Showing posts with label Sudhanshu Pandey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sudhanshu Pandey. Show all posts
I had a panic attack and was dealing with it for four years-Sudhanshu Pandey
4:06 PM
Hasti Doshi (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 20, 2026)
For Sudhanshu Pandey, grey and negative roles offer a creative high that straightforward characters often cannot. “There is always a lot more to do in a negative character because obviously it is not tailor-made. There is so much you can do. You can get into different mindsets… you can be eccentric, you can change your body language, change your speech… it offers a lot more scope to be able to perform and create something new.”
He adds, “I’m not saying that I only want to play negative characters. I’ve done so many positive roles too. Actually, today it’s not about the hero and the villain; it’s about playing characters, as long as that character has some substance.”
The Anupamaa actor went through a rough patch and, drawing inspiration from his own life, says he would like to explore darker roles. “I have been through a period in my life when I was in a dark space. I had a panic attack and was dealing with it for four years. I pulled myself out of it. I don’t mind playing a role inspired by a Hollywood film like Joker. On the contrary, I would love to do comedy. I don’t have any definitions for myself; I’m ready to experiment with anything as a character,” he shares.
Reflecting on his TV journey — currently seen in Do Duniya Ek Dil — Sudhanshu says, “My first-ever daily show was Anupamaa … four years I invested in it. It was worth its while because people loved my character. When a character becomes as immortalized as that, it is bound to leave an impact. It is very difficult to remove them from people’s hearts, and going ahead, I would like to be part of more such roles that stay with the audience.”
I will never play Lord Shiva on screen-Sudhanshu Pandey
10:35 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 17, 2026)
Sudhanshu Pandey recently posed for a special Maha Shivratri photoshoot, appearing in the striking Ardhanari avatar — a symbolic representation embodying both Shiva and Shakti. Reflecting on the experience, the actor describes it as nothing short of surreal.
Speaking about how the concept came to life, he shares that the idea was suggested by a makeup artist. “Everybody knows my association with Lord Shiva. I had completely surrendered myself to Mahakal,” he says.
Recalling his reaction during the transformation, he adds, “We began with the Shakti makeup. When she started working on my eyeliner, eyebrows, and eyelashes, I said, ‘My God, I’m falling in love with myself.’”
When asked whether he felt any hesitation about embracing a feminine form, he says, “Not at all. I believe it takes courage to own that side. I am an actor, and portraying diverse characters is part of my journey. But this was different — I was creating Shiv Shakti. For someone who has surrendered to him, it was perhaps the greatest honour. I was simply nervous, hoping everything would turn out well.”
Despite his deep connection with Shiva, he reveals that he has consistently turned down offers to portray the deity on screen. “I never wanted to play Shiva because he is someone I have surrendered to. I’ve been offered the role countless times, but I always declined. I don’t have the guts to play you,” he explains.
Will this photoshoot change his decision? Pandey remains firm. “No, it won’t. This was purely a tribute from a small being created by him — someone completely surrendered. That was my offering, and perhaps that is part of my bhakti,” he signs off.
Ram Kapoor is damaging his own image-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:28 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 28, 2025)
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey has addressed the recent controversy involving actor Ram Kapoor, who came under fire for making inappropriate comments during the promotion of his new show.
Criticising Ram’s remarks, calling them a reflection of “mansik asthirta” or mental instability, Sudhanshu says, “Ram is damaging his own image by making such comments. One must be mentally unstable to say such things, particularly when referring to a woman who is in close proximity. A decent individual should always treat others, especially women, with respect.”
He told FilmiBeat: “If Ram has indeed said something like this, then I apologize on behalf of our entire industry.”
Following the incident, Ram was excluded from any publicity-related activities of the series. He made a series of inappropriate and sexually suggestive comments directed at members of the publicist and marketing teams at a press event. In response, Ram acknowledged that he made the comments in question, but maintained that they were not intended to offend anyone.
You could say we were born into the world of music with Asha Bhosle's blessing-Sudhanshu Pandey
11:05 AM
As his band returns with a single with singer Asha Bhosle, Sudhanshu Pandey shares the experience of working with the veteran
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 25, 2025)
He might be in a transitional phase in his acting career, but actor Sudhanshu Pandey isn’t letting that get him down. The reason? His musical group, Band of Boys, is collaborating with legendary singer Asha Bhosle for their next single.
When asked how the collaboration came about, he says, “When Band Of Boys began in 2002, it was Asha ji who encouraged us. You could say we were born into the world of music with her blessing.”
The band includes actor Karan Oberoi, singer-music director Siddharth Haldipur, and singer Chaitanya (Chin2 Bhosle), who is also Asha’s grandson.
How was it working with someone of her stature? “Her age has nothing to do with her energy levels. She is as vibrant and focused as a 25-year-old. At 92, she is an inspiration to so many of us,” Sudhanshu says.
Talking about the single, which will be released on YouTube, he adds, “We shot some beautiful footage at Asha ji’s Mumbai home; she was kind enough to invite us in. Every meeting with her was an opportunity — we learned so much about how the music industry functioned back in the day.”
The single also marks the end of Sudhanshu’s musical hiatus — he had stepped away from the band to focus on acting but reunited with them last year. The 50-year-old explains, “I was already married and had a child. I had to make sure I earned enough to survive in a city like Mumbai. In India, bands don’t earn like they do in the West. Music is my passion, but I will always be an actor.”
As for acting, Sudhanshu recently wrapped up the television show Anupamaa and is now waiting for a project that excites him. “[Anupamaa] was my first daily soap, and it did well for everyone involved. During that time, I didn’t take up any other work since TV requires a lot of time. I’m now waiting for something good on OTT or in films,” he signs off.
The decision has been sudden, but I am at peace, says Sudhanshu Pandey on quitting Anupamaa
8:16 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 30, 2024)
In a surprising turn of events, Sudhanshu Pandey, popularly known as Vanraj Shah from Anupamaa, announced his departure from the TV show during a live Instagram session. He revealed he hadn’t shot for the daily soap since Raksha Bandhan.
Reflecting on his sudden exit from the show after four years, in an exclusive chat with Bombay Times, Sudhanshu says, “I felt it was time to move on. There can be many reasons, but dwelling on them feels like taking a step back. All I want to say is that 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.”
‘I choose not to add fuel to the fire’
Ever since Sudhanshu announced his exit from the family drama, rumours have swirled that he was forced out. Addressing the buzz, he says, “Whenever something like this happens, stories inevitably start to build around it. I choose not to add fuel to the fire because I have always conducted myself with integrity and dignity. I believe everyone has their perspective, which can lead to conflicts, and I prefer to avoid that.”
He adds, “I have surrendered to Mahakaal and have always believed that He guides me in all my decisions, whether they happen suddenly or are pre-planned. This decision has been sudden. It came unexpectedly and I had to make a choice for reasons of my own. However, everything is positive; my mind is at peace, and I am happy. I see this as a blessing, perhaps the beginning of many more blessings to come.”
‘Vanraj Shah is way too strong a character to fade out’
Many feel that his character has run its course. Did his decision to quit the show stem from that perspective? “Vanraj Shah is way too strong a character to fade out even if he doesn’t get the footage he deserves for a while. So, I never bothered about the arc or graph of my character. The only thing that could worry me was if I was shooting for fewer days, then obviously, one make lesser money (laughs!). I have given the character my all and always strived to make it interesting,” he replies.
‘Once I say I’ve moved on, I mean it’
As far as the possibility of returning to Anupamaa, given that actors often reconcile with makers and return to their shows, Sudhanshu is clear. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. When you decide to move on, looking back can cause you to stumble. I would rather keep moving forward. Once I say I’ve moved on, I mean it,” he asserts.
‘I have no hard feelings towards anyone’
There’s been speculation about a fallout between him and Rajan Shahi, the producer of the show. Ask him about it, and Sudhanshu says, “Rajan is an old friend, and our relationship has always been like that of two brothers. We worked together back when he was starting as a director, long before he became a producer. From my side, nothing has changed in our equation. However, everyone makes their own decisions about how they choose to be with the other person. I have no hard feelings towards anyone.”
‘I want to explore new roles’
Sudhanshu admits he will miss the character, but is excited about what lies ahead. “It’s natural to miss Vanraj, but as an actor, I crave the opportunity to explore new roles and experiment. I dedicated four years to Vanraj, and while I will always cherish that time, I know I have so much more to offer as an actor. I hope to create more memorable characters like Vanraj,” he says.
Sudhanshu Pandey quits Anupamaa
8:10 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (August 30, 2024)
Actor-singer Sudhanshu Pandey became a household name with his stint as the antagonist Vanraj Shah in the television series, Anupamaa, which also stars actors Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna.
Fans of the show received quite the shock after recent buzz suggested that both Ganguly and Khanna would be quitting. However, as it turns out, it is Pandey who has actually bid the show goodbye.
The actor announced the news to fans in an emotional Instagram live on Wednesday evening. He said, “Main pichle chaar saal se roz pahuch raha hoon aap ke ghar ek daily soap ke zariye. Ek kirdar play kar raha hoon jiske liye mujhe bahut saara pyaar aur narazgi mili, but woh narazgi bhi ek tarike se pyaar hi raha hai. Agar aap naraz na hote mere character dekh kar toh mujhe lagta main sahi tarike se nibha nahi pa raha hoon.”
He went on to add, “I want to tell all of you with a heavy heart that I am now not a part of Anupamaa. Raksha Bandhan episode se main show ka hissa nahi hoon, par itne din beet gaye thay aur meri audience mujhse naraz na ho ki yeh bina bataye kaise chala gaya, toh mujhe laga ye meri zimmedari hai ki mai ye baat bataun aap sab ko. Par humein jeevan mein aage badhna hi padta hai toh I want you all to keep loving me always in my future works.”
The actor has not revealed the reason behind his exit. However, producer Rajan Shahi had recently confirmed to us that both Ganguly and Khanna were still very much a part of the show.
Nitesh Pandey was happy with the way work was picking up for him-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:04 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 26, 2023)
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey is at a loss for words after the death of his friend and co-actor Nitesh Pandey. He adds that the actor, who died due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday (May 23), was excited about the work that was coming his way.
“The news has come as a shock to me. It makes me think that somebody who was with us sometime ago, sitting and talking about work on TV and OTT, is no more. He was happy with the way work was picking up for him. He was doing three-four web series, and also had an OTT film in his kitty,” says Sudhanshu.
It was while working on the TV show Anupamaa that the 48-year-old formed a bond with Nitesh. “Whenever he was on the set, he would come to my room and we would talk endlessly. It was one Pandey meeting another Pandey. Since both of us are from Uttarakhand, we had a lot in common. We would talk about OTT and TV, and how the mediums worked well for him,” recalls the actor.
I needed to settle down financially, so had to opt out of A Band of Boys-Sudhanshu Pandey
7:59 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2023)
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who is currently seen in the TV show Anupamaa, used to be a part of the boy band A Band of Boys. However, the actor opted out of the band in 2005. Recently, the band performed at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.
We asked Sudhanshu if he missed performing with the band and he said, “I had performed with them a few years ago even though I wasn’t a part of the band. I don’t miss singing with the band because I consciously moved on in 2005. When we formed the band we were a group of young boys, who travelled throughout the country and did many shows. I was a bachelor then, but later I got married and had a son. I realized I could not pursue a career just as a singer. I had financial responsibilities since I was living in a city like Mumbai.”
He added, “We all know that music bands don’t earn that kind of money in India. If our band was based in the USA, then I am sure it would have been more organized and we would have promoted ourselves better. That would have resulted in all of us doing well. But I felt that it was difficult for it to last and so, I decided to move on and pursue my acting career.”
It wasn’t an easy decision though. Sudhanshu shared how his bandmate Karan B Oberoi was very upset when he decided to leave. He recounted, “Karan was very unhappy and did not want me to opt out. But I had to make that decision.”
Sudhanshu is happy that the band recently performed at the Kala Ghoda festival after many years. “I am very happy for them. One of the members Siddharth Haldipur had also quit a few years ago, but now he is back. I would love to cheer for them and sing along. In fact, I have kept my singing on. Even in my show Anupamaa, you see me sing and at home, too, I have these singing sessions with friends and family,” he says.
I have had financial insecurity many times. That is a part and parcel of our job-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:29 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; November 29, 2022)
In Lucknow for an interactive session at a film festival, actor Sudhanshu Pandey, better known as Vanraj Shah from Anupamaa, made the most of this opportunity to interact with aspiring actors and his fans. He shared, “I always feel good when I get to interact with the newer generation. I feel very responsible when I am asked about my life’s journey because I am also from a small town. I came into this industry all by myself with no godfather and no one to guide or help me. I had zero knowledge about the industry and how things function here.”
Sudhanshu added, “I have had a slow, but steady growth. So today, if I am living in a good house and driving a good car, all these things have been earned through a lot of pain, troubles, ups and downs, and all the internal fights that one goes through living in a city like Mumbai. Life’s quite difficult in Mumbai. And forget about competing with others. . . you have to compete with yourself first and that is really tough. So it was nice interacting with aspiring actors and telling them what goes on into an actor’s life. I also shared the many mistakes that I have made in my career which can be a learning lesson for many.”
What are the mistakes he wished he hadn’t committed? “There isn’t one that I can highlight. When I look back, there were some mistakes that I made, but then I corrected them the next time. For example, I never had a plan when I started. I now think that one should always have a rough plan in mind. Of course, we go with the flow in this field, but there is a certain amount of planning that can help us, so we don’t take random decisions,” he said.
The actor is doing well today, but has he ever felt insecure financially over the years? “I have had financial insecurity many times. That is a part and parcel of our job because there is said that, the overall scenario has improved a lot and one can always save for a rainy day. Also today, there are umpteen channels and a lot of work happening on so many platforms,” he shared.
Coming back to Anupamaa, the show was recently trolled for a track that netizens felt was regressive. When we asked Sudhanshu about it, he said, “The show has been a very progressive show and we have always addressed various relevant issues. What happens is that when you are running a daily soap, the writers are non-stop churning out content. I know viewers have a lot of expectations from the show. Sometimes you run out of ideas and exhaust some plot points, it is human. But again there will be something that will get the audience talking. Television as a medium is extremely difficult because we have to meet the expectations of the audience on a daily basis, which is unreal! You can’t constantly be on top of the game. Everything has its share of ups and downs,” he ended.
Meet Sudhanshu Pandey, Madalsa Sharma, the new BFFs in tellyland
8:13 AM
Sudhanshu Pandey, Madalsa Sharma talk about the camaraderie they share
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 16, 2022)
Onscreen, they may have tension between them, but in real life, Sudhanshu Pandey and Madalsa Sharma are good friends. The two actors, who have been playing Vanraj and Kavya in the TV show Anupamaa for over a year now, share great camaraderie. Recently, they even did a photoshoot together and the reason for the shoot, they say, is so that viewers get to see their real selves. Sudhanshu shares,
“We have been playing grey characters in Anupamaa and have been shown in a different light for the past year-and-a-half. Sometimes people start to believe in those characters they forget the real you. So, that was one of the main reasons to do the photoshoot together where we look like ourselves and what we are in real life.”
Speaking about the the bond they share, Sudhanshu says, “My bond with Madalsa offscreen is very strong. We are very good friends and we understand each other well. She has a heart of gold and is very transparent and honest. I love that about her.”
Madalsa adds, “We are great friends. We don’t have fights off screen! He is a gem of a person, extremely warm and caring. Having worked together for over a year now has made us very comfortable with each other and he’s someone I can trust. He is honest and real.”
True to her fun-loving image, Madalsa is the prankster between the two. She confesses, “It’s so much fun to see his reaction. It is entertaining! Everyone on the set plays pranks but playing one on Sudhanshu is most enjoyable.”
Talking about his prankster pal, Sudhanshu says, “Most of the time, she plays a prank on me. It could be a childish prank, but she loves doing it because that’s the way she is. A lot of people on the set keep playing pranks, it’s part and parcel of being on the set. We all spend so much time together and have a lot of fun with each other.”
There is no question of me quitting Anupamaa; insecurity doesn’t figure in my scheme of things-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:31 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; January 7, 2022)
Sudhanshu Pandey has become popular as Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa, but recently there were rumours of him quitting the show. Ask Sudhanshu and he says, “There is no question of me quitting Anupamaa. I had gone for a holiday with my family to Dubai after a year-and-a-half. Soon after that, I went to Rajasthan to shoot for an OTT project. I guess because of this people presumed that I was planning to quit and yes, the rumour spread like wildfire. My character Vanraj Shah was the hero of the show and will remain the hero.”
Ever since Gaurav Khanna has entered the show and taken over in the show’s storyline, there has been news suggesting ego clashes among the leads and Sudhanshu not being happy with the development.
However, he clarifies, “Firstly, people need to understand, that you can’t keep running the show with just one storyline. Earlier, too, Apurva Agnihotri was roped in for some time. It is a daily soap which, if it needs to run for years, can’t be showing the same faces on a daily basis. As far as insecurity is concerned, I have been in the industry for long enough and have done enough work — insecurity doesn’t figure in my scheme of things! Not many know that Rajan (Shahi, producer), who is an old friend of mine, came to me with the show before he had finalised it with the channel. He even told that only if I said yes, would he make the show. So all this means a lot.”
Why don’t we have National Awards for television?-Sudhanshu Pandey
7:58 AM
The actor plans to start a campaign to garner support and urge the authorities to institute National Awards for the Indian TV industry
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; October 19, 2021)
Indian television has grown by leaps and bounds over the past two decades and is one of the biggest entertainment industries today. In recent years, many award functions have been organised to honour members of the fraternity. But Sudhanshu Pandey has a bigger dream for the small screen and he now wants to work in the direction of fulfilling it. He strongly feels that there should be National Awards for television too, just like films. To take this thought ahead, he plans to launch a campaign to garner support from various quarters, and eventually, approach government officials.
The actor says, “This has been on my mind for a while now and some time ago, I decided to work on it. I have shot a couple of videos, and I hope to spread awareness about this initiative — ‘National Awards For Indian Television’. Today, social media can be a very effective tool to put your ideas across.”
Sudhanshu says, “I’ve been discussing this with people from the industry, and I am sure they are going to support me in it.” Ask him about the inception of this idea, and he says, “I started my career with television in 1998 when I did a show for B R Chopra. Sometime later, I got into films and continued with that and also did web shows. TV happened to me again last year, when producer Rajan Shahi, who’s a friend, offered me Anupamaa, saying he could not see any other actor in that role. That’s when it all began.”
It was during the first lockdown that this thought came to him. “We shot for Anupamaa for a week in March 2020, and the lockdown was announced. During the lockdown, I watched many television shows and got a good understanding of the industry. I realised how television is the most powerful, impactful and influential industry today. In June 2020, we started shooting for our show again, and I have been shooting non-stop since then. The response and the appreciation that I have got for my role is unbelievable. That’s the reach of TV,” says Sudhanshu, further emphasising the need to motivate TV actors, technicians and everyone associated with the medium, so that they keep churning a lot more and better content.
He says, “Television has not got the recognition that it deserves. It’s the only industry that runs 24/7 and 365 days a year. Throughout the pandemic, too, except for a few months, work didn’t stop here. People across all channels, production houses worked relentlessly to provide viewers their daily dose of entertainment. I think their work deserves to be considered for the National Awards. It’s a dream that I have seen, but I want to fulfil it for all of us.”
I want to change my image so that people don’t forget the real me-Sudhanshu Pandey
10:00 AM
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2021)
The world of television is something else, says Sudhanshu Pandey, who’s currently seen playing Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa. Sudhanshu has been a part of Bollywood for many years, but the adulation owing to the TV show is unmatchable. However, he doesn’t want the real Sudhanshu Pandey to be lost in this and is constantly looking to reinvent himself. In a candid chat, he spoke to us about this and more. Excerpts:
You’ve recently got a brand-new photoshoot done and have been talking about a change of image, too. What has prompted this?
I got some new photographs shot. In fact, I planned a proper photoshoot after many years. I did this because I am looking at a certain image change. My character, Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa, is a very strong character and I have been playing that for a year, and yes, I have been getting a great response for it. But I want people to also remember me for what I am. I had started my career as a fashion model and have worked with top designers. So, I felt like doing a different kind of photoshoot where I could pose like a model. I thought let me remind people and tell them that Vanraj Shah is a character you see on TV, but Sudhanshu Pandey is what you can see through these pictures.
You have acted in many films, but somewhere did you ever feel you never really got your due, and it’s only now that things have changed with the TV show?
I have been a part of over 40 films and even played the hero opposite actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Raveena Tandon and Gracy Singh. I also played the villain in one of the most expensive films, 2.0, and did an international film with Jackie Chan. So, I have done a lot of work. When it came to television, I had to think hard before taking up this show. It took a lot of strength to take the leap from the world that I was in into the daily soap world. But I believe God always shows you the way and guides you in the right direction. With Anupamaa, the kind of popularity I have witnessed today is almost unreal, I have never seen this before. It’s a big milestone in my career and one of the best things that has happened to me.
When you were first offered the TV show were you apprehensive, given the perception that the television medium doesn’t have too many powerful roles for male actors?
When I was offered the show by producer Rajan Shahi, there was no title. It was a love triangle and essentially, it was the story of a family woven around these three characters. I never had any apprehensions because, at the end of the day, every character in the show is equally strong and important in taking the story forward. The story may be told from Anupama’s perspective, but it’s everybody’s story.
TV shows can go on for many years. How do you plan to balance it with your other interests?
Yes, TV shows can go on forever, but I haven’t thought about that. It’s just one year that I have dedicated 100 per cent of my time to this show and haven’t touched anything else. Slowly, as time passes by, we’ll see, God will show me the way. Right now, the show is running beautifully, and I have no reason to think of anything else.
You came to Mumbai from Delhi two decades ago. Did you know anyone in the industry then?
No. I had just got married and I came to Mumbai with my wife, who has always been very supportive. I was just brave enough to come here and say, ‘Boss, I am going to pursue my dream and make a life in this city.’ Since I was a model in Delhi, I continued modelling here and then moved to acting. Now, I just want to grow as an actor. I have a dream and it’s not to win an Oscar, but the National Award and make my family proud.
You were part of the music group Band Of Boys, which was formed in 2001, but some time later, you moved on to acting. Is music still on your mind?
I had the privilege of being a part of India’s first boy band and it was great. We performed in India and across the globe and were much appreciated. But gradually, I switched to acting because I had a family to take care of, and music at that time wasn’t financially viable. But I love singing and a couple of years ago, I had launched a single and I am recording another now. I will continue singing because that’s something I am very passionate about.
Bollywood director Raj Kaushal dies of cardiac arrest
7:58 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (July 1, 2021)
Mumbai: Filmmaker Raj Kaushal passed away of a cardiac arrest around 4.30 am Wednesday. He was in his fifties. Kaushal was actress Mandira Bedi’s husband. The couple have two children, 10-year-old Vir and a daughter Tara whom they adopted in 2020. Kaushal began his career as copywriter and went on to produce and direct scores of advertising films. He also directed three movies namely Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Shaadi Ka Laddoo, and Anthony Kaun Hai (2006). He produced ‘My Brother Nikhil’, a sensitive film on the subject of HIV-AIDS.
Kaushal’s sudden death evoked shock and sorrow in the entertainment industry. Actors Ashish Chowdhry, Apoorva Agnihotri, Rohit and Ronit Roy, Manasi Joshi Roy, Sameer Soni and Huma Qureshi arrived to console his wife and children. Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal, Onir, Neha Dhupia, Arshad Warsi, Randeep Hooda, Boman Irani and Shekhar Ravjiani offered tributes on social media. Anupam Kher, Ronnie Screwvala and Sudhir Mishra also expressed sorrow.
Composer Vishal Dadlani tweeted, “The first person to trust me with making music for a film, @rajkaushal created so many careers with #PyaarMeinKabhiKabhi. Above that, he always stood with his friends.”
-------------------------------
BOMBAY TIMES (July 1, 2021)
Filmmaker Raj Kaushal, 49, who made his directorial debut in Bollywood with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999), passed away yesterday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. He is survived by wife Mandira Bedi and children Vir (10) and Tara (4).
The couple had adopted their daughter last year. Raj, who had directed many ads and helmed Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004) and Anthony Kaun Hai (2006), had recently finished wrapping up a web series. While a few friends and colleagues from the industry were present for the final rites, others expressed grief on social media.
Remembering Raj, Onir, whose first directorial venture, My Brother…Nikhil (2005) was co-produced by the filmmaker, said, “He will always be remembered as someone who was always smiling and made everyone feel like a buddy. I am shocked that he left us at this very young age. He extended support for my first film at a time when nobody was willing to, and I give him credit for helping me fulfil my dream of becoming a director.”
Talking about the filmmaker, friend Rohit Roy said, “There is no way one can come to terms with Raj’s passing. He was one of the happiest, positive and vibrant people around. He never had anything negative to say about anyone… nor did anyone have anything negative to say about him. He was the kind of friend anyone would want to have in their life. He stood by people through thick and thin. I will never forgive him for going away without saying goodbye.”
Sudhanshu Pandey, who has known Raj since 24 years, shot with him a couple of weeks ago. “Raj was like a brother to me. I cannot come to terms with the fact that he is no more. We shot for something two or three weeks back and we had a great time on the sets. I didn’t know that it would be the last time I would meet Raj. I couldn’t attend his last rites. But my wife was there. We connected over a video call because I wanted to see him one last time,” he said.
There is no cold war with Rupali Ganguly-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:13 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 26, 2021)
We reached out to Sudhanshu and he said, “These are such silly things that people create. I don’t understand how their minds work. How will I achieve anything in my career by untagging someone? Generally, the practice is to tag people who are associated with the picture and I often copy-paste the link I get from someone on my social media. When the show started, Rupali and I posted many videos together because we were married in the show. Now, I am married to Kavya (Madalsa Sharma), so obviously, we will post videos together to promote the track,” says the actor.
He adds, “Rupali and I are good co-actors and friends, too. There is nothing wrong between us. And a difference of opinion between two actors at times is very normal and can happen any day. There are so many times when you don’t agree on something and get a little upset, but then it is over. And that does not only happen with actors working on the sets, it also happens between two individuals at home. Rift or cold war are too strong words to use.”
Sudhanshu shares how he has many years of experience behind him and has never given any importance to baseless rumours. He says, “I have been around for a long time and worked in 41 films, till now. I have also worked opposite Bollywood actresses, so I will never get into frivolous matters. The title of the show is Anupamaa, but the show revolves around the husband, wife and his lover. It is the story of a family. So, it is normal for people to jump to assumptions around what happens behind the scenes.”
Rupali Ganguly, however, was not available for comment.
Sudhanshu Pandey to feature in Salman Khan’s Radhe
8:07 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; February 20, 2021)
The Singh Is Kinng actor revealed that though he had decided that he won’t be doing any more special appearances in Bollywood, he couldn’t say no to Prabhudheva. He shares, “Earlier, I had shot for a Tamil film, which featured Prabhudheva as the hero, and I played the villain. He had probably kept me in mind, and later, approached me through a casting agency for Radhe. Although I am averse to playing character roles or making special appearances because I have done that quite a lot, I made an exception for Prabhu. I did this film only for him.”
Talking about his equation with the director-choreographer, the actor says, “My equation with Prabhudheva is professional. I have always admired him as an artiste, and I am glad that I got to know him slightly better while shooting for the Tamil film.”
Radhe was originally scheduled to release on Eid last year. However, the plan hit a roadblock owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Sudhanshu says that the delay is justified, considering the fact that it’s a big film. He adds, “The film couldn’t be completed because of the pandemic. The team resumed shoot post the lockdown, but it was and still is a challenging time. When you have given your sweat and blood to a project, you would obviously want to release it at the right time.”
There’s still a spillover of that regression in many shows-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:05 AM
Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 11, 2021)
That TV content has been labelled regressive isn’t something new. Actor Sudhanshu Pandey agrees that it’s been happening for a while now, but he sees a ray of hope. “Things are progressing, but slowly. This change can’t happen overnight,” he opines.
In fact, this is the sole reason the actor himself stayed away from television. “There’s still a spillover of that regression in many shows, but I think the change is inevitable and we can see that happening with the kind of content coming up. In today’s time, content from all over the world is accessible with just a push of a button, so why would viewers settle for something that’s not good enough?” he reasons.
He goes on to say, “We’ve to keep telling relevant stories. If we’re stuck to the same old thing because it did well earlier, now, when our thoughts have evolved, those will obviously seem regressive. TV has immense reach and the power to influence minds... it should be used wisely.”
Having garnered praise with over 40 films in his career, Pandey, 46, confesses that the kind of feedback he’s getting for his TV show is “unfathomable”.
Talk of long-format shows that run for years and how they tend to get monotonous, Pandey says when a show is on air for so long with the same cast, team and subject, it becomes “creatively impossible to be able to bring variety for that long, as everything has a limit”. However, he’s quick to add that he’ll continue with his television stint as long as his show is doing well and he’s satisfied creatively. “But, it won’t be for very long, because I’d definitely not like monotony. I’ll take time out for web and films, too,” he says.
The hate messages initially took a toll on me-Sudhanshu Pandey
8:08 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; October 17, 2020)
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who’s seen having an extramarital affair in the show Anupamaa, has been receiving hate messages on his social media handles. “It is good to know that people hate my character so much, but getting messages like ‘I will chop you into pieces and give them to the dogs’ is too much. It plays on your mind,” he says, adding, “We Indians really drive high on emotions and that is why they, probably, hate me so much, which is a compliment to the actor in me. But the character that I play in the serial is the opposite of who I am in real life. Initially, I was unable to say all those mean dialogues to Rupali (Ganguly), who plays my wife in the serial. Since these things were constantly on my mind, I was toying with the idea of releasing a video online to tell people that I am not like this in real life.”
On the personal front, Sudhanshu has been married for more than two decades now. “Just like every husband, I am scared of my wife, too. I am not like my character Vanraj, who doesn’t fear his wife. In fact, even my wife Mona has told me twice that she hates me because of what I do with my wife on screen, so you can imagine how much hatred I have received from people around me!” he signs off.
A six year girl called me Monisha beta-Rupali Ganguly
8:16 AM
Rupali Ganguly on one of the most successful shows of her career and returning to TV with a tribute to Indian housewives
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 27, 2020)
For Rupali Ganguly, who rose to fame as Monisha in the sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and is returning to the small screen after seven years, life has come a full circle. The actress informs that her comeback show, Anupama, is directed by Rajan Shahi, who was also behind one of her earliest shows, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, back in 2002. “Rajan started my career and is restarting it,” she remarks.
The actress says that she took a break to look after her family and child and was initially sceptical about the new show. “My last day at work was May 31, 2013. The one-month Sarabhai vs Sarabhai shoot in-between was an eye-opener as I realised my child needed me more than anything else, and I needed him,” she shares.
In Anupama, Rupali plays a housewife who feels neglected and says it is a tribute from her to women who dedicate themselves to their families. It also marks a reunion for her and Sudhanshu Pandey. “We hosted the sangeet ceremony of our friend Bappa Lahiri a while ago,” she informs, calling her co-star a ladies’ man. “All my friends from my building want to come to the set to meet Sudhanshu,” she laughs.
Rupali goes on to say that she couldn’t be more grateful for Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, one of the most successful shows of her career. “It has been a monster, growing every day. Recently, a six-year-old girl walked up to me and called me ‘Monisha beta’,” she chuckles.
The second season ended on a cliff-hanger last year. Is Part 3 on the cards? “All of us want it to come back. I made a Sarabhai Whatsapp group for the team and we are in touch. I guess Aatish (Kapadia, writer-director-producer-cast member) bhai and J D (Majethia, producer-cast member) bhai are looking for the right time.”
With 30 million paid viewers, grown-up entertainment genre is finding its niche in online streaming platforms
8:32 AM
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 15, 2019)
“Ek tha raja, ek thi rani, aur phir aayi ek bi*ch,” goes the promo line of Bekaaboo, a web series, which has been adapted from Novoneel Chakraborty’s pulp erotica novel, Black Suits You. The show is about a “bestselling author” being stalked by a fan who is on a mission to wreak havoc in his life. “We all fantasise about being stalked by a good-looking, desirable person,” explains Chakraborty. “Here, the woman is overpowering and has the male lead by his...” He’s not kidding. There is actually an episode in which the stalker jabs the bestselling scribe with a tranquiliser, while he’s in a sauna, before going on to physically stimulate him.
In a scene from another erotica series, set in the hinterland, a man walks in on his wife in bed with a lover. Blinded by hurt and anger, he whips out his gun and points it at them. Instead of pulling the trigger, he demands that the two continue to make love. After some hesitation, the lovers resume, while the husband looks on. Soon, he graduates from spectator to participant, as he gently tears the two apart and pulls his wife’s lover in for a passionate kiss. Before we know it, the three are embroiled in a sloppy ménage à trois. “You will find that in the scene, we see the husband step on the man’s slippers before climbing into bed and engaging in the act,” says Sachin Mohite the director and producer of Gandi Baat about the cinematic flourishes he routinely slips in. “I always add these details, even when they’re not in the script.”
That the show held the No 1 spot on IMDB’s trending list for eight weeks straight, before being trounced by Kabir Singh — a film incidentally panned for its misogynistic storyline — illustrates that there’s a growing appetite for smut served with a dash of desi tadka. These shows are not the only ones to unzip and unhook the fantasies of viewers with stories about well-endowed bhabhis in slinky cholis wielding leather whips. Today, over 30 OTT platforms in India cater to this middle-of-the-road, grown-up entertainment genre with a cumulative paid subscriber base of more than 30 million viewers.
“Porn is easily available and people are bored of watching white people and their fantasies,” says Vibhu Agarwal, the CEO and founder of an OTT platform, which has more than 3.2 million paid subscribers for its risqué content. Agarwal’s streamer finds that plots featuring illicit relationships, such as “between a devar and bhabhi” or that “overtly-sexualised neighbourhood aunty” get a lot of hits. The target audience is clear: Aggarwal says his subscribers are “dominated by the B-segment, which includes rickshawallahs, cooks, watchmen and the like”.
While most of these shows come under the ambit of adult content, the sex scenes featured are not explicit. In one episode, Mohite slips in a mildly risqué scene, a “tease” as he calls it, during a lovemaking sequence filmed in a bus. “I often get messages saying ‘thoda aur dikha dete’, but that’s where I want to leave people — at a point where their imaginations are triggered,” he says.
Mohite says his shows also draw from the experiences of people around him. There’s one episode, which he’s particularly proud of, about a woman who feels insecure because she has small breasts. “The story is inspired by a friend of mine, who was convinced that her to-be husband would reject her once he discovered that she didn’t have a big bosom,” he says. In another episode, “Tharki Buddha”, there’s a lecherous geriatric who preys on his daughter-in-law. “A woman from Delhi, after watching it, mailed me and thanked me for it,” he says. “She said she had to give her husband one look to make him realise what was going on in their house,” says Mohite, who boasts that his friends call him ‘aaj ka Manto’ for baring truths about modern day society.
A common conundrum the makers of such shows face is treading on what constitutes obscene. In Halala, for instance, the series breaks down the practice of ‘nikah halala’, an Islamic law that requires a woman to marry and sleep with another man before returning to her first husband. “In a suhaag raat scene, we captured everything, from their expressions to conversations to kissing, removing clothes and everything else,” explains Deepak Pandey, the director and creative head of the show. “We had to show it that way because the moment was beautiful. There’s nothing unnatural in that.”
Given the surge in popularity of such shows, it’s not surprising that recognised names from film and TV such as Vijay Raaz and Rajpal Yadav (Mona Home Delivery), Narayani Shastri, and even Flora Saini (Gandi Baat) have started featuring in them. Sudhanshu Pandey, a popular actor and model who featured in India’s first boy band Band of Boys, stars in a show that covers the issue of ‘contract marriages’, which take place between bar dancers and patrons of dance bars. “These contracts allow them to do everything one does in a relationship, but the person getting into it must commit to financially supporting the women if they impregnate them,” Pandey says. “Just showing bold visuals won’t cut it now. People today have 100 other options. You need intellectual stimulation as well.”
Media veteran Pritish Nandy credits decades of repression in Hindi cinema to have fueled this specific demand. “We have produced a sexually repressed nation dying to see smut. This is thanks to our oppressive censor policies, which has progressively become more and more regressive over time. It reached its nadir during the regime of Pahlaj Nihalani [former CBFC chief], who tortured every filmmaker that tried to test the asphyxiating boundaries of commercial cinema,” he says.
But Nandy also feels this wave wouldn’t last in the ever-evolving game of streaming content. “[Shows in the West] have a very normal, realistic, healthy and responsible approach to sex. I believe that this will change the entire game eventually in the entertainment business and all smut will disappear underground.”
Bekaaboo is adapted from the erotic thriller Black Suits You
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