Panchayat's 'Vidhayak ji' Pankaj Jha, on his tiff with director Anurag Kashyap, calls him'spineless’ for replacing him in 'Gangs of Wasseypur'

Pankaj went on to reveal that when the call came from Anurag Kashyap, he was shooting for a movie in Patna, and he had said that he would be back in two days. (Image via Instagram)

Actor Pankaj Jha, who was seen in Panchayat, has claimed that he was the first choice for the role of Sultan in the hit film 'Gangs of Wasseypur', which eventually went to Pankaj Tripathi.

Pankaj Jha, who is seen playing the role of Vidhayak Ji in the 'Panchayat' series, told Digital Commentary in an interview that he was first in talks with director Anurag Kashyap to play the role of Sultan Qureshi in 'Gangs of Wasseypur'.

Pankaj went on to reveal that when the call came from Anurag Kashyap, he was shooting for a movie in Patna, and he had said that he would be back in two days. The actor, who was seen in Anurag Kashyap's 'Gulaal' and 'Black Friday,' said the director had promised him that role, but by the time he returned, Pankaj was already finalised.

Sultan Qureshi was an important and prominent character in 'Gangs of Wasseypur'.

Pankaj Jha also spoke about filmy politics and said that he was not bothered by the filmy politics.

When asked if Sultan's career would have changed his career, Pankaj said he is happy with the way his career has shaped up and doesn't want to look back.

"While films like 'Satya' and 'Gulaal' create actors, they also make directors. But there are so many timid and spineless people here that they can’t even keep their word," he said.

But he further said, “Nevertheless, I still love Anurag very much and have no complaints against anyone.”

Pankaj Jha was from the National School of Drama (NSD) and became famous after playing the role of Vidhayak Chandrakishore Singh in the hit series Panchayat.

His first role was in Mira Nair’s 'Monsoon Wedding' (2001) and was also seen in films like 'Company' (2002), 'Matrubhoomi' (2003), 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi' (2003), and 'Anwar' (2007).