Sudhanshu Pandey Finally Addresses Anupamaa Exit, Says ‘I Feel Blessed Yet Scared’

A year after his departure from the popular television show Anupamaa, actor Sudhanshu Pandey, known for his portrayal of Vanraj Shah, has finally opened up about his exit, expressing a mix of gratitude and apprehension about the future. Pandey's exit in August 2024 had stirred considerable buzz among fans, leading to various speculations regarding the reasons behind his decision.

Pandey addressed the swirling rumors, including those about a potential feud with co-star Rupali Ganguly. He stated firmly that he felt no need to share his side of the story amidst the speculation, dismissing the rumors as temporary phases that people would eventually move on from. He had previously stated that "whatever I said was my side of the story, and it was 100 percent the truth. Stories have nothing to do with reality, so don't believe them. All is well; the four years have been fantastic. I will cherish being a part of Anupamaa all my life".

In an exclusive interview, Pandey revealed that the decision to leave Anupamaa was sudden but that he felt at peace with it. "I felt it was time to move on. There can be many reasons, but dwelling on them feels like taking a step back," he explained. He had not filmed for the show since the Raksha Bandhan episode.

Pandey acknowledged the immense love, and even the hate, he received for his portrayal of Vanraj, noting that the latter indicated he was doing justice to the character. "My journey as Vanraj Shah has been incredibly rewarding. I have received immense love and an equal measure of hate from the audience, and the latter makes me believe I did justice to the character,” Pandey said.

Addressing the rumors of a rift with Rupali Ganguly, Pandey stated that engaging in such discussions is a waste of time, dismissing the rumors as baseless. He said that such things "happen because people speak without thinking" and that "there is no substance to it". He also refuted claims that Rupali Ganguly's ego had ruined the show, stating that if that were the case, the show would not have been so successful for four years. He doesn't believe any one person can make or break a show.

Looking back on his time on Anupamaa, Pandey expressed that he had a great run on the show and gained a lot from it. While he misses the people and the atmosphere, he believes it's important to move on and not dwell on the past. He added that announcing his exit publicly on social media was out of a sense of responsibility to his audience, who were wondering about Vanraj's absence.

Pandey revealed that he considers Anupamaa a blessing and that divine intervention played a role in its success. He admitted that after leaving the show and after a career that started with working with Akshay Kumar, he focused on personal growth, and even took pilgrimages. Despite the anxieties about the future, Pandey seems ready to embrace new opportunities, carrying with him the love and lessons learned from his time on Anupamaa.