Panchayat’s Binod recalls rejection over looks: Went to parlour, got facial
Actor Ashok Pathak, popularly known for playing Binod in the TVF series 'Panchayat', recently opened up about being rejected for roles due to his looks.
In an exclusive conversation with IndiaToday.in during his recent visit to Delhi, the actor recalled how such rejections were once a common part of his journey.
In an industry that is dominated by good looks, in his career when he was judged not for his talent but for his appearance. Recalling an incident from over a decade ago, he shared how the pressure to "look charming" nearly cost him a role he had already auditioned for, until his performance proved too strong to ignore.
"I would not like to name the film, but it was a big-budget one. My audition was done, and my role was a major one in that project. Everything was going smoothly, but I wasn't getting the final call. I had met the director and producer, but no one had called me for nearly a week. I thought maybe there was some requirement in terms of looks for that role, possibly something to do with the poster," he told us.
"After a week, I got a call where they said, 'Why don't you go to a beauty parlour and get a facial done?' I was told there should be some shine and charm on my face. Deep down, I knew nothing would change, yet I went to the parlour and got a facial done. Then I turned to home remedies like applying haldi at night before sleeping, just to look good."
"I used to tell people that I was focusing on my face and looks, but I didn't really put in much effort, just went to the parlour that one day. That was a tough time for me because I could see others giving auditions in front of me and getting selected," recalled the actor," he said.
However, it was not long before things changed for the actor. "Finally, I got to play the part I had auditioned for, because they couldn't find anyone who could deliver what the makers were expecting. And then, they took me as I was. I feel that if your work is clean and up to the mark, they can compromise with looks because they don't compromise with talent. If you look at Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he used to look very different initially, and now he's on magazine covers too," the actor added.
Meanwhile ,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.
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