"Khakee" Actor Vijay Pandey's Journey: From Cycling Past Patna's Theater to Netflix Stardom

Born in Kolkata but spiritually tied to Pipra village in Bihar's Chhapra district, actor Vijay Pandey knows what it means to chase dreams against all odds.

Pandey, who recently gained recognition for his role as Vakil Singh in Netflix's "Khakee: The Bihar Chapter," never forgot his roots even after moving to Mumbai's entertainment industry.

"The earthy smell of Pipra village became part of my personality," Pandey told this reporter during a recent interview at his Patna home.

His acting journey began unexpectedly when he was still in school. Cycling past Kalidas Rangalaya theater in Patna daily, young Pandey grew curious about the crowds gathering there each evening.

"I was completely mesmerized the first time I entered. The professional stage, lighting, audience applause - it was a new world for me," he said. That day, according to Pandey, "the acting bug woke up inside me."

The path wasn't easy. His family initially opposed his acting ambitions, but they gradually came around when his performances started receiving newspaper coverage and public praise.

Pandey's early career included work with Patna Doordarshan and ETV Bihar, where he learned various aspects of production. "In low-budget projects, one person had to play multiple roles," he explained. This experience proved valuable later.

After failing to get into the prestigious National School of Drama, Pandey worked at a news channel for several years before making a life-changing decision.

"On December 30, 2010, I decided Mumbai was my goal, not the job," he said. He arrived in Mumbai at midnight on New Year's Eve and began his struggle the very next day.

The Mumbai chapter was filled with challenges. "In Mumbai, you don't struggle, you are made to struggle," Pandey observed. He faced numerous rejections and took whatever small roles came his way in TV serials and films.

After fifteen years of persistence, Pandey landed a significant role in the series "Sarpanch Sahab," directed by Shahid Khan. The family-friendly show features veteran actors like Vineet Kumar and Neeraj Sood.

Pandey believes streaming platforms have created opportunities for artists who were previously overlooked. "On OTT, the story is the hero, not the star," he noted.

During the pandemic, Pandey launched a YouTube channel called "GoldenMomentsWithVijayPandey," where he shares his perspectives on films and film personalities. The channel quickly gained popularity.

Through all his struggles, Patna remained his inspiration. "The simplicity, hard work, and flight of dreams here always inspired me," Pandey said.

His life philosophy remains simple: "Keep your mind like a blackboard, so anything can be written on it."

Today, the boy who once cycled past Patna's theater continues to seek good roles while carrying the pulse of his hometown wherever he goes.