Panchayat actor Durgesh Kumar confesses being depressed twice in 11 years, speaks about struggles of surviving in film industry: “This place is filled with crazy people” 11 : Bollywood News

Durgesh Kumar, known for his role as Bhushan (Banrakas) in the popular web series Panchayat, has shed light on the harsh realities of pursuing an acting career. In a recent interview with Lallantop, Durgesh spoke candidly about his battles with depression, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the lengths he had to go to survive.

Panchayat actor Durgesh Kumar confesses being depressed twice in 11 years, speaks about struggles of surviving in film industry: “This place is filled with crazy people”

Durgesh elaborated on the importance of mental well-being for aspiring actors. "You need to be prepared...psychologically, physically, mentally, emotionally and economically," he stated. He revealed his own experiences with depression, highlighting the demanding nature of the industry. "I have suffered depression twice in 11 years. Unless you are not psychologically, economically and mentally healthy, please don’t come in the acting field. I am being brutally honest about it," he cautioned.

He further offered a stark view of the film industry, contrasting the success stories with the struggles of countless others. He acknowledged the talent of established actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, but stressed the fierce competition and emotional toll. "This place is filled with crazy people," he said. He pointed out the high number of talented individuals who never achieved mainstream recognition.

As the conversation progressed further, Durgesh recounted his early days in Mumbai, where he would persistently approach casting directors, even after having worked on films like Highway, Sultan, and Freaky Ali. "I fell on their feet to cast me in some role," he admitted. He acknowledged the difficulty of attending auditions after having established credits.

Panchayat, streaming on Prime Video, stars Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Chandan Roy, Faisal Malik, Ashok Pathak, and of course, Durgesh Kumar. The series has garnered positive acclaim for its portrayal of rural life and its relatable characters.

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