When you think of Panchayat, you remember the quirky village politics, heartwarming moments, and yes, that one guy staring from the corner — Binod. The meme “Dekh raha hai Binod?” may have made you laugh, but very few people know the real-life journey of the man behind it — Ashok Pathak.
His story isn’t just about becoming a meme sensation — it’s about resilience, rejection, and relentless hope.
Ashok Pathak’s Childhood
Ashok Pathak’s journey began in the dusty lanes of Darveshpur, a small village in the Siwan district of Bihar. Born on January 3, 1985, his childhood wasn’t painted in ease. His father worked in coal furnaces, his uncle sold cotton — both earning just enough to keep food on the table.
Ashok didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, but he had dreams that sparkled — dreams of becoming an actor. But in a village like his, ambition was often laughed at. His friends mocked him, saying, “Hero banega tu?” — questioning his looks, his background, his dreams.
But Ashok wasn’t one to give up.
Ashok Pathak As A Cotton Seller And Factory Worker
While most teenagers were busy studying or playing, Ashok was cycling 20 kilometers daily to sell cotton, just to earn a few extra rupees. He was only in class 9 at the time. He also worked in factories to help his family. He admits that during those years, he went off track. Ashok shared in an interview.
“I was that kid, parents warned their children to stay away from. Smoking, chewing tobacco, bunking school — he did it all.
But somewhere deep inside, the spark of acting never died.
Ashok Pathak Rejection
After moving to Hisar, Haryana, with his family, Ashok completed his schooling and started acting in college theatre. He even won Best Actor at his college fest — a moment that gave him a glimpse of what could be possible.
He then applied to the National School of Drama (NSD), dreaming of following the footsteps of actors like Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav, who would later become his Panchayat co-stars. But NSD rejected him. Ashok was shattered.
“I cried for days. I felt like giving up,” he confessed. But his father stood strong. “Go to Mumbai,” he said. “Don’t give up on your dream.”
Ashok Pathak’s Early Days In Mumbai
Ashok didn’t pack much — just Rs. 40,000, some clothes, and his fire to act. He joined the Bharatendu Natya Academy and then took a step in Mumbai. His first job? At Sony Max for Rs. 2,500. His first big break? A Domino’s Pizza ad that earned him Rs. 70,000 — a fortune for him back then.
He started getting roles in films like Bittoo Boss, but they didn’t do well. And even when he got work, he was mostly cast as nameless side characters — driver, rickshaw puller, security guard. “I was just filling the screen,” he said.
By 2014, the offers stopped coming. Bollywood doors were shutting. So, Ashok tried the Punjabi film industry — struggling, but still surviving.
Ashok Pathak Almost Said No To Binod In Panchayat
When the role of ‘Binod’ in Panchayat Season 2 came to him, Ashok wasn’t excited. He admitted,
“I thought it was just another one-line role. I had played vendors and drivers so many times already. I kept postponing the audition.”
But his friends from the casting team convinced him to show up. Thankfully, he did. That one audition gave India its most meme-worthy character and gave Ashok the recognition he deserved.
Ashok Pathak’s Breakthrough
The showrunners loved his performance, and soon, Binod became a fan favourite. The comic innocence of his character, especially his silent stares and loyalty to Banrakas, brought countless laughs — and made Ashok Pathak a household name.
Today, the same boy who once sold cotton to survive now owns a one-bedroom apartment in Mumbai — a sign that dreams, no matter how delayed, do come true.
Ashok Pathak’s Gritty Journey
Ashok’s journey reminds us that life might throw rejection, ridicule, and roadblocks your way — but with the right push, even small roles can lead to big moments. He wasn’t born into fame. He didn’t have connections. But he had grit — and a father who believed in him.
So the next time you laugh at a “Dekh raha hai Binod?” meme, take a moment to remember the man behind it — and the heartwarming journey that brought him there.
Head over to Cinetales for more inspiring journeys from the world of OTT, Bollywood, and beyond. We bring you real people behind your reel favourites.
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