Panchayat fame Saanvika, who won hearts as Rinki in the hit web series, recently opened up about her hesitation around filming a kissing scene with co-star Jitendra Kumar. Speaking in a candid interview with Just Too Filmy, the actress revealed how the makers originally included a romantic sequence that made her uncomfortable.
Saanvika recalled, “The scene was initially narrated as a simple moment in a car, where Rinki falls and the two kiss. I was unsure and asked for two days to think. Panchayat is watched by families, and I wasn’t sure how people would take it. I decided to say no.”
The actress added that the makers respected her decision. Rather than scrapping the scene, the makers gave it a creative twist. “They said we’ll shoot it aesthetically and changed the location to the iconic tanki. Even then, while filming, it felt awkward. But Jeetu (Jitendra Kumar) was extremely respectful and made me feel at ease throughout,” she shared.
Though the scene was subtle, it still became a talking point among fans. Saanvika said her family hasn’t discussed it with her yet, but she trusts they’ll understand.
Set in the heartland of India, Panchayat follows Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), an urban youth navigating life as a secretary in the rural panchayat of Phulera. Backed by powerhouses like Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav, the series has earned a permanent place in Indian homes.
While the first three seasons were adored for their humor and relatability, Season 4 received mixed feedback. Fans praised the emotional depth, but many felt it lacked the light-hearted magic of earlier seasons, especially the controversial finale.
Panchayat is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.