Affectionately known as “Jeetu Bhaiya” from popular shows such as Kota Factory and Sachiv ji from Panchayat, actor Jitendra Kumar has taken on a completely new challenge in his latest film Bhagwat, which is now streaming on Zee5 Global.
Speaking to Connected to India, the IIT Kharagpur graduate said playing a dark, negative character for the first time was both exciting and difficult.
Known for his easy-going and relatable roles, Jitendra, who plays Sameer, said Bhagwat pushed him far beyond his comfort zone. The actor credited the movie’s writer, Sumit Saxena, for offering him the role and said the story’s complexity drew him in immediately.
Jitendra also spoke about how his days at IIT shaped his interest in acting. His time in theatre and meeting senior writer Biswapati Sarkar gave him the direction and confidence to pursue performance seriously, he added.
Later, his years with TVF became his real acting school, where shooting new sketches every few days helped him adapt to different roles quickly.
Talking about his process, he said preparation for each project begins with detailed discussions with the director and writer. He tries to understand the creative vision and often reads with co-actors to find the right rhythm for his scenes.
Jitendra also spoke about working with Arshad Warsi in Bhagwat, stating that it was a memorable experience. With Bhagwat, he believes audiences will see a new and unexpected side of him.
Watch the full conversation below.
