You must have surely noticed that the new Sachiv Ji (Secretary) in Amazon Prime’s blockbuster series Panchayat—the one who stole the show with just a brief appearance towards the end. Vinod Suryavanshi, the actor who played that role, is currently making headlines—not for his acting prowess, but for the deep personal wounds he carries; a story so poignant it would move anyone to tears. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Vinod opened up about the struggle and pain hidden behind his success—hardships he had kept buried deep within his heart for years.
Is It True?
Here is a summary of the revelations Vinod Suryavanshi shared regarding his personal life and career during the interview:
Personal Experiences: He faced severe caste discrimination in his native village in Karnataka.
Work Experience: Before breaking into acting, he genuinely worked as a liftman, an office boy, and a security guard.
Film Career: Apart from Panchayat, Vinod has also appeared in films such as Satyameva Jayate and Jolly LLB
My Parents Used to Weep During Festivals” — The Bitter Reality of Village Life
Vinod reveals that, even in this modern era, the roots of casteism run deep in his village in Karnataka. He shared several anecdotes that are truly thought-provoking.
A Village Divided: To this day, the village remains segregated, with distinct residential areas designated for upper-caste communities and Dalits.
The Restaurant Incident:
Vinod recalled an incident from when he was 12 years old; he had gone to a restaurant with his father. After finishing their meal—and despite having paid the full bill—they were forced to wash their own plates.
Temple Restrictions: He disclosed that, even today, people from his community are forbidden from entering the village temple.
A Tearful Diwali:
“In my childhood, festivals like Diwali brought not joy, but sorrow. We couldn’t celebrate like everyone else. Our hearth would only be lit—and a festival truly celebrated in our home—if someone else happened to offer us something.”
Home Circumstances and Childhood Struggles
Vinod’s childhood was spent amidst not only social discrimination but also poverty and domestic strife. His mother worked as a domestic helper in other people’s homes, while his father was a handyman.
“Dad didn’t get work every day. Whenever he couldn’t find work, he would come home drunk and physically abuse my mother. I grew up witnessing all of this.”
From a ₹1,600 Job to the Sets of ‘Panchayat’
Before tasting success, Vinod sweated it out on the ground level:
Liftman: His first job was as a liftman, where he earned a mere ₹1,600 per month.
Security Guard: He worked as a security guard, standing on his feet for 12 hours at a stretch. He recalls, “During the rains, my shoes would fill with water, and people would hurl abuses at me.”
A Career Lesson: Vinod believes that while the world often claims that “no job is too small,” in reality, society accords respect to an individual solely based on their work and social standing.
Today, Vinod Suryavanshi is a recognized name. Beyond ‘Panchayat’, he has proven his mettle by playing supporting roles in films such as ‘Satyameva Jayate’, ‘Jolly LLB’, and ‘Thama’.
Vinod’s story teaches us that talent is not beholden to one’s identity or caste; it simply requires passing through the fire of adversity to be honed to perfection.
