Rejected by NSD and FTII, Panchayat’s Jitendra Kumar Took This Bold Step

Ziya Khan June 6, 2024Last Updated: June 6, 2024

This year, Jitendra Kumar is set to delight audiences with the release of two consecutive web series, Panchayat Season 3 and Kota Factory Season 3. However, there was a time when the talented actor faced a setback after being rejected by both the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) and the Film and Television Institute (FTII). Despite this disappointment, Jitendra Kumar persevered in his pursuit of acting, taking on various roles at The Viral Fever (TVF), which eventually led to his breakthrough in the industry.

Here’s what he had to say about his experience of facing dual rejections from NSD and FTII.In 2012, Jitendra Kumar joined TVF as a writer, under the guidance of his senior and later Panchayat co-star Biswapati Sarkar. However, facing limited acting opportunities, he decided to leave the company and took up a job in a construction company. It was during this time that one of Jitendra’s sketches at TVF went viral, reigniting his passion for acting and prompting him to consider applying to film institutes.In an interview with The Better India, Jitendra reflected on his interview experiences at NSD and FTII.

He shared, “The experience at NSD was particularly humbling. Looking back, I realize that I simply wasn’t adequately prepared. To gain admission to NSD, one needs to possess additional skills such as dance and classical music, in addition to acting. One of the interviewers even questioned my decision to pursue acting as an engineer. Naturally, I didn’t take that feedback well initially, although I later understood where he was coming from. So, I decided to return to TVF and rekindle my acting career, and that’s when things started falling into place for me.”Jitendra Kumar’s filmography is a testament to his talent and versatility.

He gained recognition through his roles in TVF shows such as Permanent Roommates and Pitchers, which eventually led to his breakout performance as Jeetu Bhaiya in Kota Factory. He further captured the mainstream audience’s attention with his role in Amazon Prime Video’s Panchayat, which premiered its third season last month. Jitendra has also made appearances in feature films such as Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Chaman Bahaar, Jaadugar, and Dry Day.