Durgesh Kumar today has become a household face. As Bhushan in Panchayat, his performance is terrific and his meme ‘Dekh raha hai Binod’ took his character to dizzying heights. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke with him about Panchayat’s latest season and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Panchayat actor Durgesh Kumar of ‘Dekh raha hai Binod’ fame reveals he gets hate messages from fans; talks about working in Sultan: “Salman Khan is like a GOD’s gift”
How has been the response to Panchayat Season 3?
The response has been fantastic. I reside in Versova. 2-3 lakh actors stay here. Many of them have complimented my work. Actor Atul Srivastava called and congratulated me. Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vijay Raaz, too, gave positive feedback.
Did you or the team ever imagine that ‘Dekh raha hai Binod’ would become such a cult dialogue?
Never. It all boils down to a solid script. The dialogue happens to come at an interesting juncture in the show and that’s how it got connected with the audience.
Do people now recognize you on the streets?
Yes, many times. This started after the second season of the show dropped. After Season 3, however, people have now started clicking pictures with me (smiles).
Do people get angry about the way you harass Sachiv ji (played by Jitendra Kumar)?
Not at all. In real life, I am the opposite of Bhushan and I am very down to earth. But on Instagram, however, log gaali galauj karte hai. They complain, ‘Pradhan ji aur Sachiv ji ko kyun pareshan karta hai tu?’ (laughs)!
Do you reply to the trolls?
I never respond to such messages.
In the show, you are a sworn enemy of Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav. How is the bond off-screen with them?
We have a great bond. They are senior actors and very courteous. At the same time, they are also like friends.
And how is it working with Jitendra Kumar?
It’s great. We keep chatting on WhatsApp. I invited him to watch my play, Othello. He replied that he wouldn’t be able to make it due to the promotions.
How is it shooting in the village of Mahadoiya, depicted as Phulera in Panchayat?
Desh ke aur gaav ki tarah woh bhi bada pyaara gaav hai. Lekin Mahadoiya gaav kuch zyada hi pyaara hai. This is because they don’t crowd around to see the shoot. Anyway, this show doesn’t have big stars. They often wonder, ‘Kitne take lete rehte hai yeh log?’! When they see the final product on Amazon Prime Video, then they enjoy it. But they know that watching the shoot is no fun and even the kids are aware of this fact.
Viewers feel a connection with this village and many wish to visit…
Yes, the village tank or the Panchayat Bhavan are like characters that people admire. The credit for it also goes to our cinematographer Amitabha Singh. He’s an FTII graduate and takes on limited projects. The way he has shot it, he’s a genius.
When can we expect Panchayat Season 4?
Officially, nothing has been communicated to us. But I believe Season 4 would be made.
This year, you were also seen in Bhakshak and Laapataa Ladies. Do you fear that you’ll become stereotyped as a villager? I am sure you’d like to play different kind of characters, like that of an urban rich man for instance…
Yes, and in fact, I had auditioned for a web series by Dharma Productions. Sadly, I couldn’t crack it. But the main point is that the makers are considering me for such characters which can help break this stereotype. I am not the actor who’ll be considered for lead roles. I am a character artist and I am content with it. Also, I’d like to work to the best of my capacity.
In an interview, you mentioned that you worked in an adult film…
It wasn’t an adult film as such. It was an ALT Balaji show named Virgin Bhaskar and had a great story. People misinterpreted my statement. There’s no intimate scene but this is a show which discusses sex extensively. So, this is what I was referring to. When actors struggle, they sign certain projects to earn money. And I believe ki mera kaam usme bahut accha hai. Even today, when I land at Varanasi airport, a couple of people address me as Batuknath (his character’s name in Virgin Bhaskar)!
Is there an improvement in the fees given to you, after the success of Panchayat?
Yes. People now take me seriously. They feel that ‘yeh actor bhi ek chota-mota brand ban sakta hai’. Just two days ago, I shot for an ad. So, it’s heartening that I am also now a brand ambassador (smiles)…
As per your IMDb profile, you are also a part of Sultan…
Yes. If you see the film closely, you’ll spot me in the role of a Haryanvi commentator along with Shimmi Narang.
Did you get a chance to meet Salman Khan?
No, but the first time I saw Salman Khan was during the premiere of Freaky Ali (2016). There’s a saying in Hindi ‘Khuda ki naimat’ (God’s gift). I could sense that energy in him due to his personality and his passion for helping people. I also got the same vibe from his brothers, Sohail Khan and Arbaaz Khan.
Your first film was Highway (2014). Are you in touch with its director Imtiaz Ali?
Yes. I wish him on his birthday and on Diwali and Eid every year. And he always replies to me. Recently, I worked in Laapataa Ladies. Unki jo writer thi, she had worked with him. She called him and made me talk to him. Imtiaz told her that I am a very genuine actor (smiles).
Is anybody from your family also into acting?
They have no interest in acting and are in the teaching profession. My father is now retired and is ill. My elder sister is into business while my younger sister has a PhD in Political Science. They often tell me, ‘Tu engineer banta toh theek rehta. Yeh sab kya kar raha hai?’!
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