Outlook Planet C3: 'Panchayat' Actor Jitendra Kumar's Mantra to Avoid 'Plastic Bottles'

IIFA-winning actor Jitendra Kumar today shared a refreshing anecdote at the Outlook Planet C3 Summit and Awards, revealing his habit of using a clay pot for drinking water for the last six years. He believes that even it is a small effort at his level towards sustainability, it can be very impactful.

"Six years ago when we started shooting for Panchayat [web-series], I asked for water on set, which by the way, was the actual sarpanch's [village head] home. They offered me water from a clay pot—which I had  not seen in a very long time. It actually tasted different from regular water, which stuck in my mind,"  Kumar recalled.

"Since that day, I have been keeping a clay pot with me and I carry it to my sets and even hotels during longer stays. It's a small effort, but helped me reduce my plastic [bottle] usage significantly. Then health benefits are a bonus," said Kumar, in conversation with Sandipan Dalal.

While speaking at "The Role of Entertainment in Climate Action" session, the ‘Kota Factory’ actor also spoke about the subconscious influence of films and web series over people and their choices. 

He believes that films can leave an impact on the audience, if environment-friendly behavior is conveyed properly. "However, we must try to learn from our surroundings and environment rather than relying on films completely, which is primarily a source of entertainment," he emphasised.

During his candid conversation, Kumar recounted how his brother became curious about solar energy after watching one of the episodes of Panchayat featuring a solar-powered light. This, he believes, highlights how good story-telling can spark conversations around sustainability and the.

Kumar further noted that adopting environmentally conscious habits does not always require significant effort or cost. “If we make environment-conscious decisions at our level, then eventually it will lead to something better and greater,” he concluded.