Panchayat actor Saanvika, known for her role as Rinki, has revealed that she declined to perform a kissing scene in Season 4 of the hit Prime Video series. Her decision, rooted in personal discomfort and concern for the show’s family-oriented audience, was respected by the creators, who subsequently altered the script while maintaining the narrative flow.
Speaking to YouTube channel Just Too Filmy, Saanvika recounted how director Akshat Verma initially narrated a scene where her character Rinki and Sachiv Ji (played by Jitendra Kumar) share a kiss after a moment in the car. “So I said give me two days to think whether I am comfortable doing it or not,” she shared. “Then I thought that Panchayat has all kinds of audiences, but mostly family people… and I was also not comfortable. So I refused.”
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Scene Replaced With ‘Tank Moment’, Jitendra Kumar Praised for His Support
Instead of the kissing scene, the creators included an alternate “tank scene” that kept the essence of the moment between the characters without compromising Saanvika’s boundaries. “They said that we will not shoot it in a vulgar way. But when we were shooting, it felt awkward,” she admitted. “Jeetu is a very nice person. He makes you feel comfortable.”
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Saanvika also revealed that her family, while unaware of this particular decision, continues to support her journey. “They are happy that I am associated with a series like Panchayat,” she said.
The actor also shared her personal story, having moved to Mumbai without informing her family to pursue acting independently. Her story mirrors the values of Panchayat, a show beloved for its relatable characters, clean humor, and slice-of-life storytelling set in the fictional village of Phulera.
