Panchayat's Ashok Pathak on being typecast: Nobody really wants to put in effort

India Today

11-07-2025

Panchayat actor Ashok Pathak, known for his portrayal of Binod, recently opened up about the challenges of being typecast. Despite delivering a standout performance in the show's fourth season, he revealed that the industry often limits actors to similar roles, unwilling to take creative risks.In an interview with IndiaToday.in, the actor shared how he's been actively turning down repetitive offers and is now hopeful for a shift in perception after the success of the fourth season.advertisement"The problem I'm facing after Panchayat is that I keep getting offered similar roles. It feels like nobody really wants to put in the effort. Even the makers don't think that if someone has portrayed a character well, they can be experimented with in other roles too. For instance, my role in 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' wasn't related to comedy at all. The makers changed their initial idea and offered me a completely different character.'
Adding, he said, 'I used to feel bad because I kept getting Binod-like roles, and I turned them all down. Now, after Season 4, I hope people notice the intensity in my performance, because earlier, they only focused on the humour and comic sketch of my character. I'm flooded with messages from fans and well-wishers who've praised my performance. I want to take on different kinds of roles. Things are changing. There are now people who believe I can do more, and they've started placing their faith in me."What could be the reason behind this?When asked the actor what could possibly be the reason behind actors being stereotyped, Pathak stated that he is determined to break free from the stereotypes that have followed him since. He also spoke about the industry's tendency to typecast actors and how very few filmmakers are willing to challenge the status quo.'The problem is that nobody really wants to put in the hard work. Take Paresh Rawal, for instance, he was known for villainous roles for a long time until he got the chance to play Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in 'Hera Pheri'. That role changed the entire mindset of audiences, and now no one can imagine anyone else playing Baburao. Similarly, Amrish Puri sir was also known for similar roles until his powerful performances in 'Ghayal' and 'Ghatak' came along.'Adding, he said, 'I feel people often don't want to break these stereotypes. But there are some makers who love challenges and dare to cast actors in roles very different from what they've done before. Another great example is Pankaj Pahwa—just look at his stellar acting in films like 'Mulk' and 'Article 15'.'Meanwhile, Prime Video and The Viral Fever (TVF) have officially announced that 'Panchayat' will return for a fifth season, set to premiere in 2026. The decision follows the remarkable success of Season 4, which delivered the biggest opening in the series' history. Launched on June 24, the latest instalment has managed to receive rave reviews from fans and critics alike.'Panchayat Season 4', which premiered on June 24, featured Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, and others in pivotal roles.- EndsMust Watch