Jitendra Kumar, also known as Jeetu, returns as ‘Sachiv Ji’ in the third season of the Prime Video India Original series Panchayat. In an interview with India Today, the actor addressed previous rumors surrounding his relationship with the makers and long-time collaborators, The Viral Fever (TVF), which left fans wondering about his return to the show.
Addressing the speculations, Jeetu remarked, “There was a lot of panic, evident across social media. The last season concluded with Abhishek’s transfer, which further fueled the buzz. There was a misunderstanding, and honestly, I also got troubled answering the same questions. At one point, I just wanted people to stop asking about it.”
Acknowledging his enduring bond with TVF, Jeetu emphasized, “Given our long association, people were concerned about what went wrong. I understood it stemmed from their love, and we simply waited for the first trailer to put an end to all speculations.” His character, Abhishek aka Sachiv Ji, receiving a transfer from the village of Phulera at the end of season 2, sparked rumors about his absence in season 3. Additionally, Jeetu was noticeably absent from the much-anticipated second season of TVF Pitchers, streamed on ZEE5 last year.
Jitendra Kumar’s journey with TVF began with a supporting role in Permanent Roommates (2014), considered one of India’s first web series. His breakthrough came with TVF Pitchers the following year, where he portrayed a character named Jeetu, coincidentally sharing his own name. Subsequently, he appeared in several TVF Originals before gaining acclaim with Netflix India Original Kota Factory (2019) and Prime Video India Original Panchayat (2020).
Expanding his horizon, Jitendra ventured into Bollywood with the comedy Gone Kesh in 2019, followed by a prominent role in Hitesh Kevalya’s romantic comedy Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. He also featured in the Netflix India film Jaadugar in 2022, showcasing his versatility as an actor.