‘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.
Sudhanshu in a still from Anupamaa
‘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.”
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‘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.