From asking the astrologer 4 times before agreeing to do Anupamaa to his reason for quitting the show; Sudhanshu Pandey makes interesting revelations

Sudhanshu Pandey has been in the headlines ever since he made an exit from the show. Now, in a podcast with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa Sudhanshu gets candid about his journey with Anupamaa. From being friends with Rajan Shahi to why he chose to leave the show, here's what Sudhanshu shared:

I was already doing web shows before TV, but then at that time COVID was setting in and all the businesses were shutting down. The only thing which was active was TV. And at that time I got Rajan's call for Anupamaa. He was planning a show and only if I would say yes. Rajan is my old friend, when he was starting out as a director we worked together. Bhatt sahab used to produce, Rajan would direct and I used to act. I have done TV in those days when there used to be those 2 hour long episodic.

When Rajan shared one line about the show I was quite intrigued but I was quite sceptical about doing a daily soap as this was my first show. Rajan also helped me a lot and for a month or more we had workshops. I am also into astrology and I asked 4 times to my astrologer whether he was sure that I should do Anupamaa and he asked me to do it.

In one of the shows you both had done a skit on Anupamaa and Haarsh made 'Vanraj Shah is back' so iconic. I still get memes of that and even Bharti's 'Anupamaa is front' became a huge hit. It was just so hilarious and entertaining. Haarsh reveals that they went to the same gym as they used to live in the same building.

That happened to me as well, the advantage with me was that I had been working for so many years so they knew Sudhanshu Pandey, still when you play such a character it can be so overwhelming especially how Vanraj was. The biggest advantage was that it wasn't an author-backed character, there was nothing defined so I had an open playground. Jitna usko atrangi bana na tha Maine banaya.

I had done many things, suddenly breaking into laughter, a song or changing the tone of the character. I used to do it all and I made Vanraj unpredictable, so that became so strong in people's minds, Bharti added, 'That is why nobody is able to do that character again.'

I feel 4 years is a very long time, especially for an actor like me who has done more than 50 films, did South Cinema, Hollywood and after that, I did a TV that too show that turned iconic and after doing Vanraj, I felt that I did it for 4 years and there wasn't anything left to give to the character. So I felt that as an actor my account was getting empty and I wanted to leave till the character was strong, I didn't want it to go downhill. Aise time pe chhoda, when people want for more.

I keep getting messages about when am I coming back, despite knowing that the leap has happened. Vanraj ka bharosa nahi firse kale baal lekee aa jayega. He had hid in one of the Himalayan caves and didn't age.