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Last Updated: March 31, 2025, 11:46 IST
Durgesh Kumar, recognized for his portrayal of Bhushan in Panchayat, expresses disappointment with the casting landscape in the industry despite his viral success.
He is best known for his role in the comedy-drama series.
Durgesh Kumar captured the public’s attention with his memorable role as Bhushan in the acclaimed web series Panchayat. His engaging performance and catchphrases, including “Dekh raha hai Binod” and “Allhua meeting,” became cultural phenomena, garnering an impressive fanbase. In a surprising twist, Kumar’s online clips have even amassed more views than those featuring legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. Nevertheless, this online fame has not translated into significant offers from major production houses.
During a candid interview with Mid-Day, Kumar, who initially gained recognition as Aadoo in the film Highway, shared his discontent with the industry’s unique dynamics. Despite having won the audience’s affection, he continues to face challenges in securing casting opportunities. He lamented, “I keep working, but no big production houses are showing much interest in casting me.”
Kumar highlighted the impressive viewership of his content, indicating a stark contrast with established stars. “My videos have over 5 million views, while his have 1.5 million,” he noted, emphasizing his widespread appeal.
With a foundation of 12 years of training in Delhi theatre, Kumar expressed his confusion over how casting decisions are made in the industry. Reflecting on his time working on Panchayat, he mentioned his limited involvement in Season 2, stating he worked for just 20 days, yet his line “Dekh raha hai Binod” achieved viral status. He spoke fondly of his experience on the show, saying, “Honestly, we were not acting but living our characters,” and noted the strong camaraderie he built with his co-stars.
About Panchayat
Panchayat is a well-received Indian comedy-drama series available on Amazon Prime Video. The narrative revolves around Abhishek, an engineering graduate from an urban environment, who unexpectedly finds himself as the secretary of a village panchayat in rural Uttar Pradesh. As he navigates his initial reluctance, he develops meaningful relationships with locals, including the panchayat head, Manju Devi, and his colleagues, Vikas and Prahlad. The show is celebrated for its humor, authentic characters, and insightful portrayal of life in rural India.
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