Jitendra Kumar on Bhagwat: My move to thrillers is 'expanding' my image, not 'breaking away'

Jitendra Kumar shifts from slice-of-life roles to his first suspense film, Bhagwat to 'expand' his image and tackle a genre relying on tension. He was drawn to the "page-turner" script.

Jitendra Kumar/Instagram

The new ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) suspense thriller Bhagwat marks a genre shift for Jitendra Kumar, who is famous as "Jeetu Bhaiya" for his relatable roles in popular slice-of-life web series. After a string of hit series like TVF Pitchers Kota Factory, and Panchayat, the actor is taking on a new challenge with a full-length criminal comedy.

Motivation to defy audience expectations

Kumar claimed that his desire to play parts that deviated from what the audience had come to anticipate was the driving force behind the decision. He told Mid Day, "People have mostly seen me in roles that are warm and relatable. So, stepping into a genre that relies on tension and unpredictability was exciting."

For Kumar, shooting the crime thriller was a giant step forward creatively. Embracing the procedure as a chance for personal development, he stated, "It was about discovering a new kind of energy, one that is more intense and internal."

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Acknowledging pre-filming nerves

Before filming began in Uttar Pradesh, the actor confessed to feeling anxious. "There were nerves. That’s a good sign because it means I care about what I’m doing," he admitted when asked about his anxiety before the filming.

Kumar is portraying his decision to star in Bhagwat as an opportunity to showcase his acting skills rather than a rejection of his established image. "I wouldn’t call it breaking away from the image; I would call it expanding," he said, accurately expressing his viewpoint. He added, "I love slice-of-life stories and will continue to do them. But I also want to keep showing the audience the different shades of what I can do."

Praising "page-turner" script

The actor was very sure that Akshay Shere's directing project would be the perfect platform for him to show off his range. He declared Bhagwat to have a "page-turner" script. "Right from the first few pages, I was hooked," Kumar said, expanding on his observation of the story's captivating quality. He went on to say, "The story has that rare quality where you’re constantly guessing what’s going to happen next."

It appears that Kumar is making a deliberate move to explore more intense and surprising cinematic territory with this shift, indicating a desire to broaden his artistic horizons while still valuing the genre that brought him immense fame. There has been no word yet on when Bhagwat will be available on ZEE5.

FAQs:

Q: What kind of film is Bhagwat?

A: Bhagwat is a suspense film, marking actor Jitendra Kumar's first foray into the thriller genre, which he describes as a ZEE5 crime thriller.

Q: Who is the director of the film Bhagwat?

A: The film Bhagwat is a directorial venture by Akshay Shere.

Q: What other popular shows has Jitendra Kumar starred in?

A: Jitendra Kumar is famous for his slice-of-life shows such as TVF Pitchers Kota Factory, and Panchayat.

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