This IITian left a high-paying job for acting. Now he stars in a Rs 270 crore hit

Jitendra Kumar’s journey from IIT Kharagpur to the big screen is far from the conventional success story associated with an engineering graduate. The actor, known for playing Jeetu Bhaiya in Kota Factory and Abhishek Tripathi in Panchayat, is now part of the successful Mirzapur: The Movie, which has crossed the Rs 270 crore mark worldwide, according to recent box-office reports.

But before becoming a familiar face on television, streaming platforms and films, Kumar had to make an uncertain choice between a stable career and acting.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryFROM IIT KHARAGPUR TO THEATREBorn in Khairthal, Rajasthan, Kumar studied civil engineering at IIT Kharagpur. During college, he became involved in theatre and was associated with the Hindi Technology Dramatics Society.

His time at IIT also brought him in contact with Biswapati Sarkar, who later became a key creative figure at The Viral Fever, or TVF. Sarkar recognised Kumar’s acting ability and eventually invited him to join the digital content company.

Kumar completed his engineering degree in 2012 and moved towards acting, despite having no established film-industry background.THE VIDEO THAT CHANGED HIS CAREER

Kumar’s early days in Mumbai were not easy. He worked on TVF projects and initially struggled to find momentum. In interviews with Scroll and Filmfare, he recalled leaving Mumbai for a period after facing uncertainty and even considering other options.

His breakthrough came with Munna Jazbaati: The Q-tiya Intern, a TVF sketch released in 2013. The video became popular online and reportedly crossed three million views. Its success brought Kumar wider attention and helped establish him as a performer who could turn ordinary, relatable characters into memorable ones.

Kumar has also spoken about briefly taking up a job in Bengaluru after leaving Mumbai. When he learnt that his TVF video had gained traction, he returned to acting. (Photo: Instagram/@jitendrak1) THE TVF YEARS MADE HIM A DIGITAL STAR

Kumar went on to appear in several TVF sketches and shows, including Permanent Roommates, TVF Pitchers and TVF Bachelors.

His role as Jitendra Maheshwari in TVF Pitchers further popularised him among young viewers. In Permanent Roommates, he played a confused but relatable character, while Kota Factory gave him the role that would become one of his most recognisable performances.

As Jeetu Bhaiya, a mentor figure for students preparing for competitive examinations, Kumar developed a strong connection with audiences.FROM JEETU BHAIYA TO SACHIV JI

Kumar’s popularity grew further with Panchayat, where he plays Abhishek Tripathi, an urban graduate who becomes a government secretary in the fictional village of Phulera.

The series, released on Prime Video, became one of India’s most popular streaming shows. Kumar’s performance combined humour, frustration and vulnerability, helping him move beyond the comic roles associated with his early TVF work.

He also entered mainstream cinema with films such as Shuruaat Ka Interval, Gone Kesh, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Chaman Bahaar, Jaadugar and Dry Day. His role in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, opposite Ayushmann Khurrana, marked an important step into commercial Hindi cinema. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jitendra Kumar (@jitendrak1)A BIGGER SCREEN, A BIGGER HIT

Kumar’s latest major project is Mirzapur: The Movie, where he plays Bablu Pandit, a character associated with the original series. The film has delivered a strong theatrical run and crossed Rs 270 crore worldwide, according to box-office reports.

For an IIT graduate who once left Mumbai after struggling to find acting work, the milestone represents a remarkable change in trajectory.

Kumar’s story is not simply about leaving engineering for films. It is about trying, stepping away when things did not work, returning when an opportunity emerged and gradually building a career through characters audiences recognised as their own.- EndsPublished By: Roshni Published On: Sep 16, 2026 11:03 ISTRead | 7 Bollywood Celebs Who Studied at IITRead | The phone dropped...: Story of Jitendra Kumar's humility and unassuming successRead | Exclusive: Jitendra Kumar remembers junior dying by suicide on first day of IIT