Jitendra Kumar, fondly known as “Sachiv Ji” from the hit OTT series Panchayat, has become a household name in India, capturing hearts with his relatable performances and effortless charm. An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, his journey from an engineering student to an OTT superstar is a tale of passion, perseverance, and breaking stereotypes. Below is an account of his success story, highlighting his early struggles and rise to fame.

Early Life and Education

Born on September 1, 1990, in Khairthal, a small town in Alwar, Rajasthan, Jitendra Kumar grew up in a family of civil engineers, with his father, uncles, and cousins all in the profession. As a child, he was drawn to performing arts, participating in local Ramlila performances and mimicking Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Nana Patekar. However, societal and familial expectations steered him toward a conventional path.

To secure a stable future, Jitendra’s father sent him to Kota, Rajasthan, a hub for IIT entrance exam preparation. With dedication and hard work, he cracked the highly competitive JEE exam and secured admission to IIT Kharagpur to study civil engineering. While this seemed like the start of a promising engineering career, Jitendra’s heart lay elsewhere.

Discovering Acting at IIT

During his time at IIT Kharagpur, Jitendra discovered his passion for acting through the Hindi Technology Dramatics Society. He performed in stage plays and street performances, which ignited his love for the craft. A pivotal moment came when he met Biswapati Sarkar, a senior at IIT who later became the creative director and writer at The Viral Fever (TVF). This connection would prove transformative for Jitendra’s career.

Despite his growing interest in acting, Jitendra initially followed the expected path. After graduating, he took up a well-paying job at a multinational corporation (MNC) in Mumbai, as his parents were skeptical about acting as a viable career. However, the corporate life felt unfulfilling, and Jitendra realized his true calling was in performance.

Early Struggles and Rejection

Jitendra’s transition to acting was far from smooth. He faced significant challenges, including repeated rejections and financial instability. To sustain himself while pursuing acting, he took up tutoring students, which provided a steady income but left him with limited time to chase his dreams. He described this period as a struggle to gain confidence in leaving a stable job for the uncertainty of acting.

One notable setback was his rejection from the National School of Drama (NSD), a prestigious institution for aspiring actors. Additionally, Jitendra faced a racist boss during his early days, adding to his challenges. His parents were initially unsupportive of his decision to leave a secure job, particularly when he moved back to Mumbai to pursue acting, as they preferred he apply to institutions like NSD or FTII.

Jitendra’s early acting gigs were modest. He started with small roles, including a one-day shoot for a TVF project, and faced the uncertainty of auditions. He felt like a “misfit” in the industry, as he didn’t fit the stereotypical image of a quintessential actor. However, he embraced acting as a broad craft, requiring lifelong learning and persistence.

Breakthrough with TVF

Jitendra’s fortunes changed when he joined TVF in 2012, thanks to his connection with Biswapati Sarkar. His first major role came in 2013 with the viral YouTube sketch Munna Jazbaati: The Q-tiya Intern, which garnered over 3 million views and marked his entry into the digital space. This success led to a series of popular TVF sketches, including roles like Arjun Kejriwal (a parody of the politician) and characters in TVF Bachelors, Permanent Roommates, and TVF Pitchers.

His role as Jitendra Maheshwari in TVF Pitchers (2015), a series about young entrepreneurs navigating the startup world, brought him significant recognition. The show captured the zeitgeist of India’s startup boom and showcased Jitendra’s ability to portray relatable, grounded characters.

However, it was his portrayal of “Jeetu Bhaiya” in Kota Factory (2019) that made him a digital superstar. Playing a charismatic yet empathetic teacher mentoring IIT aspirants, Jitendra resonated with millions of students, particularly those familiar with the pressures of competitive exams. The character earned him the affectionate nickname “Jeetu Bhaiya” and cemented his status as a relatable figure.

The Rise to Stardom with Panchayat

Jitendra’s career reached new heights with Panchayat, a comedy-drama series created by TVF for Amazon Prime Video, which premiered in April 2020. He played Abhishek Tripathi, an engineering graduate reluctantly working as a panchayat secretary in the fictional rural village of Phulera, Uttar Pradesh. The show’s light-hearted yet poignant portrayal of rural life, combined with Jitendra’s nuanced performance, struck a chord with audiences across urban, small-town, and international viewers.

Initially skeptical about the show’s appeal, Jitendra was surprised by its widespread success. He noted that Panchayat’s unique storytelling, focusing on the mundane struggles of village life, set it apart from typical small-town narratives. The series’ authenticity, bolstered by its filming in a real panchayat office in Mahodiya Village, Madhya Pradesh, and the stellar ensemble cast (including Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav), earned critical acclaim. Jitendra’s performance as the frustrated yet adaptable “Sachiv Ji” won him two Filmfare OTT Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. Panchayat’s success continued with its second season (2022) and third season (2024), with the latter garnering 12 million views in its debut week and ranking number one on IMDb’s list of Most Popular TV Shows in India. The fourth season, released in June 2025, further solidified Jitendra’s status as an OTT icon, despite mixed reviews about pacing and comedic elements.

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Grounded

Jitendra’s journey was not without hurdles. He faced rumors of a fallout with Panchayat’s producers after season two, fueled by his character’s transfer in the storyline, which he clarified as a misunderstanding. His long association with TVF and focus on quality content helped him navigate such challenges. Despite his fame, Jitendra remains grounded, preferring a low-key life. With a reported net worth of Rs 7 crore and a luxurious car collection (including a Mercedes Benz GLS 350D and Toyota Fortuner), he rarely shares personal details on social media, focusing instead on promoting his work.