For actors, some moments become milestones, and for Panchayat stars Durgesh Kumar and Ashok Pathak, their recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become one such memory. The actors, who have become household names thanks to their memorable performances as Bhushan aka Banrakas and Binod in the acclaimed series Panchayat, are enjoying an outpouring of love after a brief but viral interaction with the Prime Minister in New Delhi.
The moment gained even more traction after Modi shared a video on social media with the caption “Binod se kuch baatein”, accompanied by Panchayat’s iconic title track. The clip quickly spread across platforms, delighting fans of the show.
A surreal moment for two beloved Panchayat stars
Durgesh Kumar described the encounter as a dream come true. The actor revealed that simply being acknowledged by the Prime Minister was enough to make the occasion unforgettable.
However, what made it extra special was hearing one of Panchayat’s most popular dialogues being referenced by Modi himself.
Ashok Pathak echoed the sentiment, saying that people across the country already identify him more by his character name than his real one. Having the Prime Minister address him as Binod and then share the interaction online felt like receiving a major honour.
The actors said their phones have been flooded with congratulatory messages from fans, friends and colleagues ever since the video surfaced.
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How Panchayat transformed their careers
Panchayat has steadily evolved into one of India's most loved web series, with several of its dialogues becoming part of internet culture.
For Ashok Pathak, the “Binod” phenomenon has transcended the show itself. The actor said the constant memes and references have become a source of motivation, pushing him to work harder and make every future character memorable.
Durgesh Kumar also believes that moments like these are reminders that meaningful work eventually reaches the right audience.
He said the recognition has inspired him to continue giving his best to every project, because actors can never predict how far a performance will travel.
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Looking ahead to new opportunities
The duo is currently busy with their respective projects. Panchayat season five is being filmed near Bhopal, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Phulera village politics.
Ashok Pathak will also feature in Storm, a series backed by Hrithik Roshan’s production house, alongside Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F and Saba Azad.
Meanwhile, Durgesh Kumar, who was recently seen in Kartavya, says he is now keen to experiment with urban roles after building a strong identity through small-town and rural characters.
