Sunita Rajwar Was Paid ₹2,000 a Day - Now She’s A Panchayat Favourite With A Film That Reached Cannes & Oscars

For years, Sunita Rajwar quietly carved her place in the entertainment industry, balancing resilience with resolve. Today, she’s known to millions as Bittu Ki Mummy from 'Gullak' and the formidable Kranti Devi in 'Panchayat'.

It took years of persistence — and the shift to OTT — for the tide to turn for Sunita Rajwar

Source : Prime Video

For years, Sunita Rajwar quietly carved her place in the entertainment industry, balancing resilience with resolve. Today, she’s known to millions as Bittu Ki Mummy from 'Gullak' and the formidable Kranti Devi in 'Panchayat'. But this recognition didn’t come easy — it was built over decades of underappreciated work, early typecasting, and a deep love for performance that refused to fade.

Sunita Rajwar's acting journey

Rajwar’s journey began in 1998, when she made her television debut with a brief appearance in CID. In the years that followed, she featured in several popular shows including Aahat, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Ramayan, and Hitler Didi. But in a revealing conversation with Digital Commentary, the actress shared how her early years on television came with a frustrating pattern — being repeatedly offered maid roles.

Why Sunita left the television industry

In a podcast with Digital Commentary last year, Sunita Rajwar jokingly said that if would have done a few more ‘maid’ roles, her name would have been in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

Like many actors trying to break the mould, Sunita faced the industry’s rigid stereotypes. The frustration eventually pushed her to walk away from television, even as her daily wage on set was a modest ₹2,000. While her pay improved with time, she says the appreciation for her craft remained limited.

“I had seen many of my senior artists who started saying that it doesn't matter, this much money comes every month. So, I thought that I didn't want to become that person who thinks that even if I am just standing for work, it doesn't matter, the money comes anyway because then you get used to it and you are needed. Then you suppress your desire and do some invaluable work. Your self-respect ends and you don't have any choice. I felt that if I didn't take care of myself now, I might also become like them," she said.

It took years of persistence — and the shift to OTT — for the tide to turn.

Gullak and Panchayat made her a breakout celeb

Her breakout came with 'Gullak', where she portrayed Bittu Ki Mummy — a performance that resonated with both critics and audiences. It wasn’t just a role; it was a turning point. The acclaim led to 'Panchayat', where her portrayal of Kranti Devi, firmly established her in the digital landscape.

Cannes and Oscar journey

Adding another feather to her cap, Sunita Rajwar made her presence felt on the global stage with 'Santosh', a critically acclaimed film that was screened in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film, which went on to become Britain’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars, saw Sunita in a powerful role as one of the two female police officers at the heart of the story.