t outshine the local favorite.

Here’s why Squid Game 3 still made waves:

Global Hype: As the conclusion of Netflix’s biggest non-English series, it carried massive anticipation.
Intense Narrative: The season follows Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) mission to dismantle the deadly games, introducing new challenges like jump rope duels and sky-high Squid Game variations.
Mixed Reception: While some fans loved the emotional depth, others criticized the hinted “American Squid Game” spinoff, which may have tempered its Indian viewership.

Despite its global dominance, Squid Game 3’s 4.8 million views in India show that local stories like Panchayat S4 hold a unique edge on streaming charts.

What Makes “India’s Most-Watched Stream This Week” So Competitive?

The battle for India’s most-watched stream this week reflects a broader trend: Indian audiences are spoiled for choice. From Hindi comedies to Korean thrillers, streaming platforms offer diverse genres. According to Times Now, the last weekend of June 2025 saw a surge in viewership across languages, with Panchayat Season 4 and Squid Game 3 leading the pack.

Variety of Genres: Viewers enjoyed political satire (Panchayat), survival thrillers (Squid Game), and courtroom dramas (Criminal Justice).
Platform Wars: Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are neck-and-neck, with Prime’s local content edging out Netflix’s global hits in India.
Cultural Resonance: Panchayat S4’s small-town charm appeals to India’s heartland, while Squid Game 3 attracts urban, cosmopolitan viewers.

This diversity fuels the streaming charts, making every week a showdown between local and international heavyweights.

The Story Behind “Panchayat Season 4”’s Success

Panchayat Season 4 builds on the legacy of its earlier seasons, which have consistently ranked high on streaming charts. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Akshat Vijaywargiya, and produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), the show follows Abhishek Tripathi, a city-bred engineer navigating life as a panchayat secretary in Phulera. This season, the stakes are higher with a heated election between Manju Devi and Kranti Devi.

Key highlights include:

Political Drama: The election storyline mirrors real-world rural governance, blending humor with tension.
Character Depth: Abhishek’s evolving bond with Rinki and the villagers’ quirky antics add emotional layers.
Record-Breaking Debut: With 8.8 million views, it’s the strongest OTT original opening in India for 2025.

Despite a 26% viewership drop from Season 3’s 12 million debut views, Panchayat S4 remains a juggernaut, proving its staying power on streaming charts.

Why Did “Squid Game 3” Fall Short in India?

Squid Game Season 3 was expected to dominate globally, and it did, with 60.1 million views worldwide in its first three days. However, in India, it trailed Panchayat S4 by 4 million views. What happened?

Cultural Disconnect: The Korean thriller’s dystopian themes may feel less relatable to Indian audiences compared to Panchayat’s grounded narrative.
Mixed Reviews: Criticism over certain plot points, like the “American Squid Game” tease, may have dampened enthusiasm.
Shorter Runtime: At just six episodes, Squid Game 3 had less content to binge, potentially affecting viewership metrics.

Still, Squid Game 3’s performance on Netflix underscores its global appeal, even if it couldn’t claim India’s most-watched stream this week.

Comparing “Panchayat S4” and “Squid Game 3”: What Sets Them Apart?

Both Panchayat Season 4 and Squid Game Season 3 are masterpieces in their genres, but they cater to different tastes. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Aspect	Panchayat Season 4	Squid Game Season 3
Platform	Amazon Prime Video	Netflix
Genre	Rural Comedy-Drama	Survival Thriller
Viewership in India	8.8 million	4.8 million
Key Themes	Village politics, community, humor	Survival, betrayal, psychological tension
Cast	Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav	Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon
Release Date	June 24, 2025	June 27, 2025

Panchayat S4 thrives on its relatable characters and light-hearted storytelling, while Squid Game 3 leans into high-stakes drama. Both shine on streaming charts, but Panchayat’s local flavor gives it an edge in India.

How Streaming Platforms Shape India’s Viewing Habits

The rise of Panchayat Season 4 and Squid Game 3 on streaming charts highlights the growing influence of OTT platforms in India. With 1.9 crore Netflix users watching Squid Game 2 in 2024, and Prime Video’s Panchayat consistently topping Hindi-language charts, platforms are shaping what Indians watch.

Amazon Prime Video: Excels with local content like Panchayat and Mirzapur, appealing to Hindi-speaking audiences.
Netflix: Dominates with international hits like Squid Game, but faces stiff competition from local stories.
Viewership Trends: Data from Ormax Media shows Indian audiences favor a mix of regional and global content, with Panchayat S4 leading the pack.

This dynamic ensures India’s most-watched stream this week is a battleground for cultural relevance and storytelling prowess.

What Other Shows Made the Top 5 Streaming Charts?

While Panchayat Season 4 and Squid Game 3 dominated, other shows also shone on India’s streaming charts for June 23–29, 2025:

Criminal Justice: A Family Matter (JioHotstar): 4.5 million views, driven by Pankaj Tripathi’s gripping courtroom drama.
The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 (Netflix): 3.8 million views, offering comedic relief with celebrity guests.
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 (JioHotstar): 3.4 million views, captivating audiences with its investigative thriller narrative.

These shows highlight the diversity of India’s streaming preferences, from legal dramas to comedy and crime thrillers.

Why Do Indian Audiences Love “Panchayat Season 4”?

The secret to Panchayat S4’s dominance on streaming charts lies in its universal appeal. Here’s what fans are saying:

Authenticity: The show’s depiction of rural life feels real, from dusty village roads to heated election rallies.
Humor and Heart: Moments like Abhishek’s awkward romance with Rinki or Bhushan’s comedic schemes keep viewers hooked.
Social Commentary: It subtly addresses issues like rural governance and gender dynamics without preaching.

Posts on X echo this sentiment, with users calling Panchayat S4 “heartwarming” and “a love letter to rural India.” Its ability to balance humor and emotion makes it India’s most-watched stream this week.

Can “Squid Game 3” Make a Comeback on Streaming Charts?

Despite trailing Panchayat S4, Squid Game 3 has potential to climb the streaming charts in coming weeks. Its global viewership of 60.1 million in three days suggests strong staying power.

Word-of-Mouth Buzz: Fans on X are raving about the emotional finale, which could drive more Indian viewers to Netflix.
Shorter Binge Time: With only six episodes, it’s an easier binge than Panchayat’s longer seasons.
Global Appeal: As Netflix’s biggest non-English series, it may attract more urban Indian viewers over time.

For now, Squid Game 3 remains a strong contender, but Panchayat Season 4’s local charm holds the crown.

How to Watch “Panchayat Season 4” and “Squid Game 3”

Ready to jump into India’s most-watched stream this week? Here’s how to watch:

Panchayat Season 4: Stream all episodes on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription. New users can try a 30-day free trial.
Squid Game Season 3: Available on Netflix, requiring a subscription. Check for regional availability on JustWatch.

Both platforms offer high-quality streaming, so grab your snacks and dive into these binge-worthy shows!

“India’s Most-Watched Stream This Week: Panchayat Season 4 vs. Squid Game 3” – Frequently Asked Questions

What is India’s most-watched stream this week in 2025?

Panchayat Season 4 topped India’s most-watched stream this week, with 8.8 million views on Amazon Prime Video, surpassing Squid Game 3’s 4.8 million views on Netflix.

Why did “Panchayat Season 4” beat “Squid Game 3” on streaming charts?

Panchayat S4’s relatable rural comedy and strong cultural connection outshone Squid Game 3’s global thriller appeal, earning 8.8 million views compared to 4.8 million. Its authentic storytelling resonates deeply with Indian audiences.

Where can I watch “Panchayat Season 4”?

Panchayat Season 4 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, released on June 24, 2025. A subscription is required, but new users can access a free trial.

Is “Squid Game Season 3” worth watching on Netflix?

Yes, Squid Game Season 3 offers intense drama and emotional depth, though it received mixed reviews for certain plot points. It’s a must-watch for thriller fans, available on Netflix since June 27, 2025.

Other top shows include Criminal Justice: A Family Matter (4.5M views), The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 (3.8M views), and Kerala Crime Files Season 2 (3.4M views).

How does “Panchayat Season 4” compare to previous seasons?

Panchayat S4 saw 8.8 million views, a 26% drop from Season 3’s 12 million, but it remains the top OTT original of 2025 with its engaging election storyline.

Conclusion: The Power of Storytelling on Streaming Charts

Panchayat Season 4’s reign as India’s most-watched stream this week proves that authentic, relatable stories can outshine even the biggest global hits like Squid Game 3. With 8.8 million views, Panchayat S4 has captured hearts on streaming charts, while Squid Game 3’s 4.8 million views show its global appeal. Whether you’re rooting for Phulera’s quirky villagers or Gi-hun’s daring mission, both shows offer something special. Which one’s on your watchlist? Share your thoughts below or check out our guides on top OTT releases or how to stream!