Jitendra Kumar, who hails from Khairthal in Rajasthan, frequently visited Delhi during his student days, often catching trains and flights from the capital. According to a Hindustan Times report, reflecting on his early aspirations, Jitendra shared, that he initially wanted to get into IIT Delhi. But he wanted to study aerospace engineering, which was only available in four IITs — Kharagpur, Kanpur, Madras, and Bombay. “So, I ended up missing out on Delhi,” he quoted. Eventually, Jitendra secured admission to IIT Kharagpur, albeit in civil engineering. “One can change branches in college, but it requires a lot of effort in the first year, which I didn’t do,” he admitted.
Despite not switching his engineering stream, Jitendra stumbled upon the Hindi Dramatics Society at IIT Kharagpur. “We used to perform plays adapted from Rabindranath Tagore, Vijay Tendulkar, and Mahesh Dattani,” he recalled. His involvement in theater sparked a passion for acting, leading him to move to Mumbai upon a friend’s suggestion after not securing a job in Delhi. This move marked the beginning of his acting career.
Having prepped for his IIT admission in Kota, Rajasthan, Jitendra had firsthand experience with dedicated teachers who became mentors. “They were personally invested in us, just like my character Jeetu Bhaiyya in ‘Kota Factory,'” he said. This character, a mentor to aspiring engineers, reflects his real-life experiences. “Back then, it wasn’t feasible for teachers in Kota to take a personal interest in every student’s story, but I found teachers who were genuinely dedicated,” he added.
Through his journey, Jitendra Kumar has transitioned from an aspiring aerospace engineer to a celebrated actor, inspiring many with his dedication and passion for his craft. His story is a testament to following one’s passion and the unexpected paths that can lead to success.