Sarpanch 2026: Dev Kharoud's Village Drama Explained

There's a line in the Sarpanch teaser that stops you cold: "A self-respecting man has only two things — peace and war."Seven words. And they say everything about what kind of film this is going to be.

Sarpanch, the upcoming Punjabi drama starring Dev Kharoud and Jasmin Bajwa, is releasing worldwide on July 10, 2026 — and if the trailer is anything to go by, it's the kind of film that Pollywood has been building towards for years. Not a love story. Not a comedy. A film rooted in the dirt of village life, in the corruption that festers when the wrong people hold power for too long, and in what happens when one ordinary man decides he's had enough.

Dev Kharoud has spent over a decade being Pollywood's go-to actor for exactly this kind of story. From Rupinder Gandhi to Dakuan Da Munda, he has consistently chosen roles that carry weight — and Sarpanch looks like the next milestone in that tradition. Here's everything you need to know before the film hits theatres.

What Is Sarpanch the Movie About? 

Sarpanch tells the story of two brothers, Fateh and Rajveer, who live peacefully in their village — until the weight of two decades of corrupt leadership becomes impossible to ignore. The village's elected Sarpanch and his group have held power for twenty years, doing little for the community while keeping their grip tight on local politics. Development has stalled. Justice is a formality. The village suffers quietly.

That changes when Fateh — played by Dev Kharoud — decides to stand up. He enters the election for the post of Sarpanch, and from that moment forward, the film follows every obstacle, threat, and moral test that comes his way. It is a story about leadership under pressure, and about what a person is willing to sacrifice to do the right thing.

The tagline frames it well. Fateh is not a revolutionary or a vigilante — he is a man of principle who simply reaches a point where inaction becomes its own kind of betrayal. The story taps into something deeply familiar for anyone who grew up in or around a Punjabi village, where local politics can shape everyday life in ways that never make the headlines.

One version of the film's synopsis also mentions the issue of alcoholism as a thread within the village's problems — a social reality that Punjabi cinema has increasingly chosen to address directly, rather than gloss over. If Sarpanch follows through on this, it will be one of the more socially layered films to come out of Pollywood this year.

The Cast: Who's Who in Sarpanch 

Dev Kharoud leads the film as Fateh, the principled brother who steps into the electoral arena. Alongside him, Jasmin Bajwa — who has built a strong reputation in Punjabi cinema through her natural, grounded performances — appears in what promises to be a meaningful supporting role.

The ensemble is deep and experienced. Gurbaaz Singh, Sarbjit Cheema, Deedar Gill, Dakssh Ajit Singh, Saanvi Dhiman, and Parmod Pabbi round out the cast. This is not a film that relies on a single star to carry all the weight — the supporting performances will matter a great deal in building the believability of village life on screen.

Sarbjit Cheema, in particular, is a familiar face in Punjabi drama, and Deedar Gill brings years of character-actor credibility. When a film about village politics fills its secondary roles with performers like these, it suggests the makers were thinking about texture, not just spectacle.

Dev Kharoud: Why He Was Born to Play This Role 

If you are new to Punjabi cinema and wondering why people are excited specifically about Dev Kharoud headlining this film, a little context helps.

Born Davinder Singh Kharoud in Patiala, Punjab, Dev began his career the old-fashioned way — in theatre, working under acclaimed directors and developing the discipline that stage acting demands. He moved into television before eventually landing his first significant film role. His breakthrough came in 2013 with Sadda Haq, a politically charged film that gave him early visibility for serious content.

Then came Rupinder Gandhi — The Gangster in 2015. That film made him a name. He played a real-life figure with such raw authenticity that Pollywood suddenly had a new archetype: the intense, morally complex lead who could anchor a film without relying on song sequences or romantic subplots. Dakuan Da Munda in 2018 deepened that reputation further, earning him a nomination for Best Actor at the PTC Punjabi Film Awards.

What distinguishes him is a specific quality — he makes you believe the character is real. His physicality (he stands 6 feet 1 inch and is notably committed to fitness) and his theatre-trained emotional range combine to create performances that feel lived-in rather than performed. For a film like Sarpanch — one that needs a lead who can portray quiet strength, not just loud bravado — he is the ideal casting choice.

Notably, Sarpanch is also his second collaboration with director Mandeep Benipal. The two previously worked together on DSP Dev 2, which means there is an established creative shorthand between them that often translates into better performances and more confident direction.

The Team Behind the Film 

Sarpanch is directed by Mandeep Benipal, who has developed a reputation for grounded, story-driven Punjabi dramas. The screenplay is written by Rana Ranbir — a well-regarded name in Punjabi entertainment who has contributed to a number of critically appreciated projects over the years.

The film is produced under the banners of Ohri Productions and Fatehjeet Films Production, with Vivek Ohri, Sital Singh, Inderjit Singh, and Harsimran Singh as producers, and Sanchit Ohri serving as co-producer. This is a production set-up that signals genuine investment — multiple stakeholders with established track records, rather than a quick-turnaround project.

The combination of a writer like Rana Ranbir and a director like Mandeep Benipal, working with a lead as committed as Dev Kharoud, gives Sarpanch a creative foundation that sets it apart from the more commercially driven releases in Pollywood's calendar this year.

Is Sarpanch Worth Watching?

For anyone who enjoys Punjabi cinema, Sarpanch looks like one of the more compelling theatrical experiences of 2026. Whether it fully delivers will depend on how Benipal handles the second half — films about village elections can easily lose momentum once the initial conflict is established.

The ingredients are strong. The story has clear stakes and a protagonist whose motivation makes instinctive sense. The cast brings depth. The director knows how to work with this lead. And the subject matter — local corruption, electoral politics, the cost of standing up — is the kind of theme that resonates far beyond Punjab's borders.

Pollywood has been producing more socially conscious cinema in recent years, and Sarpanch appears positioned to continue that trend. If you have been following Dev Kharoud's career, this feels like the film where his full range as a lead actor gets the most demanding test yet.

If you are watching it with subtitles as a newcomer to Punjabi cinema, the universal themes of power and justice will carry you through without missing a beat.

Village Politics on Screen — Why This Story Matters

The word Sarpanch refers to the elected head of a village council — a Gram Panchayat — in India. It is one of the most immediate expressions of democracy at a grassroots level. A Sarpanch manages local disputes, oversees village development funds, and acts as the first point of contact between citizens and the government machinery.

In reality, the position has long been a site of both genuine public service and deep-rooted corruption. Studies and investigative journalism across India have documented how Panchayat elections can become contests of intimidation, caste allegiance, and money power rather than community will. For millions of people in rural Punjab, who the Sarpanch is genuinely affects daily life — road quality, water access, school conditions.

Punjabi cinema has not shied away from this territory in recent years. Films exploring rural power structures have found both critical appreciation and strong audience responses, particularly among diaspora viewers who carry vivid memories of village life. Sarpanch enters this space with a story that is specific enough to feel authentic and broad enough to resonate widely.

What makes the premise particularly interesting is the idea of an ordinary person — not a politician, not a police officer, not a gangster — deciding to challenge an established corrupt order through a democratic process. That is a different kind of hero for Punjabi cinema, and potentially a more interesting one.

Key Takeaways 

• Sarpanch is a Punjabi drama film releasing worldwide in theatres on July 10, 2026, produced by Ohri Productions and Fatehjeet Films Production.
• The film stars Dev Kharoud as Fateh, a principled village man who stands for election as Sarpanch to challenge two decades of corrupt local leadership.
• Jasmin Bajwa, Gurbaaz Singh, Sarbjit Cheema, and Deedar Gill headline a strong supporting ensemble cast.
• The film is directed by Mandeep Benipal and written by Rana Ranbir — a creative team with a proven record in grounded Punjabi drama.
• Dev Kharoud's career trajectory, from Rupinder Gandhi to Dakuan Da Munda, makes him one of Pollywood's most trusted leads for serious, socially rooted stories.
• Sarpanch explores themes of village politics, corruption, justice, and the personal cost of standing up for one's community — placing it within Pollywood's growing tradition of socially conscious cinema.

References and Further Reading

External Sources:

• HOYTS Cinemas (Australia) — Official Sarpanch listing with confirmed cast, runtime (140 min), and synopsis — https://www.hoyts.com.au/movies/sarpanch-punjabi-eng-sub
• The Pollywood — Early production announcement with director, writer, and producer details — https://www.thepollywood.com/sarpanch-dev-kharoud-is-back-with-an-unmissable-village-drama-of-power-and-revenge/
• Wikipedia — Dev Kharoud biography and filmography for actor career context — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dev_Kharoud

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Sarpanch releasing in cinemas? S

arpanch is releasing worldwide in theatres on July 10, 2026. The film has been confirmed for a global theatrical release by producers Ohri Productions and Fatehjeet Films Production, with screenings available in India, Australia, and international markets. Check your local cinema listings for exact showtimes in your city.

Who plays the lead role in Sarpanch?

Dev Kharoud plays the lead role of Fateh — a village man who stands in a Sarpanch election to challenge a corrupt group that has held power for twenty years. Known for his work in Rupinder Gandhi and Dakuan Da Munda, Kharoud has built his reputation on exactly this kind of intense, morally grounded character.

What language is Sarpanch in, and does it have subtitles?

Sarpanch is a Punjabi-language film. International screenings — including those confirmed at HOYTS cinemas in Australia — are listed with English subtitles. If you are watching in a region with a significant Punjabi diaspora, most major theatre chains will carry the subtitled version.

Who directed Sarpanch and who wrote the story?

Sarpanch is directed by Mandeep Benipal, who previously worked with Dev Kharoud on DSP Dev 2. The screenplay is written by Rana Ranbir, a respected name in Punjabi entertainment. The production is backed by Vivek Ohri, Sital Singh, Inderjit Singh, and Harsimran Singh under the Ohri Productions and Fatehjeet Films banners.

What is the runtime of Sarpanch?

The confirmed runtime of Sarpanch is approximately 140 minutes, making it a full-length feature drama. Given the subject matter — village politics, election drama, and family conflict — a longer runtime gives the story room to develop its characters without feeling rushed.

How is Sarpanch different from other recent Punjabi movies?

Where many recent Pollywood releases have leaned into romance, comedy, or diaspora storylines, Sarpanch returns to a grittier genre — the village political drama with real social stakes. Its focus on grassroots democracy, local corruption, and a protagonist who fights the system from within rather than through violence gives it a distinctive identity in 2026's release calendar.

Where can I watch Sarpanch after its theatrical run?

An official OTT release date for Sarpanch has not been announced as of June 2026. Based on standard Punjabi film release patterns, a digital streaming release is typically expected eight to twelve weeks after the theatrical premiere. Keep an eye on the producers' official social channels for updates.

Sarpanch arrives at a moment when Punjabi audiences — both at home and across the world — are increasingly hungry for stories that reflect real life rather than escapism. Whether Dev Kharoud's Fateh wins his election, loses it, or finds himself somewhere more complicated in between, the story of one man standing up in a system designed to keep him sitting down is one worth showing up for. Mark July 10 in your calendar, find your nearest cinema, and if you have friends who love Punjabi films — this is the one to watch together.