Exclusive Interview | Jitendra Kumar on how Panchayat changed his career trajectory

You would have been living under a rock if you werenot aware of the fun, unusual, and extraordinary world of Phallera.Amazon Prime's show Panchayat is one of the feel-good shows that millions of people enjoyed during the grim time of the COVID-19 pandemic. After theimmense success of the first two seasons, the third part of the series has been released, promising more fun and craziness in the small world of Phullera.

Actor Jitendra Kumar, lovingly called Jitu Bhaiya by his fan base, has left a mark with his gripping performance in manyacclaimed shows such as Kota Factory, Pitchersand Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan. However, the actor got his breakthrough with his performance as Abhishek in Panchayat, the role thatcatapulted him to success that he would have never thought.

Panchayat Season 3 review: Jitendra Kumar's show keeps the simplistic approach, is high on emotions

After two seasons, he's coming back to enthralthe viewers in season 3 with more heartwarming village stories.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Jitendra Kumar opened up about the success of his show Panchayat, what the audience can expect in season 3, and how the show has reshaped his career trajectory.

Here are theedited excerpts from the exclusive chat:

WION: Panchayat season 3 is one of the most-awaited shows of this year that audience is eagerly waited for. What can the viewers expect this time?

Jitendra: I think the type of extraordinary, unusual village stories that we have seen in season 1 and season 2. Following that, we have tried to show more new, unique stories like that in season 3 as well. So the kind of fun village stories that people had enjoyed in the previous seasons, I hope people will see that type of entertaining stories and will enjoy this show again.

WION: The show was shot in the summer. So, how was the filming experience? Was it tough?

Jitendra: The main problem of shooting there [village] is the weather. Because of extreme weather, if there is rain, then it's like a thunderstorm, if it's hot, then it's extremely hot, crossing 48-49 degrees. So somehow, we were shooting at that time. Because in summer, there is a very scenic view of the village, the village looks like a village, so that was the major reason why we were shooting at that time. There are a few difficulties while shooting. But now, as there is the same crew and same actors, they have gotten pretty used to it. In Season 1, there were a lot of difficulties. But from Season 2 onwards, people got habituated that the weather there is going to be extreme. So no matter how the condition is, we are going to bring out the best we can.

This time also the same happened. Yes, there were some difficulties, but we worked hard and managed well.

WION: There was scepticism about how the audience would react to the show. After its release, the show was a huge success.So, how was the feelingback then after the show became a hit, and now when the season 3 is about torelease?

Jitendra:We didn't have the expectations of this level, focusing on the type of show we were making. However, the script was good and interesting. It was different from the kind of stories that were coming out back then. The makers and everyone liked the concept and story. Adding to that, we never make something thinking that it's working, so we should make it. We never know how it's going to work or what the result will be. It's like an exam, only when you are preparing, you give your hundred per cent. But as for the result, you are nervous and excited, and you cannot predict. So, this is the same case with movies and shows.

With Panchayat, we never had thought that we would get numbers and responses on such a huge level. Of course, there was a thought that anyone who clicked on the show would definitely enjoy it. But, we hadn't expected the show to be enjoyed by so many people to this extent.

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WION: Panchayat has somewhere changed your career trajectory. Do you feel the same?

Jitendra:Yes, of course, post Panchayat, because of the love and numbers the show got. And numbers are very important. If more people are watching, then somehow it will create opportunities. If as an actor, your thing has gotten popular, then from there you will get more good opportunities; good stories will start coming your way. So all of this has come into my work, and I think for that, I feel grateful that the show has got great
numbers like this.



WION: What is your favorite sequence, or dialogue from Panchayat?

Jitendra:I think the first episode of Season 1 when he (Abhishek) comes to the village for the first time. From the start, everything is going wrong with him and like the way he had thought,nothing is going according to him. The whole sequence when he first time goes to the village, how he's starving, his bike indicator gets broken on the same day only. How he spends the whole day roaming here and there for the key with Pradhan ji (Head of the village), who is telling him about the village, in which he's (Abhishek) not interested at all.That sequence of the first day is very interesting. And that we had shot in the first few days of the schedule. So the overall experience of shooting that particular scene and watching it visually is one of my favourite sequences, and I enjoy it a lot.''