'I was very uncomfortable': Saanvika, aka Panchayat's Rinki, reveals romantic scene with Jitendra Kumar (Sachiv Ji) was 'awkward'

Time of India

a day ago

Actress Says No to a Pivotal Scene
Deliberation and the Final Choice
A Sensitive Redirection
Mutual Understanding Fuels Their Bond
About the Show and Future Plans
The effortless camaraderie between Saanvika and Jitendra Kumar has become a highlight of Panchayat, the widely acclaimed rural drama that continues to charm audiences across seasons. Their natural on-screen connection has sparked widespread discussions, especially as the narrative between their characters—Rinki and Abhishek Tripathi (also known as Sachiv Ji)—slowly develops with each installment. However, what viewers didn't see was a significant decision made off-camera that altered a major plot point in Season 4.During a conversation with Just Too Filmy, Saanvika disclosed that she had turned down a kissing scene originally written into the script. She shared that when she was first briefed on her character's arc for the season, nothing about a romantic moment was mentioned. It was only later, through a conversation with director Deepak Kumar Mishra and writer Chandan Kumar, that she was told about a new scene involving a kiss between Rinki and Sachiv Ji. The context involved the characters being inside a car where an emotional moment would lead to a kiss.'In the beginning, no one said anything when the narration was done. But then director Akshat talked to me. He told us that in this season we have inserted a scene where Sachiv ji and Rinki will kiss. Earlier the scene was different. Both of them are in the car; she falls down, and then they kiss," she revealed.Faced with the request, Saanvika asked for time to reflect. She considered both her personal boundaries and the tone of the show. Known for its wholesome appeal and deep connection with family audiences, Panchayat has earned a reputation for being clean, grounded, and universally watchable. Saanvika explained that while she was not completely against the idea in general, she wasn't at ease with the scene in this particular context. After two days of contemplation, she decided to opt out of the scene and communicated her discomfort to the creators."I thought that 'Panchayat' has all kinds of audiences, but mostly family people. I was worried about how he would react, and I was also not comfortable. So I refused at that time. But when we were shooting, they removed that scene.." she explained.The makers respected her decision and chose to remove the scene entirely. Instead, they devised an alternative—the now-talked-about 'water tank' scene, which subtly conveyed the emotional bond between Rinki and Sachiv Ji without any overt intimacy. Although the team assured her that the original scene would be shot tastefully, Saanvika admitted that the filming atmosphere still felt uneasy. She praised Jitendra Kumar for being respectful and supportive, describing him as someone who goes out of his way to make co-actors feel safe and relaxed."They said that we will not shoot it in a vulgar way. But when we were shooting, it felt awkward. I became very uncomfortable, but Jeetu (Jitendra Kumar) is a very nice person. He makes you feel comfortable," she stated.In a previous interview with News18 Showsha, Saanvika also reflected on the chemistry she shares with her co-star. She mentioned that their dynamic is unspoken and intuitive—they don't communicate much beyond the basics on set, yet they instinctively understand each other's rhythms during performance. This ease and mutual respect translate beautifully into their characters' interactions on screen, deepening the show's charm.Panchayat, set in the fictional village of Phulera, narrates the story of Abhishek Tripathi, an engineering graduate who finds himself employed as the secretary of a rural panchayat office. Alongside Jitendra Kumar and Saanvika, the show features veteran actors such as Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, and Sunita Rajwar.Saanvika has confirmed that work has begun on Panchayat Season 5 . The writing process is already underway, and if all goes according to plan, filming could commence either at the end of this year or early next year. A mid-2026 release is being eyed.