EXCLUSIVE: Jitendra Kumar on Panchayat his love life and more

Jitendra Kumar rose to significant fame with his role in the hit web series Panchayat. Known for its rustic charm and relatable storytelling, the show has resonated deeply with audiences, establishing Kumar as a beloved figure in Indian households. Prior to Panchayat, he made his film debut in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), just before the lockdown led families to discover and connect with his work. His journey from engineering at IIT Kharagpur to acting is marked by perseverance and passion. His initial struggles in Mumbai, where he joined TVF, eventually led to his success in the digital era. Despite his rising popularity, Kumar remains grounded, valuing the appreciation from his audience over the trappings of celebrity. His work  reflects his commitment to authenticity and his connection to India’s heartland. Excerpts from an interview with the talented actor:

You've gained significant fame with Panchayat. How has the audience response been for you?

Panchayat has a unique connection with people. In every season, I would be unsure of the audience’s response, but it has always been very good. Before Panchayat, my first film, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), was released and then the lockdown happened. Families sitting at home watched Panchayat and connected with me, making it a family show for them. I believe people appreciate the rustic appeal. The audience’s reactions vary over time. Nowadays, projects like Gullak and Laapataa Ladies are being appreciated, all of which are straightforward rustic stories. If someone asks me to do another village story, I will happily do it, as long as the script is good.

How was the experience on the set of Panchayat?

I bonded well with Neena Gupta ji. I had worked with her earlier in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and have been an ardent fan of hers. When she appreciates my work, I feel validated. In the evenings, we would all get together for chats. We had informal gatherings on set where Raghubir Yadav ji would narrate fascinating stories in a very entertaining manner.

What was the most challenging part of your journey to becoming an actor?

The most difficult part is bagging the first project. For people like me from small towns, thinking of being part of the Mumbai crowd and getting work is an uphill task. The stress of survival was immense. Coming to Mumbai, facing the camera, performing, and having my hoardings put up was a dream. As an outsider, you have no clue how to enter the industry or whom to approach. It is not easy, but I went with the flow.

How did you transition from engineering to acting?

In 2012, I completed my engineering degree from IIT Kharagpur. During college, we watched a lot of films and plays, which sparked my interest in acting. However, I never thought of it as a career. After college, I landed in Mumbai. A senior wanted to become a writer and told me about TVF in Mumbai where I could work. Initially, I did not get work, which made me question my abilities. I felt I needed to train myself in acting before entering the industry. So, I took a job in Bangalore to buy some time. Later, I applied to the National School of Drama but couldn’t secure admission.

Did you ever consider going back to engineering?

When I came to Mumbai to act, I felt I lacked good acting skills and thought of returning to engineering. But then I realised I wasn’t a good fit for engineering either. It seemed like I had no other options and was stuck in a closed room, unsure of what to do.

How did the digital world help in your career?

I took a break from my job in Bangalore and came to Mumbai, shooting and posting a few videos on social media. Those videos became hits and I started getting work. By then, TVF had evolved. The new digital era allowed content creation with minimal resources, which helped a lot. This gave work to many people, including me, who might have struggled otherwise.

Do you attribute your success to luck, hard work or talent?

It is difficult to survive without hard work in any field, but luck plays a role too. It was luck that brought me to TVF at the right time, giving me opportunities to evolve. Passion is also important. If you truly want to achieve something, you can do it with dedication.

Tell us about your bonding with Ayushmann Khurrana in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan?

My bonding with Ayushmann was good. During the filming of Shubh Mangal, I was a novice and very nervous. But Ayushmann’s energy and vibes on set were positive. He made me feel comfortable. Even today, when people watch my work, they message and appreciate it.

Do you feel like a celebrity now?

I don’t feel like a star, but I have realised that people like my work. Every artiste wants their work to reach an audience and be appreciated. It feels good when your work is loved. I gauge my success by the audience’s response to my work, not by setting goals. I want to work on good scripts, whether they are web series or films.

How do you view social media?

I have noticed that distancing myself from social media helps me focus on my work. The addictive nature of mobile phones affects our brains and emotions. An actor’s work should speak for itself, without relying on social media. However, social media is a useful marketing tool to reach the audience, but I prefer not to share every detail of my life on it.

How do you see yourself in real life compared to your on-screen persona?

I am the same Jitendra in real life as you see on screen. I’m one among the 90 per cent of the middle-class population. I try to be honest with my feelings. Being an introvert sometimes creates misunderstandings, with people thinking I am arrogant. However, those close to me understand me well and that’s enough.

How do you handle success and failure?

I remain calm and composed, rarely getting angry. I am forthright but considerate of others’ feelings. I don’t celebrate my success loudly. I keep my happiness to myself and focus on my work. I often reflect on my failures to understand what went wrong and how I can improve. I have got what I wanted through a lot of hardships. So when I gained popularity, I did not let success get into my head. Every person has to experience both success and failure, so I take both in my stride. I do not celebrate my happiness. If something is going right in my life, I keep mum and stay content and happy. I do not scream about it from the rooftops. I enjoy my work. And I have a confession to make, whenever the spotlight shines on me, I get scared. Failures ko main bahut kareeb rakhta hoon, chahe fir professionally ho ya personally.

Are you currently in a relationship?

I am single. I have been in relationships earlier, but right now, I want to give time to myself. I connect with many people but believe a serious relationship requires time and commitment.

What does love mean to you?

Being in love means being with someone with whom you can fight and laugh heartily. Someone with whom you can joke around and express your emotions freely. I am a die-hard romantic and believe that friendship is crucial in a relationship. The bond should be strong enough to share everything and understand each other without needing to apologise.



Do you have any dating tips?

If you are dating someone and want to know them better, travel with them. Spending time together while travelling reveals different sides of their personality. It’s a great way to explore and understand each other.

What is on your wishlist?

I want to work with directors like Sriram Raghavan, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, and Imtiaz Ali. My idols include Manoj Bajpayee, Irrfan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilip Kumar, Balraj Sahani, Mohan Lal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carrey, and Steve Carell.

Do you admire any other international actors?

I like Tom Hanks a lot. Despite being a star, he remains unattached to his characters. Breaking out of a particular image can be challenging, but Tom Hanks has managed to avoid being weighed down by his stardom.

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