Director: Mandeep Benipal
Rating: ***
Released in theaters today, July 10, 2026, Sarpanch lands as a hard-hitting, grounded action-drama that shifts the focus of Punjabi cinema back to its rural roots. Directed by Mandeep Benipal (Daaka, DSP Dev) and written by the legendary multi-hyphenate Rana Ranbir, the 145-minute film completely strips away the usual NRI-gloss and comedic subplots to deliver a gritty, raw anatomy of grassroots political corruption, systemic exploitation, and community resilience.
The Story & Script
Set in the deep heartlands of rural Punjab, the narrative follows two deeply bonded brothers, Fateh (Dev Kharoud) and Rajveer (Gurbaaz Singh), who are leading a content life as small-scale farmers. However, their village is a shell of its former self, having decayed for over two decades under the suffocating grip of a corrupt local ruling faction. For 20 years, the position of the Sarpanch (village head) has been treated like a personal, unchecked fiefdom fueled by fear, financial manipulation, and the deliberate proliferation of local alcoholism to keep the youth paralyzed.
The script, penned by Rana Ranbir with co-screenwriter Iqbal Soni, reaches its boiling point when a personal tragedy forces Fateh to break the collective silence. Refusing to let his community suffer any longer, he makes the radical, highly dangerous decision to openly challenge the powerful establishment by contesting the upcoming village panchayat elections. The narrative quickly morphs from a standard family drama into an intense, high-stakes political thriller, tracking the immense physical, economic, and emotional crossfire the brothers must endure just to secure a democratic ballot.
Direction & Screenplay
Mandeep Benipal operates beautifully within his comfort zone here, utilizing a realistic, highly urgent storytelling style. The screenplay moves at a steady, clinical pace, carefully illustrating how local, small-town politics directly impact the micro-mechanics of everyday households. Benipal successfully avoids the trap of making Fateh an invincible, larger-than-life superhero; instead, the action sequences feel heavy, desperate, and incredibly visceral.
The film proudly wears its UA 16+ certification, serving up intense hand-to-hand combat and raw dramatic showdowns. While a few structural beats in the second half fall back on familiar rural-drama formulas, the sheer gravity of the election process keeps the audience locked in.
Performances
Dev Kharoud: Continuing his reign as the definitive angry young man of Pollywood, Dev Kharoud delivers a towering, deeply internal performance. He plays Fateh with an exceptional sense of restraint, conveying a profound sense of exhaustion and unyielding moral steel. When he finally unclasps his fists in the third act, the theatrical payoff is massive.
Jasmin Bajwa: As the female lead, Jasmin brings immense dignity and freshness to the narrative. She successfully breaks away from being a mere romantic interest, serving as a critical emotional anchor for Fateh when the socio-political pressure threatens to tear his family apart.
Sarbjit Cheema & Dakssh Ajit Singh: Playing pivotal roles within the village machinery, both actors deliver exceptionally sharp, weathered, and intense performances that give the antagonistic forces a genuinely threatening, authentic presence.
The Supporting Ensemble: Gurbaaz Singh is a massive standout as the loyal younger brother, while veterans like Saanvi Dhiman, Deedar Gill, and Parmod Pabbi populate the rural landscape with deep, non-theatrical realism.
Technical Craft & Music
Cinematography: Shot with a brilliant eye by Shiv Shakti, the visuals shun saturated studio color grading. The camera captures a dusty, sun-bleached, and raw Punjab—focusing on crumbling local brick walls, chaotic village squares, and expanse agricultural fields that mirror the moral conflict of the plot.
Music & Score: The soundtrack, managed by Yellow Music with compositions by Gurmeet Singh and Avvy Sra, acts as a narrative driver rather than a commercial distraction. The tracks flow seamlessly within the emotional beats, while the background score adds a minimalist, ticking-clock tension to the election rallies.
Final Verdict
Sarpanch is a triumphant, highly essential milestone for regional cinema that proves Punjabi filmmakers don't need a foreign passport or slapstick gags to deliver a commercial blockbuster. Driven by a powerhouse performance from Dev Kharoud, a remarkably grounded script by Rana Ranbir, and authentic world-building, it stands as a gripping, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring look at what happens when ordinary people choose to reclaim their voice.
