Panchayat 2 Star Ashok Pathak's Journey From Being A Cotton Seller To An Actor Is Awe-Inspiring
Today, after all the hustling, playing minor yet significant roles, and continuing his love for art, Pathak lives in his well-deserved one-room-kitchen apartment in Mumbai, which he brought for himself!
In 2017, Sumukhi Suresh's Pushpavalli made headlines. One of the unique characters in the show was 'Chaiwala' (Tea-seller), who went out of his way to help Pushpavalli on her mission.
Amazon Prime Video
Cut to 2022. The Internet can't stop lauding Pathak for his role as 'Vinod' in Panchayat 2.
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The chaiwala from Pushpavalli played Vinod in Panchayat 2, and this time, it makes us realize how much the actor needs to get his due!
Instagram/Ashok Pathak
Unlike star kids who have solid financial backing and a big-banner project waiting for them outside their doorstep, for Ashok, his Mumbai journey began with Rs 40,000 in his pocket 11 years ago.
Ashok Pathak/Instagram
After a struggle of over a decade, Vinod is finally getting all the love he always deserved! His role in 'Panchayat 2' has made him the internet's favorite sensation.
A big round of applause for #AshokPathak aka #Vinod of the webseries #PanchayatSeason2 . He did a remarkable job,Next Gem ? in making. Eagerly waiting to see him again but this time in a lead role. #panchayat2 #Panchayat @TheViralFever @PrimeVideoIN @StephenPoppins @Farjigulzar
¡ª Sharad Choudhary (@sharad098) May 23, 2022
@TheViralFever just watched Panchayat 2, how do you guys do it everytime. Seems like you guys gave "Paracetamol" to Bollywood ? Hats off to all your crew and cast. Special mention to "Prahlad ji" and "Vinod" to take the acting level to perfection.
¡ª Rajnish (@Rohitmcw) May 22, 2022
Dear @Ghntaghartalki and team @Castingbayindia I already admire your casting skills. But after watching Panchayat 2, the selection of Ashok Pathak as Vinod is amazing. 100 percent perfect. Many many congratulations . Keep up the great work like this.
¡ª M K Pandey (@jannattalkies) May 24, 2022
Love to Ashok pathak
But how did Ashok bag 'Panchayat 2'?
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After several years of struggle and taking up 'blink and miss' roles, Ashok said he was looking for something substantial but didn't know if he could ever get one.
Pathak's fate changed with 'Panchayat 2' and talking about the same, he spoke to India today and shared how everything fell into place. Vinod said,
#Vinod vindo vinod you are too good yaar ????#PanchayatSeason2 #panchayat2#PanchayatOnPrime #Panchayat #amazonprime @jitendrajk06 pic.twitter.com/mlDzXl6zXY
¡ª Hari kishan (@i_am_Hariiii) May 19, 2022
"When I got a call from the casting, I was very disappointed. In fact, for the last several years, I have been playing characters like a street vendor, a driver, or a security guard. In such a situation, it seems that this character, Vinod, is also like that. I kept postponing the audition for two or three days. The casting guys are my friends, so I couldn't even deny them."
Ashok, who wasn't too optimistic after struggling for over a decade, said,
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"I made an audition video and sent it to them. At that time, I was shooting for Aarya. They liked that video, and I was finalized for the role. I never refuse work. But maybe this was bound to happen. But perhaps it had to happen, otherwise, I would not have gotten that much love from people."
Ashok's life has not exactly been a cakewalk. Ashok's journey has been full of struggles.
According to India Today, Ashok and his family migrated from Bihar to Haryana for work, and their financial condition was okay. At the age of 15, when he was in class 10th, he sold cotton to lend a helping hand to his family. He would use bicycles to sell cotton. Things turned better by the time he was in Class 12th, and his father's financial situation also improved.
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He joined college, got into theatre, and explored his love for acting. In 11 years of his acting journey, he has acted in films and web shows, including Bittoo Boss, Shanghai, The Field, Saat Uchakkey, A Death in the Gunj, Class of 83, Sacred Games, Pakauu, and Guns of Benaras, among many others.
Today, after all the hustling and continuing his love for acting, Pathak lives in his well-deserved one-room-kitchen apartment in Mumbai, which he brought for himself!
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