EXCLUSIVE: ‘Vanraj Shah’ Sudhanshu Pandey Recalls Slipping Into Dark Phase While Shooting Anupamaa; Reveals, “I’ve Even Had To Take Medication”

After a successful modelling career, Sudhanshu Pandey made his television debut in 1999 and soon entered films with Khiladi 420. He gained popularity as a member of India’s first boy band, A Band of Boys, and later transitioned into Tamil cinema. Known for his role in Anupamaa (2020–2024), and recently appeared in The Traitors India (2025). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Sudhanshu Pandey reveals going into a dark phase while shooting Anupamaa as Vanraj Shah.

Sudhanshu Pandey On Going Into Dark Space While Shooting Anupamaa

When asked if it becomes difficult for actors to come out of a dark phase/space for playing a character, Sudhanshu Pandey said, “It’s difficult sometimes. It is very difficult because, you know, I have gone through it. I have touched upon certain spaces where it’s been hard for me to get back to normal on an immediate basis. It takes a little time—maybe a few days sometimes. That’s why, in Hollywood, you hear of actors like Dustin Hoffman who played certain characters and had to go to rehab for a few months afterwards. So yeah, you’ve got to be willing to take that risk, you know? And for an actor, I think… You need to know where to draw the line when you’re playing a certain character.”

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He added, “That’s where someone like me, who is a very balanced person, comes in. I know that I can go into that space and come back. I mean, I do get affected—naturally. It’s happened to me even in a show like Anupamaa. I’ve touched on dark spaces, and it’s hit me very hard. It’s taken a toll on me, too. You know, I’ve even had to take medication for pain and aches sometimes, because I’ve gone so deeply into the character. But that’s just how I am as an actor. I don’t care whether it’s television or OTT—I give my 100% to everything I play.”

Sudhanshu Pandey On Being Grateful For Anupamaa

Sudhanshu Pandey added on being a part of TV Serial Anupamaa, he said, “I’ve been thoroughly grateful for what Anupamaa did for all the people involved with the show, right? I would never say, ‘No, I don’t want to do it anymore.’ That’s not the case. It’s about the fact that I’ve played a character for four years, and now I’m exhausted playing that same character. I would like to end it. It’s been four years since I’ve given to it, and I’m just tired of the scenario in terms of how much I had to give there for four whole years. I would like to move into a space where I can play a character in a series, right? I could play it for maybe two to three months, and then move on to another character.”

In conclusion, he said, “That way, over three to four years, I can portray different characters and try to create more iconic ones across various platforms, instead of giving all my time to just one medium. So, I’m very grateful for what Anupamaa has done. It brought a tremendous amount of popularity to everyone. And the television audience is very different from any other audience. The film audience is very different. The OTT audience is very different. The music audience is very different. Every genre has its own unique audience, and their love is expressed very differently. You know? So, I’ve explored one medium, and now I want to explore the others. And I want to enjoy that.”

Watch The Full Interview

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sudhanshu Pandey Calls Reality Shows ‘Dirty, Ugly And Full Of Notorious, Abusive People’; Reveals Why He FINALLY Said Yes To Participating In One

Neola Dsouza

With a deep-rooted passion for all things entertainment, Neola Dsouza is a 25-year-old entertainment Enthusiast at Bollywood Bubble. She brings a sharp eye for detail and a genuine enthusiasm for cinema. Her expertise lies in crafting compelling stories, and delivering insightful coverage of the entertainment world. She has previously worked in public relations and was part of the editorial team at Miss Malini, further honing her skills in content creation.