Junior Mr. Bean: Jatin Thanvi’s Indian Take on the Iconic Character

Just months before India banned the Chinese app TikTok, Jatin Thanvi was active on the platform. At that time, he was 20 years old and studying architecture. He initially made simple dance trends and challenge videos on the app.

However, he felt the need to try something different.

He then decided to create videos imitating the popular 90s television character ‘Mr. Bean’. His first video was posted shortly after this idea. Jatin naturally resembled Mr. Bean, a fact his friends often noted.

Wearing outfits similar to Mr. Bean’s, he quickly went viral on TikTok. His videos amassed over 56 million views in a short span.

Since then, his identity transformed; his career path changed. Today, Jatin is known as the ‘Junior Mr. Bean’—the Indian Mr. Bean. Many recognize him by this name, which he embraces wholeheartedly.

He follows the character famously played by Rowan Atkinson in the 1990s and 2000s, adding innovation by adapting Mr. Bean to an Indian cultural backdrop.

Similar to Mr. Bean’s minimal dialogue but expressive mannerisms and facial expressions that make audiences laugh, Jatin uses the same style.

Out of respect for Mr. Bean, Jatin regularly wears a tie and blazer in his videos. He is also seen carrying a teddy bear just like Mr. Bean’s companion, and mimics Mr. Bean’s distinctive, muffled voice.

Currently, he participates in various events where he showcases different performances inspired by Mr. Bean.

Why Mr. Bean?

According to Jatin, many people have told him since childhood that he looks like Mr. Bean. He himself is a big fan of the character. In school and village fancy dress competitions, he often dressed as Mr. Bean.

He admired Mr. Bean’s style of making people laugh through gestures without spoken words. In an interview, Rowan Atkinson described Mr. Bean as a child trapped in an adult’s body.

Since children’s behavior is largely similar across cultures, it resonates universally, a notion that deeply influenced Jatin.

He was shy and lacked confidence growing up, often fearing losing friends due to conflicts.

Watching Mr. Bean on screen helped him overcome his problems, as the character does not conform to social rules and is unaffected by others’ opinions.

Jatin explains that Mr. Bean represents someone who needs no one else and does not care what others think. This inspired Jatin to realize self-sufficiency, boosting his confidence.

He then understood that acting was a way to express and liberate himself from fear, shyness, and oddness, leading him to become Junior Mr. Bean.

His work has successfully connected the new generation with Mr. Bean, and Jatin enjoys the journey immensely.