Actor Chandan Roy Says Village Fan Proved Panchayat’s Nationwide Appeal

Actor Chandan Roy realised his web series Panchayat had become a hit when a boy in his Bihar village stopped him for a selfie and praised the show. Roy had left a full‑time journalism job and moved to Mumbai, taking small television roles for a year before Panchayat premiered in 2020. The series launched during the Covid‑19 pandemic, which helped it reach viewers far beyond metros. While returning to his home village of Mahnar with his uncle on a bike, the fan’s excitement confirmed the show’s wide appeal. The encounter made Roy feel his career was changing. He said the recognition now lets him pick roles instead of taking any part that comes his way. He avoids being typecast as a “hero’s friend” and wants characters with proper backstories. Working with veteran actor Raghubir Yadav taught him the value of preparation; Roy noted Yadav reads his script repeatedly, even keeping it open on his bedside table as if studying for an exam. Roy also stars in the short‑film Aakhri Ride, presented by Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala, written and directed by Yashoda Parthasarthy and Vijesh Rajan and produced by Ranjan Singh, Vishesh Agrawal, Rajan EPK and Anurag, now streaming on the YouTube channel Oh Short Flips.

Context

During the pandemic many Indian viewers turned to OTT platforms, allowing regional shows like Panchayat to find audiences in small towns as well as big cities.