Sudhanshu Pandey, who became widely known for his role as Vanraj Shah in the hit TV show Anupama, recently revealed the reasons behind his exit. In a candid chat on a podcast hosted by Bakhtyar Irani and Ali Asgar, Sudhanshu, along with his former co-stars Nidhi Shah and Paras Kalnawat, discussed what led him to leave Anupama despite its massive success. The actor cited a mix of physical strain, intense scene demands, and internal show tensions that made it difficult to continue.
Sudhanshu Pandey’s Health Struggles on Set
Since its debut during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anupama has captivated audiences with its dramatic twists, making it one of the most popular television shows. However, with the heavy demands of the role, Sudhanshu’s health took a serious hit. Reflecting on his time in the show, he explained that he was concerned about his character becoming repetitive, which could have led to monotony for the audience. “I felt my character might start boring viewers if it kept going in circles,” he shared.
Nidhi Shah, who played a key role in Anupama, also revealed that Sudhanshu was in considerable physical pain during filming. She mentioned how he had to endure a great deal of discomfort while maintaining a strong front on screen. “People don’t see the pain behind each scene. Sudhanshu couldn’t even stand properly sometimes. He reached a point where he was taking four to five painkillers a day just to manage,” Nidhi explained, adding that his dedication to the role was unwavering even amidst his health struggles.
Tensions on the Set: Was There Friction?
While rumors have circulated that Sudhanshu’s exit may have involved friction with lead actress Rupali Ganguly, he clarified that this was not the case. The cast touched on whether any specific individual contributed to the atmosphere that led to some actors leaving the show. Nidhi addressed these rumors directly, stating, “Rupali is an excellent actress, and there was no direct issue with her.”
However, she did mention that some behind-the-scenes problems existed with a few other members. “We were a team of around ten actors, and yes, two or three people would sometimes create problems,” she said. Paras Kalnawat, who also exited the show two years ago, added that he faced difficulties too, sharing that some of his scenes were cut unexpectedly, which led to his own dissatisfaction with the role.
Paras Kalnawat’s Experience: Struggling with Creative Constraints
Paras, who played a beloved character in the early seasons of Anupama, recalled that his decision to leave was not entirely within his control. He mentioned that the show’s management did not allow actors to leave easily, saying, “There’s no policy to quit; they only let you go if they fire you.” This lack of an exit clause in the actors’ contracts meant that leaving the show was complicated.
Paras admitted that he felt his character’s development was abruptly ended, saying, “I wanted my storyline to continue, but someone on the team cut it short. I’m aware of who was behind it, but in a top-rated show like Anupama, the channel rarely intervenes.” He added that anyone’s complaint on set could influence changes in the storyline without much questioning from the production team.
Nidhi Shah on Her Challenges
Nidhi Shah, who left the show recently, also opened up about facing challenges in Anupama. She explained how some issues around costumes and scenes became sources of frustration, noting that she often felt overlooked when it came to wardrobe and hair styling compared to others. She shared that her scenes would sometimes be shortened or altered last minute. “There were many times my look was changed without proper discussion. It happened frequently, and that definitely affected my motivation,” she shared.
Sudhanshu’s Final Thoughts on Leaving ‘Anupama’
Sudhanshu emphasized that each action has a reason, and for him, the choice to step away from Anupama felt like the right decision at the time. He acknowledged the challenges but focused on maintaining a positive outlook. “Every event in life has a purpose. Focusing on why something happened only gets us stuck,” he said, choosing to look forward rather than dwell on the past.
While the actors have moved on to new projects, they expressed a sense of gratitude for the opportunities and exposure that Anupama brought them. For Sudhanshu Pandey, Anupama was a transformative experience that allowed him to reach a broader audience. Despite the ups and downs, his performance as Vanraj Shah will remain memorable for fans of the show.
