Jitendra Kumar, popularly known as Jeetu, has returned as ‘Sachiv Ji’ in the highly anticipated third season of Prime Video’s Panchayat. In an interview with India Today, the actor discussed the persistent rumors about his fallout with The Viral Fever (TVF), the creators of the show, which had caused concern among his fans.
Rumors of Fallout with TVF
Addressing the rumors, Jitendra explained, “There was a lot of panic, and I could see that all over social media. The last season ended on Abhishek’s transfer, and that spurred the buzz further. There was a misunderstanding, and honestly, main bhi pareshan ho jata tha (I would get troubled) answering the same questions. At one point, I was like aur mat poochon, bandh karo yeh (don’t ask about it, end it now).”
Fans’ Concerns and Love
Jitendra acknowledged that his long association with TVF led fans to worry about a potential fallout. “People were worried about what went wrong. I understood it’s their love and we just waited for the first trailer to end all speculations,” he added. His character, Abhishek, was transferred from the village of Phulera at the end of season 2, fueling rumors about his exit from the show.
Absence from TVF Pitchers Season 2
Jeetu’s absence from the much-awaited season 2 of TVF Pitchers, which streamed on ZEE5 last year, also added to the speculation. However, his return in Panchayat season 3 has put an end to these rumors.
Jitendra Kumar’s Journey with TVF
Jitendra Kumar began his career with a supporting role in TVF’s Permanent Roommates (2014), widely considered India’s first web series. He gained significant recognition with TVF Pitchers (2015), where he played a character named Jeetu. This was followed by several successful TVF Originals, including the critically acclaimed Kota Factory (2019) and Panchayat (2020).
Bollywood and Other Ventures
Apart from web series, Jitendra made his Bollywood debut in 2019 with the comedy Gone Kesh. He played a parallel lead role in Hitesh Kevalya’s romantic comedy Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan alongside Ayushmann Khurrana. In 2022, he starred in the Netflix India film Jaadugar.
Future Prospects
With his return in Panchayat season 3, Jitendra Kumar continues to captivate audiences with his versatile performances. His journey from web series to Bollywood demonstrates his range and talent, making him one of the most beloved actors in the industry.