Panchayat fame Pankaj Jha talks about being recognised after the show: 'Doesn’t mean I feel famous'

(Centre) Pankaj Jha in Panchayat

With a recurring role in three seasons of Panchayat, actor Pankaj Jha aka the sharp-tongued Vidhayakji has become a recognised face. But the actor is refreshingly detached from the fame the popular dramedy has brought him. "I don't belong to any industry," he says, before adding, "I live in Pune. I paint, I write poetry; acting is just a part of my life. I recently had a successful solo art show at Jehangir Art Gallery. That is also part of my expression."

The actor views Panchayat - led by Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Raghubir Yadav - as another avenue of creative expression. The fame is a byproduct. "People on the street may recognise me, but that doesn't mean I feel famous. For me, success is being in the moment. Most people keep recycling their past achievements to feel worthy," he shares.

Jha has over 50 films to his credit, including Monsoon Wedding (2001), Company (2002), Black Friday (2004), and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005). But acting, to him, has never been about visibility or strategising to build a robust career. "I don't manage projects. I simply respond to energy," he says. That's how he chose his latest film, Sarpanch Sahab. He shares, "When I met Shahid Khan, the director, his sincerity and honesty drew me in."

In an industry where advertising one's work comes a close second to the craft, he doesn't believe in promoting his work. "If your work speaks, why should you? If it doesn't, then no amount of talking will help," he smiles.